Tamiya Ilyushin IL-2 Sturmovik in 1/72 Scale

This is the Tamiya  Ilyushin IL-2 Sturmovik.  What an outstanding kit!  I have built the Tamiya Zeros, the IL-2 is every bit as finely engineered, the thing just falls together.  I was able to complete this build without using any putty.  The seams almost disappear, they only needed a little sanding.  This is nice as the surface detail is as fine as you’ll see.  The cockpit builds up as a separate assembly which can be inserted into the fuselage from below.  Detail is perfectly adequate for the closed canopy, and really would look fine with the canopy opened.  The cockpit was masked with Eduard masks – highly recommended.  The masks for the landing light on the wing are not mentioned in the directions, but they are included.  The model was built OOB, the only additions were tape belts and antenna wires.  Overall, a very enjoyable build, it just flew together.  This kit represents the state of the art.

The markings are from the kit and depict the aircraft of Guards Captain Ivan Pavlov, commander of the 6th Guards Attack Aviation Regiment, 3rd Air Army, 1st Baltic Front.  Pavlov was twice awarded Hero of the Soviet Union.  The inscription on the fuselage reads, “To our countryman, Hero of the Soviet Union, comrade Pavlov from Kustanay’s workers.”