1/72 Jak-1b

The Yakovlev Yak-1b was one of the most famous Soviet fighter aircraft of World War II and represented an important milestone in the development of the entire Yakovlev family of fighters. The creation of the "b" version was the result of gradual modifications to the basic Yak-1 type, which received a major upgrade in June 1940: lowering the rear fuselage and installing a drop-shaped cockpit canopy significantly improved the pilot's view, while the introduction of a retractable tail wheel, a new VISz-105 propeller and an oil cooler taken from the Yak-3 increased performance and aerodynamic cleanliness. Armament was strengthened by replacing the two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns with one 12.7 mm UBS heavy machine gun while retaining the 20 mm ShVAK gun. After successful state trials in July 1942, the machine was designated Jak-1b (older literature sometimes incorrectly states Jak-1M, which was actually a prototype of the later Jak-3).

The Yak-1b first appeared en masse in the battles of Stalingrad and Kursk in 1942-1943, where it was considered an equal opponent to the German Messerschmitt Bf 109F and the British Spitfire Mk V. The machines remained in combat service until the end of the war and flew not only in Soviet units but also in Allied formations - for example, in the French regiment "Normandy-Niémen", in the Polish 1st Fighter Regiment "Warszawa" or in the three fighter regiments of the Yugoslav Air Force of National Liberation.

The Arma Hobby 1:72 scale kit is a new edition of the popular bestseller. It includes grey and clear plastic, a new clear moulding with two variants of the cockpit (open/closed), Arma Hobby Jig for precise alignment and geometry of the landing gear, Cartograf decals for two variants of markings, cover masks for the cockpit and wheels, instructions and a QR code or link to a 3D printable file with details (seat tub with straps, exhaust outlets, radiator grilles, landing gear scissors). Variants of the markings include the Yak-1b No. 4 of the 1st Squadron of the Polish 1st Fighter Regiment "Warszawa", piloted by Staff Sergeant Edward Chromy at Zadybi Stary in the summer of 1944, and the Yak-1b of the 31st Guards Fighter Regiment, piloted by Major Boris Nikolaevich Jeremin in 1943 (the machine modified for aerial reconnaissance photography). The package does not include the paint or glue needed for assembly.