Sits Author
Initial painting of items on sprues going on currently. My detail brush painting is so bad but I'm not buying an airbrush, or masks for the wheels/canopy. Have Tamiya masking tape and a sharp knife and will take as long as I need to. I am determined to make this better than my D520.

Sits Author
Most pre-painting done now and I've mixed the light blue-grey for the underside which I'm pretty happy with.

Sits Author
Mixed my grey/grey camo colours, waiting for the test to dry to see if they're right. Ready to begin assembly now.

Sits Author
Fuselage fits together perfectly.

Sits Author
I'm continuing to be impressed by the fit, for a kit so old. Horizontal tailplanes are on and may not need any filling at all. I'm now thinking I may never have made an Italeri back in my original kit days. Were/are they all good?

Lost_Erik
i agree: There is a high fun-factor within this kit!
Good progress.

Sits Author
Thanks Erik. It will be slow - I am kitting just in snatched bits of time here and there - and I don't know how good a job I will do! Has to be better than my Dewoitine anyway. Most importantly I am really enjoying doing it again after such a long break, and this community is pushing me to try harder.

Sits Author
Ias the instructions for this are very old-fashioned and basic - just an exploded view giving a rough idea where everything goes - I have started using AI to help. For examole:
Q: on the italeri 1:72 lavochkin la-5 how is part 13 fitted under the fuselage
A: Part 13 on the Italeri 1:72 Lavochkin La-5 kit is the long supercharger air intake that fits on the underside of the fuselage, just in front of the wing root area. This part is specific to the La-5FN version of the aircraft and helps distinguish it from earlier models.

Denis Dogadov
This is a very old and very inaccurate set.
Don't waste your time on it, you won't get a good model. There are better sets of La-5.

Sits Author
Too late! I've started, I'm enjoying it and learning. It's nostalgic too with my age. And you wait till you see the Mig-19 I've bought! It's all just for fun and fulfilment as I am not capable of perfection or anything close to it.

Denis Dogadov
You haven't seen the Mig-19 kit that I had to assemble as a child.
[img1]
[img2]
[img3]

I believe that a hobby should be enjoyable and the result of the work should be pleasing.
In your case, it seems to me that Hobby Boss kits are more suitable for you.

Sits Author
Wow