LaGG-3 "44 Fighter Regiment"

I came across this ICM kit for $10 while taking a weekend trip with my wife and I couldn't pass it up. ICM doesn't have the best reputation, but this kit was well detailed and overall quite good. It is definitely not for the beginner modeler because it does have some semi-serious fit issues at the engine cowling and trailing edge of the wing roots, as well as a lot of flash. Another area to watch out for is the fit of the wings and fuselage; the fit is too tight and causes the wing dihedral to vanish. There are also a couple of sink marks under the cockpit, but all of these problems are solvable. The pros to this kit are all the different cowling and exhaust options provided and a well-detailed cockpit. With a bit of research, know-how, and enginuity one can make almost any version of the LaGG-3 from this kit.

Another thing about the ICM kit is that the "Series" designations are confusing and probably incorrect. The LaGG-3 series assignment is very convoluted and depends on where and when the aircraft was made. I found a source that can help explain the early LaGG series with drawings of aircraft from each factory and may shed some light on why there is such a wide range of styles and explanations for them. Click here to link to this sight.

I chose to do "White 14" of the 44 IAP stationed near Leningrad in the fall of 1941. My original source (clike here to linke to this source) states that it was made at State Factory 153 in Novosibirsk. Having lived in Novosibirsk, this was the main reason I chose the subject. However, after some more research, it appears that the aircraft was made at Factory 23 in Leningrad, which makes sense since it was stationed at Leningrad and the oil cooler intake, tail wheel, and radiator outlet cutout are consistent with those produced at this factory.

The paint scheme uses the standard Green/Black colors, but is unique in its application. My original source calls it a "Bukhanova tiger-stripe" cammouflage, and this may be the real test to see which source was correct; where was Nadia Bukhanova working at the time this aircraft was produced? Either way, I used the kit stars and painted the white 14 numerals using a sticker stencil drawn from MS Paint. I really like this kit, and if you're willing to do a bit of research, you can modify this kit to whatever early-series LaGG-3 subject you wish.