Clearwater Models: Yak-15-RI-10 STOVL RECCE-FIGHTER

In 1945 Alexander Yakovlev was personally directed by Stalin to produce a jet powered small reconnaissance fighter (разведывательный истребитель) based on the untested design for the Yak-15. Named the Яковлев Як-15-РИ-10 (Yak-15-RI-10), and called the комар (Komar, or Gnat), the tiny aircraft could use very short spaces for take-off, then land nearly vertically. The pilot had no canopy or even forward visor.

The aircraft first flew in May 1947, and entered small-scale production. The Komar was commissioned into limited service with ground forces' air arms in 1948, but was almost immediately removed from service when Stalin saw it demonstrated at Tushino. The original test version was powered by a German built Jumo 004 engine soon replaced by the RD-10 jet engine. In testing the engines were show to melt the rear of the aircraft, so heavier heat shields had to be installed at the expense of fuel. This gave the Gnat a range of only 115 km.

There are no known survivors of this aircraft, and only an airframe remains at the Monino Aviation Museum. It is rumoured that the Yakovlev Design Bureau (OKB) has a complete design mock-up at its headquarters on Leningradsky Prospect in Moscow.
NOTE: none of the above is true - it is simply a fictional backstory for an interesting model.

This is another in a series of COVID-19 models built while in quarantine. It is also built as part of the Victoria Day long weekend blitz (lightning) build marathon sponsored by IPMS Ottawa. Each model had to be built in under 78 hours. The Komar was done from start to finish in about 70 hours.Paints are all Vallejo acrylics coated with Future floor wax, and Vallejo washes. Decals are from my own supply. I bought it from Aliexpress where it is called an RF-118A STOVL recce-fighter.

Як-15-РИ-10 Yak-15-RI-10 STOVL Recce-Fighter

Monday 18 May 2020

Yak-15-RI-10 STOVL RECCE-FIGHTER