Zvezda 1/144 Ilyushin Il-62M
By Ivan Meshkov and Andrew Kuznetsov
Overview of new Zvezda model kit - 1/144 Ilyushin Il-62M
I present to the public a detailed review of the hot new item - model kit of airliner Ilyushin Il-62M from the Zvezda in 1/144 scale. This is the first mass model of the legendary aircraft, released in injection mold technology.
Introduction
Many years passed before the model market get a qualitative model of IL-62, released in injection mold technology and accessible to the ordinary modeler and the buyer. Released in the summer Zvezda model of Airbus A320 has set a new tone in the detailing in the 1/144 dcale, and Il-62M had followed this model. Now, these models are categorized as Ultimate Kit, which implies a huge number of assembly variants “out of box”. In particular model of IL-62M can be assembled in 22 variants (although the instruction is given only 3)! And now look closer and compare the model with the prototype. Yes, with the prototype, as the level of detail of new models of civil aviation from Zvezda became comparable with older 1/72 scale and geometry of the new Zvezda developments paid much attention. Now it is not a toy, vaguely reminiscent of a prototype from a distance of 1-2 meters, as it was with Krugozor or Plasticart models.
Kitography
In the mid-1960s. the first model of this aircraft has become a model of IL-62 “Aeroflot” from KVZ of the GDR in 1/100 scale. In the early 1970s, the model was re-released with a “Interflug” decal. In 1975 the company KVZ was renamed to VEB Plasticart of the GDR and the model under a new brand with “Interflug” decals was re-released in 1978. In the 90-ies. this model was repackaged by adp Master Modell (item no. 1007), and in 2012 – by reifra Kunststofftechnick (art. S13000011).
In the 1960s in the Soviet Union, a model plant MZMPI released IL-62 model (terrifying in appearance) in 1/120. Later it was renamed to the “Yuniy Technik”, and in the 1970s became the “Krugozor”. In 2006, this model was repacked by Alanger (item no. 050001) in the “STC Rossija”airline's colors. Also in 1970, a model of IL-62 in the colors of the CSA OK-Jet (Czechoslovak Airlines) was released by Smer in about 1/350 scale, which later in the 1980s has been reissued.
Already in the last decade came a new model of IL-62:
Resin model of the IL-62M of “Cubana” from Bra.Z Models (art. BZ4512) in 1/144 scale with the detailing in the white metal.
Resin model of the IL-62M of “Cubana” from Welsh Models (art. SL114) in 1/144 scale. Set contains resin and vacu-formed parts and detailing in the white metal.
Resin model of the IL-62M from RusAir (art. 144RA11) in 1/144 scale. The model consists of 34 parts and had a decal for 3 options: Soviet and Russian Aeroflot (Registrations 86127 and 86470) and the “Domodedovo Airlines” (Reg. 86127).
Resin model of IL-62 from RusAir (art. 144RA12) in 1/144 scale. The model consisted of 32 parts and had a decal for 2 options: Aeroflot 1970s. and 1980s.
Well, in 2010, came the resin model of IL-62 from the Czech company HpH Models in scale 1/72. With decal for “Aeroflot” and CSA OK-Jet.
Packing and Instruction
Box in the traditions of modern Zvezda models consists of an outer shell made of a soft glossy cardboard with side flaps and inner box made of rigid cardboard, preserving the internal contents from external influence.
In the instruction are given side view for all the options and separately detailed layout of stenciling. Total offered 3 assembly options (but in fact there are more – 22 available options) and 5 paint options.
Sprues and Casting
Total in box there are 8 sprues with gray plastic parts and one sprue with clear. Total 125 parts of gray plastic and 13 clear. Total - 138 parts in the model. Moulding is quite accurate and clear. No sink marks, but plastic shrinkage observed in some places on a fuselage and wing flaps.
Decal includes 5 paint options:
Il-62M Aeroflot CCCP-86483, factory number 2829637, serial № 29-03.
The first flight in May 1978, he wore the inscription «Official Olympic Carrier». Since November 1992 registration RA-86483. In January 1996, deposited at the Sheremetyevo and in August 1996 was cut into the metal because of resource generation. In the decal this plane is presented at the end of the 70's - early 80's with the inscription «Official Olympic Carrier».
It is also possible to build a model with the option of color, but without the «Official Olympic Carrier» inscription, on the middle - the second half of the 1980s.
Photo with inscription dated June 10, 1979, and without inscriptions - February 17, 1985 Total 2 variants of color.
Il-62M Aeroflot, RA-86483, factory number 2829637, serial № 29-03.
This option is the same plane as the first half of the 90s (from November 1992 to August 1996). In the decal registration number is not entirely given and it is proposed to collect from number RA-86570 and the USSR-86483 by cutting the unnecessary parts.
Il-62M MChS (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations), RA-86570, factory number 1356344, serial № 56-04.
Founded in 1993, first flew in December 1995, brought up to flight status in 1996. From July 31, 1997 bears the name - "Mikhail Gromov." From April 2014 on the storage.
One of the features of the painting of the aircraft is that until 2005 the color of the landing gear and wheels were gray, and then the wheels began to paint in beige, and stand in light gray. Also, until 2005, IGV (Inlet Guide Vanes) spinners were painted as follows: 1st, 2nd and 4th engines had gray spinners and third engine - beige. Since 2005, the 2nd engine had gray spinner, and the rest were painted in beige.
Livery itself, in this decal matches the appearance of the aircraft from the beginning of the 2000s (the period from 1999 to 2003.) to present time. Total 2 variants of paints.
Il-62MK Aeroflot CCCP-86517, factory number 3139732, serial № 39-03.
First flew in July 1981. From January 1993 carried the registration number RA-86517, from June 2003 is stored at Vnukovo. In December 2003, transferred to the VIM-Avia airlines. From July 2005 to December 2006 in storage at Domodedovo, after which he was transferred to the Interavia airlines. Since February 2008, was handed over to the Aviaenergo airline and was deposited at Domodedovo by April 2009, and then gradually began to disassemble, and at the end of June 2009 was finally cut into scrap metal. This board is available in two versions in the decals with the registration of the CCCP-86517, differing in type and location of the registration number on the tail and the flag of the Soviet Union two versions on the right side of the tail. The first option corresponds to the appearance of the aircraft as the second half of the 80s. Photos dated 1986-1988.
The second embodiment relates to the period 1981-1986 period. In the 1980s. on different planes of the Aeroflot image of hammer and sickle on the flag was changed. For example, the location of the hammer and sickle see on photo, dated November 4, 1977, the board of the CCCP-86452. This version of the painting with this type of font and the flag can be seen early and lasted until the mid-1980s.
Also because of this decal is possible to construct the third option on the mid-1980s with a broad blue band with glass cockpit, an early type of font. Photo of this example is about on that date.
Also with the use of livery and the tricolor (Russian flag) from RA-86483 paint variant you can build aircraft RA-86517 as of 1993. Total 4 different paint variants for this aircraft using decal.
Thus you can build IL-62M in 9 (nine) different paint variants using “in box” decals sheet. Decal is unusually large and does not fit in the box with the model. But this is only in the first of model kits. According to the developers, the next batch will have modified format decal with the same elements. The decal is printed by the famous Russian company Begemot and the quality of its printing does not cause problems. All well and good, no color shift. Particularly pleased with the presence of a full technical stenciling for the model, which eliminates many of the modelers need to purchase this aftermarket technical stencils decals.
Fuselage and Tail
Thin jointing, hatches, drains on the doors, beautiful lattice. On the geometry of the model is all right. There is no normal and accurate drawings for this aircraft, and the model from the words of the developer, done using original technical description and mathematics of plant.
Wing
Wing and center section made perfect. All textured and accurate, very accurately reproduced the wing profile - namely, twist the lower surface of the wing panels. Particularly pleased, as done the lattice on the center section and the beak on the front edge of the wing. Air intakes of air conditioning system in the leading edge of the wing have their own channels that given by separate parts.
Wing flaps is given in two versions - retracted and released. Comparison of the wing issued with photos of real aircraft did not reveal differences in detail and accuracy. Tractions of the flaps are separate parts. This allows them to shorten or lengthen, installing wing flaps not only in the take-off position, but also in the other - boarding and other intermediate positions. The design of the flap allows it. The only on the lower surface of the flaps was found small shrink plastic, but it is not a problem to fix. Besides the mechanization the inner side of the wing is also well simulated. All grilles and fairings on the wing of the real aircraft are reflected in the model, as can be seen from the attached photos comparison. In general, all very cool.
Cab and Clear Parts
Glazing made of the slightly flexible plastic, which made it possible to make a glazing thinner and sharper. In particular, it is clearly seen in the porthole, all parts without shrinkage transparent plastic. Individual parts are portholes, light windows in the rear fuselage and landing lights. Navigation lights on the fuselage and wing fairings molded from gray plastic. If desired, they can be easily replaced by a self-made transparent parts. No any questions for transparent parts, no traces of plastic shrinkage and optical distortion.
The cockpit and the front vestibule made quite rich for the 1/144 scale. Moulded all 5 seats with molded armrests for the crew - commander, co-pilot, navigator, radio operator and flight engineer. It is worth noting that, as on a real plane, pilots armchairs are different from the rest, steering wheels of captain and copilot also differ. There are side panels, flight engineers consoles, pilots dashboard and separately molded steering wheels, a simple imitation of the pedals, the bulkhead of the passenger compartment, the cockpit, the door from the cockpit to the platform, imitation of the curtains in the entrance in the passenger compartment. Certainly not lacking here decals for the dashboard, but they will likely not be seen through the cabin windows. The door can be assembled in the open (retracted into the fuselage) position or closed.
Engines
Unlike earlier Zvezda models in 1/144 scale, where the blades of the IGV (inlet guide vanes) were not always similar to the original, in this model the number of moulded plastic blades of IGV corresponds exactly to the prototype, and behind them, even looked through imitation of the blades of the first stage compressor of the low pressure (CPV). Moreover, it is very convenient to make spinner of IGV as a separate part, allowing them to paint this part separately and install after painting the blades. Detailing of nozzles D-30KU engines and reverse flaps for engines 1 and 4 is good. Nozzle channel is assembled from 4 parts. In general, all you can see on the photos, they speak for themselves.
The Tail Unit
Another feature of this model is movable horizontal tail, allows you to change the angle of the stabilizer on the assembled model. Stabilizer has small antennas on the endings, grilles on the bottom plane and the simulated elevators nodes.
Chassis
Although the landing gear doors are mainly closed (at ground or after takeoff) wheel bays are made in separate parts, and therefore have a normal depth and shape of the walls and they are repeat real aircraft wheel bays. So, who wants to make a fully open all the gear doors, wheel bays will already be in place. A simple simulation of the profile set is on the ceiling in the bays of the main landing gear. Unfortunately Zvezda does not detailing sidewalls of wheel bays. But this is due to technological limitations of moulding. Wheel bays moulded as whole part, and not consist from 5-6 separate parts. Landing gear done in two versions: loaded (compressed) and relaxed state. Tractions of bogies main landing gear are separately parts. Wheels and landing gears are very similar to the real ones. Tail support wheel is also given in 2 versions: the retracted and released. Overall, you can add only the wiring on the side walls of wheel bays. Everything else made excellent.
Sources of Information
As sources, was used the following resources:
https://www.airliners.net/
https://www.primeportal.net/hangar/howard_mason2/il-62_b-2024/index.php?Page=1
https://il-62.ru/
https://russianplanes.net/
And Sergey Lysenko photos
Summary
The long-awaited mass model of IL-62M has turned out well. Beautiful detailing, great compliance the prototype and the geometry of the model, self-contained decal with a full technical stenciling and 9 options (described in the instructions are only 5), a large number of options for assembling model (described in the instructions are only 3, although the model allows you to build 22 variants), movable stabilizer and wide availability. This model will continue the glorious traditions established by previous successful models of civil aircraft from Zvezda. Small plastic shrinkage - here, perhaps, and all shortcomings. Is not necessary to compare it with the previous models of this aircraft - it is on the head of their surpasses in terms of accuracy, quality of molding and the degrees of detail. This model would not require assembly improvements and will suit all categories of modellers.
Eventually, the model stood on a par with the best models in the 1/144 scale. Lovers of soviet civil aviation «Must Have».
Sincerely,
Andrew “SilverGhost”
Ivan “VMMaster”