Zvezda 1/144 Il-62M Kit First Look

By Ivan Meshkov and Andrew Kuznetsov

First Look

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 scale, 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 are 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 1990s. this model was repackaged by 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 three assembly options (but in fact there are more – 22 available options) and five 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. Molding is quite accurate and clear. No sink marks, but plastic shrinkage observed in some places on a fuselage and wing flaps.

Decal

Decal includes four paint options:

1. Il-62M Aeroflot CCCP-86483, factory number 2829637, serial № 29-03
2. Il-62M Aeroflot, RA-86483, factory number 2829637, serial № 29-03
3. Il-62M MChS (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations), RA-86570, factory number 1356344, serial № 56-04
4. Il-62MK Aeroflot CCCP-86517, factory number 3139732, serial № 39-03

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.

Cockpit 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. Molded 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 molded  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 one and four is good. Nozzle channel is assembled from four 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.

Landing Gear

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 detail the sidewalls of wheel bays. But this is due to technological limitations of molding. Wheel bays molded 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 two 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:

• http://www.airliners.net/
• http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/howard_mason2/il-62_b-2024/index.php?Page=1
• http://il-62.ru/
• http://russianplanes.net/

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 five), a large number of options for assembling model (described in the instructions are only three, 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 modelers.

Eventually, the model stood on a par with the best models in the 1/144 scale. Lovers of Soviet civil aviation «Must Have».