The Ilyushin Il-28, developed by the Soviet Union just after World War II, became one of the era’s most enduring jet bombers. A total of 6,316 Ilyushin Il-28 were built in the USSR, and around 316 were produced under license in China as the Harbin H-5. Ilyushin Il-28 was powered by two RD-45 engines, enabling a top speed of approximately 800 km/h and the ability to carry a payload of up to 3,000 kg. It had a crew of three: pilot, navigator and gunner. Ilyushin Il-28 was exported to more than 22 countries. Today, North Korea is the only country reportedly still operating an Ilyushin Il-28 in regular service.
In Romania, the Ilyushin Il-28 entered service with the Royal Romanian Air Force in 1955, when the first aircraft arrived. Romanian Ilyushin Il-28s were retired in 2001, a year after their last public appearance at Timisoara Airshow 2000.
Scale model -1:48 Ilyushin Il-28
The first model I built of this aircraft was the 1:72 scale kit from Trumpeter, but I’ve moved toward 1:48 scale models, which offers a better balance between detail and display presence.
Currently, there are two known 1:48 Ilyushin Il-28 kits available on the market, produced by different manufacturers: HPH Models from the Czech Republic and BOBCAT Hobby Models from China.
The 1:48 Ilyushin HPH kit is exceptionally well done and highly detailed. It includes photo-etched parts, paint masks, metallic landing gear components, and a wealth of fine details that would satisfy even the most demanding modeler. However, it appears to be no longer available. In fact, the 1:48 Ilyushin Il-28 kit is no longer listed on HPH’s official website. When it was still on the market, it came at a relatively high price, which is typical for short-run resin kits of this complexity. Given the current availability situation, I opted for the BOBCAT Hobby Models 1:48 Ilyushin kit, which I bought from Hong Kong.
1:48 Ilyushin Il-28 kit details: kit number: 48006; scale: 1:48; manufacturer: BOBCAT Hobby Models; total parts number: 275; resin parts number: 0; photo-etched parts: 0; transparent parts: 14; paint masks: 0; total length: ~ 45 cm wingspan: ~ 40 cm.
Decal and instruction sheet – 1:48 Ilyushin Il-28
The decal sheet offers nine marking options, six for the USSR and three for the People’s Republic of China. As far as the USSR is concerned, the following options are offered: four variants for aircraft belonging to the Black Sea Fleet, and two variants for Ilyushin Il-28 belonging to the Pacific Fleet. There are three variants for the People’s Republic of China, two of which are for the Air Force of the People’s Republic of China and one for the Naval Forces. Assembly, painting and marking instructions are detailed over 19 black and white pages. The instructions are clear, so I don’t see any problems that could occur during any of the stages of assembling, painting or marking the 1:48 Ilysuhin Il-28 scale model.
Conclusions – 1:48 Ilyushin Il-28
I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised after opening the box of the 1:48 Ilyushin Il-28 scale model produced by BOBCAT. It looks like a well manufactured and highly detailed scale model, being cast from a gray plastic with negative engraved parts. The parts for the interior of the cabin, the landing gear and other details of this aircraft render a very realistic image of the inside and outside of this plane. The 1:48 Ilysuhin Il-28 model can be made straight out from the box without any problems and, most important, without any aftermarket parts. It has everything that is needed so that you can build an impressive 1:48 IIyushin Il-28. Obviously, if anyone desires to improve the scale model, there is no impediment in doing so. What is certain is the fact that it is a very successful model that I highly recommend.
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