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• IPMS UK Magazine Issue 04 2016 • 2016-09-24
• InternetModeler.com • 2015-11-10
• Scale Aircraft Modelling 04-201 • 2015-07-27
• Cybermodeler.com • 2015-03-25
• Air Modeller No. 58 • 2015-03-25
• Amazon.co.uk Cunstomers reviews (2) • 2015-03-25
• IPMS USA website • 2015-03-25
• SAM April 2015 • 2015-03-25

• IPMS UK Magazine Issue 04 2016 • 2016-09-24
  
• InternetModeler.com • 2015-11-10

  Il-2 Shturmovik

  By Matt Bittner

   

  Author: Viktor Povinsky
  Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications
  ISBN #: 9788363678371
  Binding: Hardcover
  Pages: 208

  When it comes to The Great Patriotic War (GPW) and Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily (VVS) aircraft, there hasn't been a lot published in English, which is highly unfortunate. There were a lot of great aircraft produced by the Russians to counter the Axis threat and to not have references for those types is a definite shame. Thankfully we now have an excellent publication on one of the most – if not THE most – produced combat aircraft of all time, the Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik. There were over 36,000 produced and unfortunately only a handful exist today and as far as I know, only one in flying condition.

  The book can be broken out in two major sections, the first section dealing with the actual aircraft and all its subtypes while the second part of the book is used for discussions about camouflage, contains color profiles as well as plenty of photos of existing aircraft. Lots and lots of photos, not only of the aircraft overall but tons of detail shots as well. While the first section contains drawings (in both 1/72 and 1/48) of the aircraft subtypes, the back section could be considered the "modeler's dream" section. Almost anything you would want to know to build a model of the Shturmovik can be found within the back half. If there was anything missing it would be paint equivalents for each color; however, this is not just a book for the modeler so it's not a surprise it doesn't exist.

  If you're a modeler and you have any interest at all in the Ilyushin Il-2 this book is a must. Be aware, though, one aspect it does not contain is any sort of operational squadron history, everything in the book is technical and a statement to the aircraft itself.

• Scale Aircraft Modelling 04-201 • 2015-07-27
  
• Cybermodeler.com • 2015-03-25

  By David L. Veres

  Review

  Billed as an "illustrated technical history of the most famous Soviet warplane of World War Two", MMP's Il-2 Shturmovik wonderfully recaps this classic combatant for aviation historians, enthusiasts and modelers alike.

  Over 36,000 Il-2s were manufactured – the largest single warplane production run in history. And contents commence with Shturmovik development and variant details. Packed with 1:72- and 1:48-scale drawings, MMP summarizes all key airframe, armament, internal and application derivatives over nearly 90 pages.

  Coverage then turns meaty for modelers in the book's second half. That's where you'll find several dozen color plates – both profile and plan views – and nearly 60 pages of close-up shots.

  Detail fanatic? Grab your drool cup! Massive measures of minutiae tincture text. Wood wings. Metal wings. Swept wings. Canopy variations. Fuselage variations. And armament. Did you know that nearly a thousand specialized – but unsuccessful – "anti-tank" versions with twin 37mm or 45mm canon were manufactured? And did you know that the formula for winter white distemper comprised chalk and casein – a milk-based – glue? I didn't, either!

  A couple concerns. I would have liked Federal Standard matches or approximates for Soviet camouflage call-outs. Artwork color contrasts could be better, too. You can barely discern differences between the dark gray and dark green on 1943 warpaint patterns. And operational notes appear as occasional asides in copy and captions.

  But enough nitpicks! This magnificent monograph carries my highest recommendation. And I hope this study signals a whole new MMP series.

  Make this handy handbook part of your library.

• Air Modeller No. 58 • 2015-03-25
  
• Amazon.co.uk Cunstomers reviews (2) • 2015-03-25

  More Shturmoviks were built than any other WW II Warplane.

  By John Matlock on January 21, 2015

  Designing a Shturmovik was a fairly simple task.

  The key is that you first take 1,500 pounds of armor grade steel and use it build a box. Then you it put an engine, fuel tank, and pilot inside the box. This box then becomes the front end of the fuselage, then you add the rest of the fuselage behind it consisting of normal light weight typical aircraft construction. Fifteen hundred pounds of armor is going to hurt performance, but it’s also going to increase your chances of return home. I find it interesting that the two big land army oriented countries built specialized aircraft for the ground support role: the German Ju 87 Stuka, and the Russian Il-2 Shturmovik.

  I also was wondering why both of these planes had inline, water cooled engines. A lucky hit, a so called Golden BB, through the radiator and your coolant leaks out fairly quickly and nasty things happen to the engine. The Shturmovik solved this problem by placing the radiator horizontal, in front of the pilot’s knees. Air was taken in from a vent above the engine and routed down through the radiator and then another curve to make it exhaust towards the rear.

  All of these questions, and many more, were answered in this book. There haven’t been nearly as many books on the Shturmovik as there have been on the P-51 or the Spitfire, yet more Shturmoviks were manufactured than Mustangs and Spitfires added together.

  Excellent Book!

  By Jason N. Moore on January 21, 2015

  Verified Purchase

  As an Il-2 Shturmovik aficionado (yes, there are such people), I have to say that Mr. Povinsky has done an excellent job with this book. As a long-time plastic modeller, I find the drawings well-done, and very informative regarding the changes that occurred to the Shturmovik during its enormous production run (the most, not just for Second World War warplanes, but for any warplane ever, a record that's not likely to be eclipsed any time soon). The colour profiles are also very nicely-done, and show well the different camouflage colours and patterns that adorned the Il-2. At last there is a book on the Il-2 that features accurate colour profiles! If you are interested in WWII aircraft, and especially if you are interested in the aircraft of the Eastern Front, I can definitely recommend this book.

• IPMS USA website • 2015-03-25

  Reviewed by: Paul Mahoney, IPMS# 8943

  MMP has just released what they are referring to as “an illustrated technical history” of the Il-2 Shturmovik. Like all other MMP publications, this book is published with high production values. Solid, hard covers enclose over 200 pages printed on heavy, matt-finished stock.

  The first 66 pages of this book describe the development and operational use of the Il-2, beginning with the initial concept of developing a heavily armed (and armored) ground attack aircraft. Various chapters describe the prototype, initial production, deployment, and improvements (such as adding a gunner and modifying the wing design). These are presented in a chronological fashion and make it quite easy to follow the evolution of the aircraft as combat experience dictated necessary changes.

  Each chapter has several clear, black and white photos highlighting the subject at hand. There are also numerous 1/72 and 1/48 scale plan views showing each variant, and (of great assistance to the modeler) differences are noted as necessary. Several scrap views appear throughout, illustrating various armament options, canopy changes, etc.

  Following this are several small chapters covering use of the aircraft as a spotter, trainer, anti-ship a/c (!), and finally use of the Il-2 in the post-war era.

  Next up are sections covering the technical description of the structure of the aircraft, as well as various charts of performance data, production numbers, and combat losses.

  Wrapping up this section of the book are a few pages dedicated to foreign use of the Il-2, and a list of the remaining Il-2s (the book lists 9 of these).

  Pages 89 through 92 discuss the chronological use of camouflage colors for the Shturmovik in relatively good detail. This is followed by 67 (yes, that number is right) pages of very well done color profiles. Each page has either two side-views, or one top view (often of the preceding page’s side-view subject). Accompanying text is helpful to the modeler, as little details in the markings and camouflage are pointed out. In many cases the 2 side-views are left and right sides of the same aircraft.

  The final 48 pages of the book are titled “In Detail” – photos (with captions) showing every aspect of the Il-2. These are grouped into sections such as overall view, armament, cockpit, landing gear, etc. Photos are a combination of wartime black and white images and color shots from museums. Scattered in here are some images taken from the factory Technical Manual. All the modern photos, and most of the wartime ones, are very crisp and clear. Differences in restored aircraft (compared to wartime ones) are pointed out as necessary.

  If you have any interest in the Il-2, then this book is certainly a worthwhile addition to your library. The author explains in clear, concise writing just how the aircraft evolved and how it was used in combat. The modeler will definitely appreciate all the detail photos, as well as the huge amount of color plates. Most definitely recommended!

  Thanks to MMP Books for the review copy, and to IPMS for allowing me to review it.

• SAM April 2015 • 2015-03-25