Yak-23 Flora repaint by MacSongLi

[Isaac]

I will start this as a regular build log in case others have the original Modelik kit.


AT first, I start with getting all the frames ready.


For this I used the original Modelik model since no changes are made here. It builds the same way.


and start assembling the center fuselage framing.



Isaac

[MacSongLi]

Isaac,


It's always a pleasure to see one of your detailed build logs. Great detailed photos, and instructions.


Thanks,
Gary

[Isaac]

At this point, we need to assemble the cockpit tub


and fit


glue into the frame.


and the seat. Glue it later when more details are added.



Isaac

[Isaac]

The aft fuselage is a one piece wrap around with cutout for the cockpit

here it is


the cut out and clear plastic window for the submerged Direction Finder.



rounded



ready to attach to the frame.




Isaac

[Isaac]

At this point mate the aft section to the frame and the cockpit tub making sure it does not bind anywhere


now add some more cockpit details



and its ready for the forward sections.



Isaac

[MacSongLi]

Isaac. Nice work on the fuselage and the cockpit, they're both looking nice. Looks like you've done this before.


Gary

[Isaac]

A bit of technical background

The forward section of the Yak-23 contains the air inlet, nose gear, guns and most importantly the radial or centrifugal flow compressor jet engine. The initial jets were derivatives of propeller driven fighters ( Yak-3 ) in which the internal combustion engine and prop in the nose were removed and a jet engine was installed in the same location exhausting from below. This was initially done on the Yak-15 and 17. The Yak 23 was a new plane design, but still retained the engine position of the earlier Yak jets. Needless to say, that arrangement was abandoned in favor of placing the jet engine behind the cockpit thus improving the pilot's visibility and improving the aircraft handling.

Here is the first Yak-15 configuration which had a modified German WW2 Jumo 004 engine


and the Yak 23 with a locally unlicensed manufactured RR Derwent engine ( Klimov RD-500 )
( cutaways from the internet on both ).



The build.
this version will not have an engine built ( that is an intriguing thought which I may consider for a later project like my Mig-15 UTI I did last year ).

Here are the parts


the nose inlet bifurcation ( which houses the nose landing gear ). Add the clear plastic for the landing gear light.


added weight behind the inlet ( as it turned out later, I needed to triple that amount ).


Nose section ready




Isaac

[Isaac]

Here are the forward and aft half sections ready for mating




and joined




now add the belly heat shield



Isaac

[MacSongLi]

Fuselage looks great Isaac. What did you use to hold the nose weights in place?


Gary

[Don Boose]

Another excellent model and another most interesting and enlightening thread, Isaac.

Don