Amodel 1/72 Shavrov SH-2

AMODEL 1:72 SHAVROV SH 2

Reviewer: Richard Stracey (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 13 March 2003 (#63)

Kit Details:

SHAVROV Sh 2 A MODEL #7216 1/72

Aircraft History:

Vadim B Shavrov designed the Sh 2 while working for the OMOS design bureau. It first flew in 1930 and proved to be very successful in many roles such as ambulance, fishery patrol and trainer. The last one was retired in 1964! The Sh 2 was an amphibian, the wheels being retracted manually by means of a crank on the dashboard. Having a wingspan of 13m and a length of 8.2m the Sh 2 was powered by a five cylinder 100 hp M11 radial engine.

The Kit:

This limited run A Model kit consists of fifty parts of which three are clear. The instruction sheet is in Russian but with paint names in English too. This is no problem as the exploded views are simple to follow. The cockpit differences are pointed out in the painting guide although it is not clear if part No. R3 is used in the Finnish version.

Construction Notes:

As with most limited run kits, the parts look rough and crude at first glance but in this case, the surface detail is very good and once the parts are cleaned up things look much better. I am not sure if the aerodynamic float attachments count as wings which would make this a sesquiplane but for modelling purposes, it can be treated as such. The wings can be made separately from the fuselage and assembled after painting. The upper surface of the wing inserts need a bit of work to get them to sit flush in their recesses otherwise the wing construction is simple enough.

The engine can be added after all painting has been completed. Being very prominent, it needs a bit of extra detail. I drilled the rear of the cylinders and added exhaust stubs from telephone wire insulation and wire push rods with simple rocker gear. Not a big job but very worthwhile. The fuselage halves proved no trouble and the interior fittings are adequate as, being hidden under the wing, not much can be seen. The deck (C1) does need a bit of trimming and filler.

The horizontal tail surfaces fit well but the struts are too short which is no big deal as it is probably easier to replace them with wire or Contrail strut than to tidy the kit ones up. The sesquiplane wings/float attachments could have had a more positive location but proved adequate. Now would be the time to decide on the canopy options to go with the very generous decal options.

After painting, the wings and fuselage can be joined. The various mounting holes in the lower wing are obvious and only need reaming out however the location points on the fuselage are less so. The front point is just above the undercarriage so, using the struts D2 and E2 as templates I marked the rear mounting points and drilled the four points before firmly gluing D2 and E2 to the fuselage. After that it is no problem to attach the wing before adding the struts (M3). As with all limited run kits, some detail is just to small or delicate to suit the medium. In this case I added control horns and cables, a little “flag pole” complete with paper “flag”and a mooring ring at the bow.

I did consider including the closed loop undercarriage retracting cable but didn’t….maybe one day in 1/48. The Sh 2 had folding wings that could be achieved in model form. Part No. A2 pivots upwards at the leading edge and the wings hinge at the rear outer corners of A3/B3. The front wing struts are removed and the whole wing pivots on the rear struts. Many Sh 2’s seem to have flown without the spinner.

Decals:

As I said, the decal option is very generous, most being in Russian WW2 Green topside and blue under. I used Humbrol 114 and 115 or Testors 2122 and 2123 could be used. The exception is “K8” for which they recommend a mixture of 80% Radome Tan and 20% Light Grey. It sounds a strange colour and I wondered if it was supposed to represent clear doped linen. In that case what colour would the metal parts such as the cowling and spinner be? I have seen a picture of “K8” in winter white complete with skis. If you made “X104” you would have to make of find a pair of wire wheels, as they were uncovered. I chose the Finnish version “AV186”. They managed to steal two from the Soviets (all is fare in love and war) and decals are provided for both. A Model shows both the top and bottom of the wing tips to be yellow. Although I can’t prove it, I can’t find any picture of a Finnish aircraft so. I just painted the under surface yellow.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a very satisfactory little model that I enjoyed building. As there were between 300 to 700 full sized ones made, there must be a few preserved. I would love to see one fly although I would not fancy flying in that open cockpit on a fishery patrol off Siberia at – 30 C! I wonder if Shavrov borrowed that fin and rudder from a De Haviland aircraft?

Reference:

Although the Sh 2 gets a few mentions on the internet non were really of much use but V13 p.2900 of the Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Aircraft deals with it. Scale Aircraft Modelling of April ’02 has a build review and Scale Aircraft Modelling #358 of ’99 has an article on this kit but with 1/48 scale plans! The only reason to supply 1/48 plans with an article is to pad out or fill up space which is what SMI were doing a lot of at that time.

RHS/63

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