ICM Yak-9T Review - Soviet WWII Fighter With A 37mm Cannon!

In this model kit review, I am looking at the ICM 1/32 Yak-9T (kit no. 32090). We'll be looking at the in-process kit, the instructions, the surface detailing, the interior detail, the transparencies, the decals, potential problem areas and my solutions in those areas, aftermarket items used (Eduard seatbelts), and finally, I'll be giving my conclusions at the end. Is this the best Yak-9 model currently in production? Let's find out together!

[@draven7311]

Now this is the way to do a professional review, thank you

[@chrispacer4231]

JON, does a very good review on all his post…. Gives a modeler great direction on what too expect… KEEPS IT SIMPLE, WELL NARRATED !!!!!!!!!!!!! CHRIS 🇺🇸

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

You're welcome. I appreciate the feedback!

[@jeffsmith6388]

Jon!!!!! You need merch!!! A t-shirt that says MODEL ON in big on the back and Jon'sMKR just above the left breast pocket!!!! LOGO with your favorite aircraft and Jon's MKR in a circle around the plane!! Nice review on a great looking kit!! And I realized I do enjoy the history dissertation of your current subject. And MODEL ON!!!

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks, Jeff! Great idea on the merch! I appreciate the feedback on the reviews! Cheers!

[@damianmullan8239]

I built the 1/48 kit which I enjoyed, I'll have to check the 1/32 out .thanks Jon for another great video

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

You're welcome, Damian! The 1/48 kit was one of ICMs first kits and nice for the time. The 1/32 kit is more accurate shape-wise and detail-wise. It's better engineered as well. If you can get one for a reasonable price, I would recommend it. Cheers!

[@franciscovenegas1810]

Hello Jon, what a great gift he has given you....(you have given...) sorry....arrived.... hahahaha, yes I am also guilty of gifts...self-gifted.... This kit is impressive, the only thing missing is the belts, it would be a solution like Miniart on its P47 and this kit would be very complete. I really liked its design, the interior is better than other 1:32 scale models, yes the small detail makes you go blind..... but when you finish you will see that it is a higher level scale for general appreciation, even more so when its details are correct and at the scale of the original. I have already built a few 1:32, Trumpeter whose bf109 series are very good, Revell bf 109 G6 reissued and modernized and a Trumpeter Corsair that was a nightmare but I managed to overcome it and look good. I encourage you to continue trying the scale, the space will obviously be needed, but they are worth it, you can appreciate everything better. Greetings friend, waiting for the next Yak video.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks, Francisco! The Yak-9 has been a great first 1/32 scale experience so far. I may try more. I'm sure the Corsair is huge in 1/32! Cheers

[@acfnugget7880]

I don't always comment but I certainly always watch your vids. In this case, I don't know how it slipped past when you first released it. Really glad, it popped up in my recommendations though. There's no getting away from ICM's quality in their more modern kits and the detail and fit seems to be second to none. The only drawback for me is that 1/32 scale is just too big for the space I have available. If only they produced more in 1/48 scale.... Always enjoy your content Jon. 👍👍

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks! At least the Yak-9 is a small fighter. Even in 1/32, it's not much bigger than a Hellcat. Cheers!

[@SCSuperheavy114]

Been a long time since I built a 1/32 a/c, mainly because of shelf space but your review has me itching for one, there are many choices but something about this kit has got my interest. I agree Soviet prop WW2 planes especially the YAK, and the MIG 3 are very underserved in 1/48 &1/32 especially by big kit manufacturers. Thanks! Great day for a ride!

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Right on! There's something cool about building a subject for the first time and getting familiar with it. The VVS and Japanese planes offer that experience for me. It's a great way to get to know the aircraft, and it's nice to put some diversity and interest in the display case. I'm hoping to get out and ride in a little while! Cheers!

[@jeffsmith6388]

Be careful, once down that 1/32 rabbit hole, there may be no return!! SO many great new kits in that scale!! I want the HK B-17!!

[@jeffsmith6388]

And MODEL ON!!!!

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@@jeffsmith6388 Now that's a huge kit!

[@baanibarnes9711]

Thanks for your walk-through. I was lucky enough to purchase one of these kits this week through Amazon for half the usual UK price, £27.30 from Creative Models Ltd and the tooling of the kit parts looks up to the best standard, looking forward to starting this one. The Yakovlev series of fighters has always intrigued me, there are so many sub-varients it's bewildering. I personally think the 9T is the better looking of the series with the cockpit being situated further back to accommodate the massive 37mm cannon, typical of Soviet WWII philosophy - BIGGER is better! Very useful to have you go over the basics of the construction and the areas where a little more attention will be needed, cheers!

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@baanibarnes9711 It sounds like you got a good deal on a nice kit! I'm looking forward to making more progress on this one as well. I've built more Yaks than 109s, so I'm happy to see a kit that does a Yak fighter justice, shape and detail wise. Cheers!

[@baanibarnes9711]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 Yeh, I have built a few Yaks over the years, mostly 1:72 scale and none of them have really done this aircraft justice. I usually concentrate on the European theatre of operations but the Luftwaffe colour schemes used on the Eastern front are generally more colourful than those of the Western. I partly bought the Yak so I would have an excuse to do a 109G-6 or Fw190 in the Eastern front colour schemes, those flashes of yellow really work (terrible for camouflage purposes though!)

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@@baanibarnes9711 I agree. That would make a neat display.

[@stevecausey545]

What a beautiful kit Excellent job on the review,Jon.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks, Steve!

[@stevecausey545]

Very welcome. So, you are going back and painting? Or stating with fresh unbuild kit?​@@jonsmodelkitreview4624

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@stevecausey545 I'll finish this one. However, I'm never sure which kit will be finished next. Sometimes, another project cuts in line. Cheers!

[@giovannimusacchi2949]

Hi Jon. Excellent and informative video ! Since you are a "Yak family" expert in modeling form, I would like to ask your opinion about the correctness in shape of the "chin" radiator for the Zvezda kits of Yak-9D (#4815) and Yak-9T (#4831) in 1/48 scale. Many thanks in advance.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Hi Giovanni, I would love to get the Zvezda Yak-9 kits. They are the most accurate shape-wise in 1/48 scale. I haven't built one, so I can't speak to the fit, details, or decals. Cheers!

[@chrispacer4231]

I had my coffee, WATCHED THIS AGAIN…. The RUSSIANS did a lot of Reverse Engineering…. You mentioned the 37mm gun ( AIRACOBRA ) The YAK has some ( HAWKER HURRICANE ) lines Do you have Room for a 1/32 model ?????? HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND….. CHRIS 🇺🇸

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

I'm not sure if the 37mm cannon was a loose copy or a home-grown design. However, the Soviets produced some very effective guns during the conflict. The Yak is a very small aircraft and definitely not a copy of another aircraft, though the components may be located in similar positions. Have a great weekend!

[@briansmith8079]

ICM early sticky, film coated, green molding Yak 7-9 series were horrible. Decals although nicely printed and large selection fell apart in water. What did stay together were translucent. Is this a retool with upgraded decals??

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@briansmith8079 I've built the early kits you described. This is a 1/32 scale, new-tool kit, with better decals, details, engineering, fit, etc. I can't wait to finish it! Cheers!

[@briansmith8079]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 oh you know I missed the scale difference. Well my gosh. Let's see the end results as well. Should be good.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@@briansmith8079 Right on!

[@chrispacer4231]

GOOD MORNING 🌞 It’s 0710 hours OHIO time…. You said you received this as a gift I know you’re a big fan of RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT, how does someone know what kind of model kit too get you ?????????????? I haven’t received a model kit as a gift since I was a kid ……….. 1/32, haven’t built a kit that size since I was a kid… QUITE DETAILED…. This is a well manufactured kit !!!! Those RUSSIAN aircraft were built strong and RUGGED…. From what I understand, RUSSIAN Airfields were just cut out of the forest anywhere they could, plenty of ruff ground to land and take off from…. I’M HAPPY FOR YOU !!!!!!!!!!! There’s going to be a finished follow up to this build ??????? PAINTING / DECALS ????? All my WIFE DOES IS YAK YAK YAK 😂😅😂😅😂 sorry I just had to do it 😮… I’ll probably watch this again Always do !!! MODEL ON……………. CHRIS 🇺🇸

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Alright, guilty confession time... me getting a model as a gift means that I found a great deal on a cool kit and bought it. It gets put away until a special occasion, at which time I get it as a gift. I'm super easy to shop for 😉! This is my first 1/32 kit ever, but I'm really enjoying it so far. Cheers!

[@jeffsmith6388]

Chris, comment contact info and I will send you a kit. you will get a Arii 1/48 kit. The same types of kits Jon is currently building. Mention your favorite aircraft, if I have it I will send it. I have and old Monogram Aircobra, from the un-boxed kits your got as a subscription from WAY back!!! One of the nice features of these kits is the very cool colour plate of two versions of markings of the aircraft.

[@jeffsmith6388]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 LOLOLO hahah MODEL ON!!!

[@jeffsmith6388]

And MODEL ON!!