I just picked up the REST Models mounted Werhmacht infantry set. Very nicely done. I'm tired of vehicles and look forward to learning how to paint a horse realistically. It comes with a surrendering Russian pilot. The uniform of the German soldier is typical for early war up to 1943. I would like suggestions as to a good but inexpensive Russian plane model to have, crashed, in the background of the diorama.

La-5FN fighter for $19.71 plus shipping. It's a very accurate and well-detailed kit. They do not seem to carry ICM models any more. You can probably find some of the ICM Russian fighter kits from some other on-line shops.

Accurate Miniatures Yaks and single seat IL-2's can be found on evil-Bay for around $15.00 shipped.

Chris "toadman" Hughes
http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com

I found a review online about the ICM Yak 9 kits statings:

"ICM's 1/48 scale Yak-9 kits are nicely detailed and inexpensive kits, but they suffer from some accuracy problems. As outlined by Mike Good in a 1999 review on HyperScale, the fuselage cross-section is too oval, panel lines are crude and out of position, and the canopy shape is poor."

Additionally, a review of the ICM Yak 7 can be found here:
http://www.modelingmadness.com/reviews/allies/ussr/pres7di.htm

And here is a review on the Academy Polikarpov planes:
http://vvs.hobbyvista.com/Modeling/Polikarpov/I-16/Type24/Academy/Mirasol/index.php

However, if the plane will be crashed, detail accuracies may not be much of a concern.

Here are a few ebay offerings for cheap (all currently under $10 plus shipping):

http://cgi.ebay.com/Accurate-Miniatures-Yakovlev-Yak-1b-Soviet-WWII-Fighter_W0QQitemZ350231184665QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item518b67c519&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-48-Academy-Polikarpov-I-16-Type-10-Russian-VVS-WWII_W0QQitemZ300332113410QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ed305e02&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-48-Academy-Polikarpov-I-16-Type-18-Russian-VVS-WWII_W0QQitemZ300332114018QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ed306062&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/ICM-1-48-YAK-7A-WW2-Soviet-Fighter_W0QQitemZ200366909667QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea6cc68e3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/ICM-Yak-7B-Soviet-WW-II-Fighter-1-48-scale_W0QQitemZ370233229653QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item56339ec155&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yak-7A-WW-II-Soveit-Fighter-1-48-Scale_W0QQitemZ370227194845QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563342abdd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Hope this is helpful,
Jim

Note: I am not connected to or affiliated with the sellers or above mentioned websites in any way.

I have a picture of a downed Polikarpov so i might go with that one, or a Yak. What colour should I paint it overall?