SEAGULL Yak-3U Steadfast 20cc – SEA-270

Did you realise that 20cc is the new 10cc? It’s true! In days of old .60-size warbirds were the must-have aeroplane for enthusiastic club modellers, however the introduction of the smaller petrol engine has changed all that. Meanwhile, swept in with the tide have been similar size powerplants (including the delightful 1.20 four-stroke glow and suitable electric set-ups) and a raft of suitable ARTF kits of which this Yak-3U has to be one of the most unusual, and desirable. Introduced in 1944 the small, light and agile Soviet Yak-3 quickly endeared itself to both pilots and ground crew. With an outstanding power-to-weight ratio and impressive performance it proved a formidable weapon and remained in service with the Yogoslav and Polish Air Forces until 1952.

Seagull’s Yak-3U mirrors the radial engine version of the fighter, which was built in an attempt to increase the performance of later versions whilst avoiding overheating problems. The combination worked and in 2005 a modified 3U set a piston-engine international speed record by reaching 407mph over a 1.8 mile course. So, what can you expect of the Seagull kit? Well, the usual attention to detail and quality is the simple answer and for that you can read: beautifully assembled balsa and ply airframe components wrapped in matt Oracover film, a striking, crisp, painted glass fibre cowl, quality hardware, sprung mechanical retracts with leg fairings, pilot, cockpit detail, inset trailing edge flaps and heaps more.

Spanning 63” and featuring a convenient two-piece wing this rarely modelled, attractive aeroplane is both convenient to store and easy to transport. Go on, you know you want one.