Hobby Boss 1/32 IL-2 Sturmovik on Skis

The Ilyushin Il-2 was a ground attack aircraft (Shturmovik) in the Second World War, produced by the Soviet Union in very large numbers. In combination with its successor, the Ilyushin Il-10, a total of 42,330 were built, making it the single most produced military aircraft design in all of aviation history, as well as one of the most produced piloted aircraft in history along with the Cessna 172 and the Polikarpov Po-2. It is regarded as the best ground attack aircraft of World War 2. It was a prominent aircraft for tank killing with its accuracy in dive bombing and its 37mm guns penetrating their thin back armor.

To Il-2 pilots, the aircraft was simply the diminutive "Ilyusha". To the soldiers on the ground, it was the "Hunchback," the "Flying Tank" or the "Flying Infantryman". Its postwar NATO reporting name was "Bark". The Il-2 aircraft played a crucial role on the Eastern Front, and in Soviet opinion it was the most decisive aircraft in the history of modern land warfare. Joseph Stalin paid the Il-2 a great tribute in his own inimitable manner: when a particular production factory fell behind on its deliveries, Stalin sent an angrily-worded cable to the factory manager, stating "They are as essential to the Red Army as air and bread."

If you don't think that we are in the decade of 1/32 scale kits, then think again. It seems that every month, at least one or two new kits in this scale are being produced. One has to wonder how many of these actually get bought and built as they are generally not small and not inexpensive. However, they do keep coming and sometimes we get something a bit on the unexpected side. I think this new Hobby Boss IL-2 fits into that category.

As one would expect, the most popular version is not the one first kitted, probably to gauge how well the later variants will sell as much as anything else. In the early part of the Great Patriotic War, it was the single seat IL-2 that bore the brunt of ground attack sorties. During the winter these planes flew with skis, but unlike some other ski equipped planes, the IL-2 with skis was equipped with housings into which the ski landing gear would fit. Hobby Boss has reproduced this feature and all of the ski equipment is on a separate sprue.

Molded in Hobby Boss' usual grey plastic, it is a very clean mold with crisp details as we have come to expect from Hobby Boss and Trumpeter kits. You many not like the detailing, but it is extremely well done. The clear bits, photo etch and vinyl bits are separately housed in a box that fits into one side of the kit box. There is a full cockpit with all the bits and pieces you would expect. The instrument panel is clear so that you can put the decal on the back to show the instruments. Personally, I'd put the instrument panel decal on the front as I'm lazy and don't want to brush paint the panel face. Photo etch belts are included in the kit. The kit also includes a full AM-38 engine with Hobby Boss providing a clear forward cowling (apparently so you can leave this unpainted to show off the engine). Those wishing to bypass this feature will still need to build up enough of the block to mount the exhaust and the prop.

The kit also includes reinforced wing spars, optional position flaps, separate control surfaces and full wing armament in terms of cannon. The cannon bays are detailed with separate covers and magazines. The kit provides vinyl ammunition belts and some of the photo etch is designed for these bays. In addition, there are separate lower wing bomb bays that can be posed open with weapons. For under the wings there are rockets and their rails

You have several weapons options to choose from in this kit that includes  general purpose bombs (2 each FAB-50, FAB-100, DAB-100, BRAB-220 and FAB-250), 2 each PLBG-150 and 4 each RS-132 rockets. Sturmovicks were often heavily armed so you should have little trouble picking something appropriate. I should mention that the kit does not include wheels so you have to build the ski version with what is in the box.

Instructions are typical of Hobby Boss with 14 well drawn construction steps on two large fold-out sheets. Color information is provided with Gunze references. Two markings options are supplied with a full color camouflage placement guide. No units are given but you have a choice between Black 12 in standard Green over Light Blue or Red 6 with a rather worn winter whitewash scheme. Decals are well done and should work well. At least, I've had little trouble with them in the past.

This is another excellent addition to the big scale planes category. This won't be a small model, but it also shouldn't be all that difficult to build.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IL-2_Sturmovik

August 2010

My thanks to Squadron Products for the preview sample. Get yours at your favorite shop or ask them to order it for you.