"WHEN it rains, it pours!" It often seems that this is, indeed, a perfect description of the current situation vis a vis the Il-2 modeled in 1/72nd scale. Having suffered for years with nothing more than some rudimentary kits of this most critical of all War-time VVS machines, the last 12 months have produced nothing less than nine model kits of the Il-2. Truly, "The Year of the Shturmovik"!

    With that in mind, a review of all the available kits is in order, both the new releases and the old. In this article, we will attempt to differentiate between the various kits available, their respective features and variants, and a basic review of the kit's characteristics. In time, we should have more in-depth reviews of each model as they are completed; the purpose here will be rather more comparative.

The Il-2:

    Happily enough, over the series of kits now available a large number of Il-2 variants may be constructed right out of the box. The following table details the variant and model for each of the kits as released, per kit manufacturer.
 

    From a developmental point of view, this means that one can construct most of the War-time Il-2 variants right from the box. Following the history of the Il-2, one can model these aircraft:

Il-2 AM-38 Series 1: The very first production series of the Il-2. The Toko single-seat kit represents this machine right out the box. The distinguishing features here are the early metal wing (compare the wing's panel line structure, for example) and the odd 3-stack exhaust (which was quickly discarded).

Il-2 AM-38 Series 2~4: The use of the early metal wing continued for a short time, approximately through the fourth Series. The Toko kit will build this model by replacing the molded on exhausts with the extra, more typical set provided. The exhaust in this case is the standard 6-stack type, as on all subsequent models. The armament largely remained the 20mm ShVAK at this point, as provided in the kit.

Il-2 AM-38, Metal Construction : The early Il-2 Series were of all metal construction. This variant lasted essentially until the evacuation of the factories to the East in the Fall and Winter of 1941. The standard variant for these aircraft is represented well by the SMER kit. You'll note the revised and simplified wing panel line arrangement, and other sundry changes.

Il-2 AM-38, Ski-Equipped : Again, the SMER kit provides components to complete this model right from the box.

Il-2 AM-38, Wooden Construction : The most numerous Il-2 single-seat model was the new variant featuring a wooden fuselage and outer wing panels, as provided in the Dakoplast kit. This construction is obvious from the lack of panel lines appearing on these surfaces. There were also a number of equipment and various detail changes, as well, most notably the armament with repositioned weapons typically including the VYa-23 gun.

Il-2 AM-38F, Two-Seat : Commonly called the "Il-2M" in the West (and occasionally in the East), this standard variant can be completed out of the box by the Dakoplast kit. The Toko "Il-2M" kit erroneously comes with metal outer wings, and these will have to be modified (typically by sanding away the panel lines) to conform to this model.

Il-2 AM-38F NS-37, Two Seat : A version of the standard two-seat, straight-winged Il-2 with the underwing NS-37 cannon armament can be built out of the box using the Dakoplast kit, which comes complete with these pieces.

Il-2 AM-38F 1943, Two-Seat : Commonly known as the "Il-2M3", and more properly referred to as 'so Strielkoy' and 'twin-spar', these machines feature wooden swept-back outer wing panels and wooden fuselages, and were the most numerous of all Il-2 variants. The Dakoplast kit builds this machine out of the box.

Il-2 AM-38F 1943 NS-37, Two-Seat : Again, Dakoplast offers a version of the 'twin-spar' with the NS-37 cannon pods.

Il-2 AM-38F 1944, Two-Seat, Mixed Construction : This unusual Il-2 variant is kitted by Toko and KP out of the box. The only caveat here is that invariably the camouflage schemes provided on the markings sheet are inappropriate for this model, and instead apply to standard 'twin-spar' machines. This model features metal outer wing panels and a wooden fuselage.

Il-2 AM-38F 1945, Two-Seat, All-Metal : The Eduard kit builds this variant out of the box.
 

The Kits:

    The following table provides a comparative review of the features of the respective Il-2 kits. The various ratings, naturally, may be regarded as somewhat subjective, but overall they should provide a fair guide to the different kits.
 

Builder's Impressions:

[MB] Matt Bittner
[EP] Erik Pilawskii

KP Il-2:
[MB]    "A bit 'chunky', but if you must work with an older Il-2 kit, the KP is the best bet.  There is a lot of work cutting parts off the sprue, cleaning up and thinning the parts, but it's entirely possible to build this into a decent Il-2 model."

[EP]     "The KP kit is actually impressive if you consider how old it is. The fit on this kit is quite good (a lesson for modern Il-2 models!), but of course a lot of work will be required in the cockpit. I agree that a fine Il-2 could be made with this kit, however, and I do not consider it to be entirely out of the realm of modern modeling."

Toko Il-2:
[MB]    "The cockpit requires a lot of work.  Not only are the items included therein portrayed inaccurately, but 99% of the detail is missing.  The fuel cell looks to my eye to be the wrong shape.  The port side 'shelf' with the bomb release control is too high.  All aspects of the floor are too narrow and it will not reach the fuselage sides.  The rear gunner's aft armor plate is round instead of actual three-sided plate of armor.  The armored bulkheads surrounding the fuel cell don't exist. However, other than the cockpit, this is an awesome model.  The wing-to-fuselage joint appears to be the best engineered of any model.  Granted the wings are metal when they should be wooden (on the "-M" and "-M3"), but that can be changed easily by sanding and/or filling to represent a proper Il-2 1942 or '43."

[EP]     "Basically nothing in the cockpit here, except for a rudimentary structure. The kits are a complicated mix of really outstanding features, and really poor ones. Indeed, one will have to fill in the outer panel details to construct a proper 'twin-spar' Il-2, which is annoying (schemes for the odd mixed model are few and far between), and for the standard two-seat model. The wing root to fuselage joint is utterly outstanding; in fact, this method-- in which the root fairing is molded onto the wing pieces-- simply must become the standard method for all model aircraft kits, period. It really makes that much sense, and a perfect seam (or, actually NO seam) on the model. The fit of the horizontal stabilizers, however, is equally un impressive, and left me with the distinct impression that they were designed for a different model altogether. The Toko kits make for an impressive finished model Il-2, but it is a long and sometimes aggravating trip there."

Dako Il-2:
[MB]    "While the external detail is the best of any Il-2 model kit, the fit is horrid enough to make one think twice before building it, unfortunately.  The worst fit area is the wing center section to fuselage joint.  Not only will you have to worry about the external joint, but you also have to worry about the joint inside the cockpit. Once that joint is taken care of, then you have to worry about extending the center section sides down to meet the cockpit floor. However, once this area is overcome the rest of the kit should be a better fit.  The cockpit is the second best of the 'new' molds, although there will be no sidewall detail once the center section to fuselage joint interior seam is cleaned up."

[EP]     "With utterly remarkable surface detail and superb planform and construction detail accuracy, the Dakoplast kits are my personal favorites. Unfortunately, these otherwise world class model kits are marred by a horrific wing-to-fuselage construction problem-- the engineering in this regard is as bad as I recall seeing on any kit. The resultant seam is terrible, and mars an otherwise superior effort. Still, despite all that, I recommend the Dako kits over all others, noting the accuracy and fidelity of the kit in all other regards. The result, after much sweat is spilt, should be a wonderful Il-2 model."

SMER Il-2:
[MB]    "Hands down the best cockpit of the 'new' Il-2 molds. Unfortunately, the fit of the wings to the fuselage and the horizontal tail to the fuselage seems very suspect.  Another plus to this kit is the addition of the extra ski's, and the photoetch sheet.  However, there are those above mentioned joints...."

[EP]    "The SMER kit boasts a very complete cockpit with a nice PE set right in the box. Also excellent are the provided rocket and bomb munitions, and the wonderful parts to construct a ski variant. The surface detail is certainly not up to the Toko or Dakoplast kits, but it is adequate. Unfortunately, the wing to fuselage joint seam is yet another completely unique disaster, and will serve to jeopardize much of the existing wing detail. Despite this, the SMER is an Il-2 kit well worth the effort."

Eduard Il-2m3:
[MB]    "When Eduard announced their Il-2 I was excited. With their reputation for photoetch and - later on - resin replacement parts, the Eduard had the possibility of being the best Il-2 produced. Not so. Although I have yet to see the "profi-pack" kit with the photoetch and resin, the Il-2 Eduard chose to mold is the all-metal aircraft. Very few of examples of this variant saw any wartime service, and it appears that the decal schemes that come with the kit are for the more widely produced all wooden twin-spar. Too bad. The cockpit is third-best, and I can see if the photoetch is handled correctly it could be the second best. However, the Eduard cockpit will never be better than the SMER primarily because the Eduard floor is integral with the lower wing. The biggest advantage with this kit is the two separate canopy's - one completely closed, and the other in multiple pieces to pose open. But, one of the biggest disadvantages with this kit is the same wing to fuselage joint as the Dakoplast without the Dakoplast advantages (for example the separate outer wings)."

[EP]    "I have not yet had the opportunity to examine the Eduard's fit, but I was distinctly unimpressed by the kit's surface detail. I suspect the photoetch and resin will make for a nice cockpit, however. Furthermore, once again one is left either to modify the aircraft, or search for very obstruse photographs of mostly post-War aircraft to finish the kit. I suspect that a very fine model could be built from the Eduard kit, but I suspect it will not live near the top of my to-build pile."

Neomega Il-2 Resin Cockpit:
[MB]     "This cockpit is a must when building the Toko kits. It may also be modified to fit the Dakoplast kits, but there will definitely be some work to do so. What you may want to do is use parts of the Neomega cockpit with the Dako kits. Such things as sidewall detail - which may just hide the ugly interior seam - and seat, etc. could be used with the Dako kit. Overall the resin cockpit is excellent. The amount of detail contained within this set is amazing. The only problem with it is Neomega copied the Toko round rear gunner's armor plate toward the rear of the plane, instead of providing the three-piece angled armor. You can probably get away with scraping/filing away the round portion, and glue the rest to corrected three-sided angled armor plates."

Addendum:
[MB]     "To build the Toko 1st series single-seater, I would purchase the Neomega resin cockpit and modify appropriately for the single-seater.  You may be able to stick parts of the Neomega cockpit into the Dakoplast kits, but like I stated before, it won't be easy.  To make a contest quality Dako kit - once the horrid joints are overcome - it would be best to use the sidewalls from the Neomega cockpit, and add the PART photoetch to the existing Dako parts.  In my opinion, the 'ultimate' 1/72nd scale Il-2 kit still does not exist...."

[EP]     "I find myself struck by the breadth of Shturmovik variants that one can immediately construct with these Il-2 kits; it really is most impressive. Above all else, I personally value kit planform and detail accuracy, and the quality of the surface detail. For me, then, the Dako kits are the clear winners. But, there is also no question that these kits suffer from very drastic fit problems, and I'll be looking hard for a workable solution to these. The best contest entry kit, to my mind, might actually be the SMER Il-2 and its superb cockpit-- hard to say. The Toko kits are also worthy, and the single-seater covers a very interesting variant. The Year of the Shturmovik has been bountiful, indeed...."

Il-2 Variant Photo Gallery:
 
 

HEIGHT=366 WIDTH=553> Il-2 AM-38 Series 1

HEIGHT=302 WIDTH=508> Il-2 AM-38 Series 2-4

HEIGHT=366 WIDTH=604> Il-2 AM-38, Metal Construction

HEIGHT=228 WIDTH=607> Il-2 AM-38, Metal Construction, Ski Equipped

Il-2 AM-38 1942

Il-2 AM-38F, Two-Seat

Il-2 AM-38F NS-37, Two-Seat

Il-2 AM-38F 1943, Two-Seat

Il-2 AM-38F NS-37 1943, Two-Seat

Il-2 AM-38F 1944, Two-Seat, Mixed Construction