Ikarus Ik-2 “VVKJ”

Azur Serie FRROM, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

MPM's 1/72 scale Douglas A-20G Havoc is available online from Squadron.com
 

The Ikarus IK-2 was an indigenous Yugoslavian design started as a private venture in 1932 by Ljuboir Ilic and Kosta Sivcev. The aircraft was ordered in 1934 from the Ikarus AD at Novi Sad and designated IK-L1. Interestingly, the “IK” was derived from Ljuboir Ilic’s surname and Kosta Sivcev’s first name, with the “L” in L1 standing for Lovacki, which means fighter.

The prototype first flew on April 22nd, 1935. This aircraft was soon lost to an accident, and the second prototype was designated IK-02, and flew in on August 24th, 1936. An initial batch of 12 fighters was ordered and delivered in early 1939. They went on to see service with the Royal Yugoslav Air Force, and subsequently some captured examples were used by the Croatian Air Force into 1942.

The IK-2’s development was quite protracted, and it was very much a transitional design between previous biplanes and more modern types. It was followed by the much more modern IK-Z which was designed by the IK-2’s original designers and Slobodan Zrnic (the source of the “Z” in IK-Z), and was built by Rogozarski. The similarity of the Cyrillic “Z” and Arabic “3” led to the aircraft being commonly known as the IK-3.

Previous 1/72 scale IK-2 Kits

I’m aware of two previous Ik-2 kits, but of course there could well be others. Guano Aeroplane and Zeppelin Works (GAZW) released a basic injected kit lacking cockpit details or decals in 1979. I have read that it built up okay, but I should think it would be very hard to find now. Czech Master Resin (CMR) produce a currently available and superb resin kit with PE details and numerous decal choices, as well as different wings and wheel spats to suit different versions. However kits such as this come at a price not everyone is willing to pay. Consequently a more mainstream injected kit by Azur will be welcomed by enthusiasts of Yugoslavian and generally more unusual subjects.

The kit comes packed in a typically Czech end-opening box, with attractive art-work on the front and colour schemes on the rear. Azur is a French concern, but the kit is produced by the MPM/CMK-Group of the Czech Republic. The styrene parts, canopies and decals & PE fret are each enclosed in a plastic bag. The instructions are A5 format with a brief aircraft history in English and French, as are any written instructions and paint colours. The diagrammatic assembly instructions are clear and easy to follow. Detail colour call –outs are generic, but the airframe colours include FS codes along with Gunze Sangyo and another brand colour numbers (The logo for this other brand is too small and poorly printed to read even with my opti-visor!).

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The parts have very fine surface detail, with the fuselage fabric areas being very subtly done. Small parts are moulded cleanly enough, but a little tidying up of parts here and there will be needed.

A nice touch I’ve noticed in other recent Azur releases is the option of injected or vac-formed canopies (you get one of each). Both are well produced and clear, although obviously the vac-form one has less optical distortion.

The cockpit detail is perfectly adequate for the scale and small size of the model. Styrene floor, seat, control stick and bulkheads are complimented by a choice of styrene or PE with photo-foil instrument panel (a choice many will welcome), as well as PE seat belts. Some structural framing is moulded into the fuselage walls in the cockpit area, but no throttle or other detail. This hardly matters as what is likely to be seen with a closed canopy is already catered for.

The wheels are typical of the moulding technology used in that they are each split in half. Propeller blades are finer that sometime found with this type of kit. The wing struts have small locating nodules to mate with holes in the wings and fuselage, something also not always found in this type of kit, but most welcome. The PE fret provides the four small bracing struts for the horizontal stabiliser, plus a nice touch in the form of a ring and bead gun-sight.

All in all construction looks to be very simple. Perhaps the greatest challenge I foresee is painting camouflage around the wing struts if these are fitted prior to painting, or alternatively blending these in after  painting if not.  In fact aligning the combined undercarriage and wing struts will need care. There are also two PE struts that form part of this structure which may need some thickening as they are significantly thinner than the other struts in this area. Also don’t forget to add four rigging wires from the top of the horizontal stabiliser to the fin.

Three colour schemes are provided in the instructions, one natural metal and aluminum dope scheme, and two camouflaged. The aluminum machine has decals for five similar aircraft, the difference being in the serial number applied. The decals themselves look excellent, with good registration and colour density. Azur offer another boxing, 72016, covering the IK-2 in Croatian service.
 

This looks to be a very good kit of an unusual but attractive 1930’s fighter. At the time of writing I could only find one stockist listing the kit, but like most Azur kits it should be readily available in due course. This kit should appeal to those who build small air force subjects, or who just find 1930’s transitional designs appealing.

Recommended.

Thanks to MPM for the review sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2011 by Mark Davies
Page Created 27 January, 2011
Last updated 27 January, 2011

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