Toko 1/72 Il-2M 'Flying Tank'

TOKO 1:72 IL-2M 'FLYING TANK'
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Myself (smakr@bigpond.com)

Kit Details: Toko #132; 1/72 scale Il-2M Flying Tank

Aircraft History: Over 36,000 Il-2 were produced, most of which was during WW2 where it earned its reputation as arguably the most important tactical warplane of that era. Principally in use by two countries, Czechoslovakia and USSR, the Il-2 featured four main variants of the basic type. After the German invasion, the Il-2 proved itself a potent warplane, in particular as a tank buster and ground support aircraft, although it was vulnerable to fighters.

Kit Parts: Three sprues containing 40 light grey injection molded parts; and one sprue with three clear parts are all bagged together. Panel lines are engraved with some subtle fabric and raised rivet detail also included. The parts are well moulded, if a touch thick, and there is almost no flash to speak of.

Instructions: This comes in the form of two folded A4 sized sheets to make an 8-paged A5 sized booklet. German, Russian and English are the featured languages in text. There is a good history overview on the front page which also contains armament and other specification tables. There is a clear sprue diagram on the next page with parts not used crossed out (appears to only be the wing mounted landing lenses) followed by some 'useful advice' for modellers. Then follows a very small series of six detail assembly steps showing construction for propeller, cockpit, canopy surgery, wheels and ordnance - although it is best to say these are "line drawings" as it only provides the outline of each part, and no detail which makes cockpit assembly somewhat vague. The centrespread is the only actual construction step for the whole kit as such, and thankfully includes lines and detail on individual parts sketched, so you can also use the cockpit assembly here to refer to on the previous page to assist in positioning. The final three pages provide top and port-side profiles [only] of each version the kit caters for. Small scrap sketches for ordnance, propellers and underwing outer section provide information for decal placement/painting there (the box bottom below shows basically what is in the instructions minus the frontview). Humbrol paint range (including their names!) is quoted for the painting with each assigned a letter "Italeri style" as reference during construction.

Colour Options: There are three examples which are catered for in the kit, one of which is shown on the bottom of the box. Since the information about their identification is written in Russian, I am not even going to attempt to translate! Firstly there is an IL-2M, 8 Guards' ground support aircraft's group of Black Sea Navy, 1943 (obviously info taken from box!) wearing Black Green, Mid Stone and Grass Green upper camouflage over Hellblau undersides, note the rear canopy section 'cut'. The second is an IL-2M, 1942-1943 era in winter Matt White upper scheme over Hellblau undersides. The third is an Il-2, 1942-1943 era in the same scheme as the second example.

Decals: On the sheet these look very similar to "propagteam" types, with excellent crisp colour register, in a matt appearance the decals themselves are very thin with only a very small amount of carrier film. The type that will require some good planning, making sure they go into their place the first time, since they will probably want to stay put! Don't miss the white decals, which are very hard to see on the very pale bluish backing. Two types of the six Russian stars are provided.

Cockpit/Wheel Bay Detail: The main cockpit section is moulded integrally with floor, huge bulkhead between forward and rear cockpits, rudder pedals and side-panel with throttle - as seen in the first sprue image above beside the tailplanes. Also supplied are rear gun and armoured mount; instrument panel, control wheel and seat, all of which is nicely rendered. Unfortunately the instrument and side panel has no detail (other than the throttle mentioned) at all, nor any decals, so scratchbuilding these is needed. There is no sidewall or wheel well detail.

Optional components: There are two canopies supplied in the kit, I haven't yet worked out what the difference is but assume one is for Il-2 and the other Il-2M? Surgery is still required on the smaller of the two to depict an open rear cockpit as shown on the version on the instructions.

On the Sprue Impressions: This was the first Toko kit I ever purchased and obviously with some reservation, but on opening the box I was so impressed with what I saw, I went out and purchased others. Some say that their quality can be comparable to that of ICM, without the oily residue.

Test fit does reveal a few areas that need some attention, for instance the tailplanes are almost needing to be forced into their locating areas.... but once in they don't require any glue!! The main wing sections go together well but I would suspect have a similar story to tell when fitted to the fuselage. Fit overall looks to be quite good. Only the undercarriage, antennae/aerials, ordnance and pylons make up the smaller components of the kit so should not be a really fiddly kit to put together. The cockpit section is almost fully moulded for you and while I did not detach and test fit, should surely fit well as a result. Detail is very good overall, but the fuselages are very subtle in the detail they supply externally.

Mould imperfections are really very minimal with only the most minor of flash on some of the smaller parts, easily removed with the hobby blade. Ejector pin marks are also uncommon with only a couple on the fuselage interiors needing some attention. There are none on the bombs, pylons, wheels or other areas you usually find them which is a big plus. There are some seam lines that need a run over with the blade. The detail on the smaller components is very good for this scale with the machine gun nicely rendered, and the wheel tread is depicted realistically and subtly.

Accuracy: On the basis of advice from other modellers this kit is very acceptable in all areas, and there is still debate over which is more accurate Dakoplast or Toko, as both kits are very similar. Of course you can marry up parts from both kits to counteract the minor flaws inherent in each. While I haven't pulled out any measuring information or got scale plans, I have taken it that the advice of others is pretty reliable.

Conclusion: From first impressions this kit is one that can be highly recommended and looks like it will build into a nice accurate Il-2M replica.

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Related INBOX Reviews:-

Eastern Express/Dakoplast 1/72 Il-2 Stormovik

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