Ilyushin IL-2 Stormovic
Comments
43 22 May 2021, 21:46
James CWhile waiting for the weather to improve to take pictures of the completed MiG-21, I made a start on this Revell IL-2 kit. I wasn't going to post any progress pictures; especially after messing up the previous MiG-21 build, but decided to test out the camera on my new phone.
It definitely takes better close-up shots than the trusty Canon that I use outdoors.
22 May 2021, 21:55
James CWelcome aboard guys 🙂
With the airframe assembly finished and canopy masked off and installed, I can start on filling and cleaning the joins. There's a couple hinges for the control surfaces and the radio mast still left to install, but will leave these off until It's ready for primer so as to avoid any breakages. The fit has been mostly pretty good, with some nice detailing.
However, the main center section of the canopy doesn't join cleanly with the front glass unfortunately and even when positioned "closed" overhangs the rear section by quite a bit, so will need to be painted separately. To avoid the gap at the front, I'll just settle for posing it "open" instead.
23 May 2021, 21:08
James CWelcome aboard guys.
Quite a bit warmer today, so was able to finish off the basic paint scheme, with only a couple minor touch ups left to do. I used Hataka acrylics (for the first time) and am really happy with how vibrant the colours look, and they sprayed really well after being thinned 50/50 with "Ultimate" acrylic airbrush thinners.
Will leave it overnight for the paint to cure then rub it down again ahead of a clear gloss coat.
1 June 2021, 01:14
Nathan DempseyI'm really liking the colors on this one. The shading looks great too ?.
1 June 2021, 12:32
James CThanks guys 🙂
@ Nathan, I love the Hataka colours as well, but should point out that the green doesn't look quite as bright or fluorescent as it does in the last four images. I will go back to the Canon digi cam when I do the next album update, instead of using the phone camera.
1 June 2021, 17:27
James CThanks mate 🙂
I installed most of the remaining bits and pieces, and replaced the landing gear indicators on top of both wings with some 0.5mm rod. (I'd snapped one off completely while handling) Drilling right through the top of the wing and seating the rod down to the top of the main wheel bays makes them much more sturdy and less prone to snapping off again... hopefully. With that done I re-painted the engine exhausts etc, then gave it a couple coats of Alclad clear gloss and left it to dry.
Will make a start on the decals shortly. (Grrrrr at the dust buildup already)
2 June 2021, 20:59
Robin (WhiteGlint)I don't speak Russian, so I decided to use an translator app on my phone.
Appearently it says: "Valery Chkalov" which is a name.
Valery Chkalov was a test pilot who has been awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
He died in a crash ending the maiden flight of an Polikarpov I-180 on 15th December 1938, aged 34.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valery_Chkalov
7 June 2021, 18:19
James CThat's interesting... and many thanks for taking the time to look into it for me.
Very much appreciated 🙂👍
I've just about finished the build now with most of the paint chipping and weathering completed. Will post some final pics once the weather improves.
7 June 2021, 18:26
Robin (WhiteGlint)You're welcome, James. 😉
Kinda peaked my curiosity, too.
I know it was not that uncommon of Allied, or Soviet forces in this case, to put some text on their aircraft and tanks. Like the famous "First on Bastogne" on a Sherman tank.
So I wanted to know what it meant. I didn't expect a name, which confused me at first.
Looking forward to the pictures of the finished Il-2 👍
7 June 2021, 18:38
James CThanks again WG mate 🙂
There was a long enough lull in the weather today to take it outside for some quick shots.
Turned out to be quite a nice kit to assemble and paint, and a bit of a confidence booster after the mishap with the MiG-21 to be honest.
My only gripe with the kit is that the main wheel bay doors were molded open and into the bottom of the gondolas where the gear retracts inside of.
This made painting a little more challenging, and obviously if you would want to display it with the gear retracted, you will be in for some significant modification.
I had also considered doing a more "uniform" looking camouflage scheme from the IL-2 flight simulator, but decided to run with the paint scheme as depicted in the instructions for "White 82" as it adds a bit of visual interest due to the pattern not being symmetrical etc.
Thanks for following 🙂
9 June 2021, 01:04
Murad ÖZERthat's one hell of a build mate. best part is the unusual camo for me, i keep getting stuck at the right wing especially ...that shouldnt be there that shouldnt be there that shouldnt be there... 😄
9 June 2021, 08:43
James C@ Nathan, Guy, Roland, Mathieu, WhiteGlint, Neuling, Murad & Ingo... Thanks guy's, your genuine support and commentary is very much appreciated. Cheers 🙂
@ Murad - I know what you mean lol! 😉
@ Neuling - I used the following acrylic paint set by Hataka: "Early WW2 Soviet Air Force"
I believe that they also do lacquer and "paint-brush" ready versions of all their colours as well.
hataka-hobby.com/HTK..-Air-Force-Paint-Set
9 June 2021, 17:39
Gary KitchenAnd there it is...the classic ending, all that's missing is the blue sky James 😉 Great build, the chipping on the panels is awesome.
17 June 2021, 06:06
James CMany thanks Tom, Gary, Sebastian and Mike. Much appreciated 🙂
@ Gary - The weather has been a bit wet and gloomy these past few weeks, so wasn't much opportunity for outdoor pics with better natural lighting. These pics were the best of a bad bunch, with some being a little dark... but the overcast sky kind of grew on me, making for a somewhat menacing looking scene which I thought fit the subject and Russian theatre quite well 😉
17 June 2021, 18:06
Slavo HazuchaJust dug up this beauty... Job well done, cool 2-color camo and reasonable weathering for the given subject. And well chosen light conditions for the pics, looks great in this type of natural light 👍
13 September 2021, 13:53
James CMany thanks for looking in and commenting mate, very much appreciated 🙂
I didn't have much choice regarding the lighting as I finished it during a particularly wet and wild period that lasted several weeks.
I may reshoot it this summer along with a couple other aircraft when the weather improves a bit more.
In hindsight, I was probably a little over zealous with the paint chipping, and it could have done with some exhaust staining, but I'm pretty happy with the end result. It was also my first time using "Hataka" acrylics and I was very impressed by their depth of colour as well as ease of use through the airbrush.
13 September 2021, 18:27
Album info
Ilyushin IL-2 Stormovic
White 82, Unknown Squadron
Russia 1944
Completed June 8th 2021
