1:72 IL-2

The real subject

The Ilyushin Il-2, widely known under the name Shturmovik, was a Soviet ground attack aircraft intended for attacks on ground targets from low altitude. Its essence was an armored shell that was not merely an added plate but the load-bearing part of the forward half of the fuselage: it covered the engine, the radiators, the fuel and the pilot, so the machine withstood fire that would have brought another aircraft down. It was powered by a liquid-cooled Mikulin AM-38 series V12 engine, the armament consisted of cannon and machine guns in the wing, and under the wing the aircraft carried bombs and unguided rockets. It is among the most numerously produced combat aircraft of all time.

What the kit contains

This is a plastic kit in 1:72 scale, that is a model with a span of roughly twenty centimeters. The parts are attached to sprues and the model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. The particular contents of the package, the number of parts, the way the parts join and the color schemes offered are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Separate the parts with nippers a little clear of the part and clean up the remainder, so that you do not tear off a piece of the surface. Finish and paint the cockpit before you glue the fuselage halves together. A ground attack aircraft is rewarding when it comes to surface work: a dark wash into the panel lines suits it, along with exhaust staining along the fuselage and a dusty underside, because Il-2s flew from field strips and mud went with them. Take the color scheme and the placement of the decals from the instructions.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who want to add one of the key aircraft of the Eastern Front to a 1:72 collection. Paints, glue and tools are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.