**** DONE: 1/48 Yak-1b Lilya Litviak, the VVS - Aircraft of the Aces GB.

[N4521U]

Username: N4521U
First name: Bill
Category: Middle somewhere
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Accurate Miniatures
Model Type: Yak-1b
Aftermarket addons: Eduard Belts, and cockpit detail set.
Decals: Yes, Authentic Decals, will have to revere 32 to 23

I think it obvious I look outside the square. I don't know why I looked for a woman ace, but in doing so found Lilya. One of two Soviet women aces. Another interesting build tho. A bit of bio follows. My kit is in the post, the pictures below are stock photos to get me underway.



In September 1942 one squadron from Lilya's regiment was attached to the front at Stalingrad. Lilya, along with seven other female pilots, was included. On the 13th of September Litvyak scored her first victory, helping to shoot down a Ju-88 bomber. During the sortie, Lilya was wingman to the regimental commander and after spotting three Junkers Ju-88's, they attacked. The bombers dropped their bombs and scattered. Taking advantage of this, her leader shot down one Ju-88, while Lilya destroyed a second. Lilya then spotted her friend, Raya Belyaeva, engaged in a dogfight with a Messerschmitt Bf-109. Her comrade ran out of ammunition, so Lilya engaged the German fighter and shot it down. Tragically Lilya Litvyak was shot down at the age of 21. Lilya was a seasoned fighter ace and flight commander at the time of her death, with 12 personal kills and three shared kills.

[imalko]

Very nice choice. Looking forward to your build.
BTW, her full name was Lidya Vladimirovna Litvyak, but was also now by her nickname Lilya.

[N4521U]

Very nice choice. Looking forward to your build.
BTW, her full name was Lidya Vladimirovna Litvyak, but was also now by her nickname Lilya.

That I knew, I just wanted to keep it short. Can't explain why I misspelled her name in the title. Old timers disease. I also read somewhere they think it could have been Eric Hartmann that shot her down. Another account has 8 Fw's seeking her out. Interesting subject. I will try and do it justice.

[ozhawk40]

This will be a good 'en Bill, and I sure can't wait to see you get cracking on this one.

Cheers

Peter

[le_steph40]

Nice choice, I built this one there are 3 or 4 years ago with an error: wrong color regarding the green...Now, I know the AII green is wrong, it's normally AMT-4...

Regards
Steph

[vikingBerserker]

Excellent Bill, I cannot wait to see you do justice to her!

[Airframes]

Good choice Bill - always nice to have something different.

[Nxthanos]

Something different for sure.

[Wayne Little]

Interesting choice Bill!

[rochie]

great subject Bill

[Vic Balshaw]

Good one Bill, hope it gets here in one piece!!!!!!!!!!

[Crimea_River]

Good pick!

[Catch22]

Cool!

[N4521U]

It's still in the bl**dy mail. Am Anxious to get this one going. Have ordered flaps for it that will probably get here before the kit.

[Wayne Little]

Be patient Bill, you do have other things to do..