Category: Soviet aircraft
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Sukhoi Su-2 – Part Three – Oh, Those Wacky Soviets…
Just when you start to think that they have no imagination, they come out with a new one and all you can do is scratch your head. Consider the heading image. I have assembled the engine for the Sukhoi following the diagrams as faithfully as can be. There’s the two rows of cylinders, like a…
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Sukhoi Su-2 – Part Two – The Barbie Bomber

That’s as in Barbie and Ken…not ” put another shrimp on the barbie “. The pink undercoat is still doing what it says on the tin. The coverage is superb and the final surface extremely smooth – no polishing sticks needed to get it ready for the colour coat. I did pick up a jar…
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Sukhoi Su-2 – Part One – This Model Building Suk’s

And how better to start than with a Sukhoi? In this case an Su-2. It was on the shelf in the shop for months before I suddenly realised that I needed it. For library display, I hasten to add. The modeller’s mind had filed the information about it being there and all that was needed…
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Ilyushin IL-2 – Part Six – Skiing Holiday

The predictions about the Smêr model of the Ilyushin Il -2 proved 100% accurate. The kit has fallen together perfectly and the landing gear variation has proved to be the star of the piece. The gear is based upon the wheeled version, but you need to trim away some of the wheel hub support and…
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Ilyushin IL-2 – Part Four _ Winter At Uszhitmi

Uszhitmi Air Base is what is known in Russia as a winter wonderland. It’s the place that they send people who have been exiled from Siberia. Thus we see the Ilyushin IL-2 sitting on the tarmac on a bright day in midsummer. You can tell it’s summer as they have not put the snow skis…
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Ilyushin IL-2 – Part Three – The Fit Bit

The Sturmovik is cementing together nicely. You’ll see the gap patch in the front before trimming, but note the wing and tail seams. This is the sort of fit I wish ALL Czech and other eastern European makers could achieve. There will be the tiniest slip of superglue on the port wing at the leading…
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Ilyushin IL-2 – Part Two – Czeching Out The Fit

Part-fit stage is looking good. The cockpit has proved wonderful – in Czech terms that means it has a ledge to sit in and fits onto the lendge without hack-sawing anything. The fuselage closes…almost…The wings are in register and they have decided shapes to fit onto the fuselage. And the tail surfaces are such a…
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Ilyushin IL-2 – Part One – Back On Trackski

This Il-2 is the gift of a club-mate; John. It has been sitting in the stash long enough – the idea has sprouted. This is to be a winter Sturmovik. I shall risk the hazards of the Czech decals and try to put the complete Soviet slogans on the side when it is finished. I’ve…
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Yak 3 – Part Four _ Speed Is As Speed Does

When you are not bending up connecting rods from brass PE sheets for a 1/72 kit, it seems to go a lot faster in the construction. Not as liable to win Best-of-Show at the Anorak Expo, but you have to be realistic. And Hobby Boss are the most realistic moulders I know. The Yak 3…

