[Serpiko]

PROS

- Twin-seater IL2 kits in 1/72 are a rarity!
- Good detail
- Two canopy sets (open/closed) included

CONS

- Only one version
- No bombs, rockets only
- A few fitting issues



THE PLANE

Forum members who need an introduction to the IL-2, feel free to ask. You'll be promptly reported to Admins and recommended for an epic ban!

Visitors, instead, meet the mighty "Shturmovik", a.k.a. the "flying tank" or the "black death"; the plane that the Red Army needed "as much as air, bread and water" (cit. Stalin); built in 36'000+ units (40'000 if including its evolution, the IL-10); perfectly embodying the Russian "crude but effective" philosophy; specifically designed, armoured and armed to A) open German Panzers like tincans and B) frustrate enemy gunners by taking tremendous punishment, and keeping flying.
Originally intended to have a rear gunner, early IL-2 series were built as single-seaters in order to increase performances by saving weight. Still, they were outperformed by German fighters, resulting in heavy losses when caught without an escort. Therefore, many machines were added a "custom-made" rear MG, with the gunner simply sitting inside a hole in the fuselage. Finally, later series begun being factory produced with a proper rear gunner station.

In time, despite its crucial role in the war (and therefore in history), the IL-2 has been almost forgotten in the western world, overshadowed by Allied and German "stars" (i.e. everybody knows what's a Spitfire or a Stuka). Maybe due to this, there aren't many kits of this bird on the market, expecially in 1/72 scale.



THE KIT

First of all, I have to say that, at the time I was looking for a 1/72 twin-seater IL-2 kit, this is the ONLY one I was able to find, bought online from a foreign seller. It replicates an M3 version, featuring twin-seater cockpit, 23mm cannons and late type wings.
Be warned that, in this kit, the wings are detailed as the METALLIC type. While this is correct for the machine whose markings are provided, wooden wings were more common; so, if you want to make a different scheme, you may need to fill the panel lines on the outer sections.



Luckily, Eduard's product was enough to satisfy my expectations: the molding quality of the sprues looks good, with virtually no flash (but some minor "edges" and injection marks) and fine recessed details; some of the smaller pieces are a little less defined than others. Remarkably, two alternative canopy sets are included: a single-piece closed one, and four separate parts for the open option; even better, the crosshair is molded on the windshield.



Cockpit detail is adequate for the scale, but not exceptional. Cockpit wall, in particular, are quite flat (aside from the throttle console); the gunner station is somewhat empty too but, luckily, the machine gun looks nice.



After looking for a rear seat, I discovered that there is none, since the gunner simply sat on a canvas strip (provided as a piece): now I realize why, in game, he swears that much when you try some aerobatics! :mrgreen:
What I find to be a shortcoming of this kit, is the lack of ordnance. Bomb bays are molded in closed position, and there's no interior for them; nor external bombs/racks are provided, either. The only loadout option is four wing rails and rockets, apparently RS-132. They look nice, but I wanted FABs, too! :x
The decals sheet is small, but well printed. The only option is Blue 22 "Chapaevtsy", named after a Russian civil war hero.

NOTE: after a little research, i learned that Eduard's "weekend edition" kits are actually "simplified" and cheaper re-editions of their former releases. Apparently, their "original" IL-2 M3 kit also includes resin/photoetched parts (hence the limited molded details in the cockpit) and a wider choice of decals and loadouts. It is also harder to find, though.




BUILDING

Once in a while, we're NOT starting with the cockpit! Or, at least, not necessarily. In this kit, the wings are the starting point: two large pieces (upper and lower side) make the whole wings block, with the upper half including the base of the cockpit.



These two halves match each other quite well, but thay lack locating pins; also, purists may dislike the resulting trailing edge, that remains a bit thick.
HINT: the gear is probably the most complex part of the job. If you're building it lowered, some parts are pretty tough to fix; therefore, it may be easier to build the gear BEFORE closing the wings. Try dry fitting and choose!
Then comes the fuselage: you should fix the exhausts and the tail wheel support before joining the two fuselage halves; then you can add the nose air intake, the gauges panel and the propeller support. After fixing cockpit parts onto the "floor", you can join fuselage and wings; the fitting here is quite good, only the rear edge may need some adjustments. Tail planes fit without problems, just mins that they aren't exchangeable. Then come some bits like the radiator, the air filter the landing light and the tail wheel (you'd better add cannons and pitot tube in the end, since they're very prone to mishandling damage; the same is true for the mass balancer on the rudder).





The last thing to do before closing the cockpit, is to finish the rear gunner station, by fixing the "seat" and the MG with its support. Then, you can add either the closed or the open canopy.




The propeller can be built and added in the end, BUT the supporting pin appears to be too large to pass through the hole in the propeller hub, which may need to be enlarged, being careful not to exceed.



The only ordnance option, as I said above, is rockets. They come almost complete, but you have to add some winglets and fix them on the rails.

Overall, the fitting among parts was good enough, with minor inaccuracies here and there. I added as extra details the antenna wire, a scratchbuilt ammo belt for the rear MG (my first SB ever, have mercy :roll: ) and actuating arms on rudder-elevators-ailerons trim, which were cut out of a guitar string.



PAINTING AND DECALS

Painting instructions aren't totally clear, as the drawings on the instructions sheet show no difference between the grey and brown areas; luckily, the multiple pictures on the box provide more than enough reference.
The portrayed "Blue 22" wears a 3-tone summer livery: green, earth and dark grey, with light blue belly and yellow rudder. I like it, but I found it a bit too "bright": an IL-2 should look more like a dirty, battle-proven machine! So I went on with heavy weathering, using aluminium paint to replicate scratches and black charcoal powder for smoke exhausts.
The decals are well printed, thin and properly "sticky", with a little silvering effect on some of the transparencies. I only found the nose "lines" decal to be a little larger, and part of it had to be sliced off at the front.
All painting was made with hand brush, with a final matt coat to seal everything.




CONCLUSIONS

Well, in short, this kit is GOOD. Not perfect, but well detailed, decently fitting and relatively simple (the landing gear is the only really tough step). Thanks to Eduard, I now have my pretty twin-seater Sturmovik on my shelf! 8) Recommended!

GREEN LIGHT!

[Serpiko]

P.S.

Due to job, I now have less time for reviewing, so i'll be briefer from now on. Sorry! :oops:

[Planemad]

As always another great review :)

Planemad

[Deutschmark]

WOW!!! that is some nice work,
I like the pits and the chipping on the plane really well done!
And the review, like always top marks :)


Deutschmark

[LeBigTed]

Hi Serpiko !!!!

As Always:

- Glad to read you,
- Happy to see your pics step by step,
- A little bit humoristic at the beginning,

Forum members who need an introduction to the IL-2, feel free to ask. You'll be promptly reported to Admins and recommended for an epic ban!

- And dramatic at the end

Due to job, I now have less time for reviewing, so i'll be briefer from now on. Sorry!

REALLY GOOOD STUFFF !!!!!!!!! 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

I really like the weathered effects :wink:

I wish you good luck for your job ;o)

Ted ;o)

[Serpiko]

Really thank you all for your feedback!

And, don't worry, job is going to be OK. :wink:

See you soon!