discussion Bilek 1/48: Yak-23 in US service

[Guest]

Hi folks!!!
Here comes my new Yak-23 in US service. It was an interesting project with a horrible kit. Bilek's Yak is really a "Puttyandgrindmonster". No fit....but short run kits may be so. ¬¬


A single Yak-23 was acquired by US intelligence, via Yugoslavia, in November 1953. It was a Romanian Yak-23 flown by Mihail Diaconu who defected with it. The aircraft arrived disassembled, and was shipped to the Air Force Test and Evaluation Center at Wright Field near Dayton, Ohio. It was reassembled and made operational for several flight tests, during which time it was disguised with U.S. markings. Efforts were made to keep the aircraft's identity secret, and it was flown only in the early morning. On one occasion it was passed on the runway by a formation of F-86's, whose pilots inquired as to the plane's identity. A story was conceived that the aircraft was a Bell X-5, which had a similar layout. At the completion of design and flight evaluations the aircraft was again disassembled and shipped quietly back to Yugoslavia in its original paint scheme


Cheers
Stefan

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[Guest]

Great Work!

 

[flyjoe180]

Wonderful work Stefan. Good background info too, adds interest to the build theme.

 

[yak face]

Fantastic build Stefan ! you know i love a good Yak!! Its a great little aircraft and rarely seen modelled (especially the old Bilek kit!) . The base and figures complement the build perfectly , great job, cheers tony

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your comments, mates!!!