1/48 ICM Yak-7A

"Cast Away" 

by Tim Schneider

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This model is more about the idea of creating the impression of an aircraft cast into sea on the deep end of the reef than about actually making a model from the ICM Yak kit. I originally purchased this kit for my son several years ago, but there was no canopy in the box, so the kit was pushed to the back of the shelf. Neglected. So it seemed fitting to use this model as the basis for the diorama. Also, I was not too impressed with the detail of the kit so the thought of intentionally decreasing the detail by simulate years of corrosion or damage did not bother me. I could have used my Accurate Miniatures Avenger as the subject but that just seemed to be very wrong!

There are no aftermarket items or decals used. The fuselage was made and then, I went about adding holes here and there to simulate degradation from the sea. The control panel was made from scratch and several dials were popped out to mimic prior scavaging/decay. I made the inner frame for the wings and then covered these with aluminum foil trying to create a sag to the foil to mimic aging. The inner structure of the control surfaces were made from styrene stock and sheet brass. The canopy frame was made from lead foil. Everything is painted with Tamiya acrylics and then numerous washes of oils used to try to add depth and shadows. I tried to limit the colors used on the AC to those that would be visual with ambient light at a depth of 30-35 feet.

Click on images below to see larger images

The groundworks is fine sand mixed with white glue. The coral outcroppings are rocks collected from around my property. I used various lichens found around the yard and local woods to create the anemones, soft corals, sponges, and hard corals. The grass is actually blades of a small plant that I found growing along the edge of a local stream. I slowly dried the plant to preserve the colors of the leaves. I originally planned on placing only a few blades of grass around the coral but it just seemed to need more and more for visual balance. Unfortunately, during the "planting", I ran out of the leaves and could not remember exactly were I found the original plant. I wondered around the original woods but couldn't find another plant. Fortunately, I found one lonely plant in a stream near my house. I ran home and proudly showed  my quarry to my wife. Funny, but she just did not seem to be that impressed with my prize. Strange, but some people just don't seem to get it...

The diorama was photographed by my brother Don with his Canon digital camera on a sunny afternoon. If I had the option, I would prefer to take the images on an overcast day to heighten the illusion of muted colors and shadows, but a begger can't be a chooser and I really appreciate my brother for taking the time to take the pictures. You can appreciate the need for a digit camera for just such a reason, but, again, why wife is not impressed with this logic for some reason. Go figure...

I hope you all enjoy the images.

Tim

Photos and text © by Tim Schneider