The Il-28 is one of the icons of Cold War combat aviation. Codenamed “Beagle” by NATO, this jet bomber is typical of Soviet aircraft for this period, being very purposeful in appearance but having an almost agricultural vibe. These aircraft were built for a mission, and there are few bells and whistles or luxuries for the crew. This kit from Bobcat, a relatively new Chinese manufacturer captures the intent, and spartan nature of the aircraft well. This release represents the torpedo-bomber version.
The kit comprises 285 parts, 14 of which are molded in clear styrene for the canopy, nose and rear gunner glazings, and lights. The 20-page instructions are poor, being disjointed and lacking direction. For example, the model needs nose weight to sit on its gear. That detail is included, but in very small print amongst the general clutter of one of the instruction steps. I did not see it until quite late in the build. (Note: You can put weight in the radar dome.)
Color callouts refer to Mr. Hobby, Tamiya, and Model Master paints, but I question the correctness of the suggested colors.
Interior detail is fairly soft and nondescript. The instrument panel and side consoles lack definition, and small parts such as the throttle levers and external antennas have substantial sprue gates, making removal and clean up arduous. Fit is generally passable throughout, but some fettling is required to align many joins.
The clear parts for the canopy, nose, and tail also have issues. In addition to being less than clear, the framing is rather soft and ill-defined. The best solution here would be to sand the entire part, then polish each to achieve the desired clarity. Once they are clear, I would mask and paint the framework.
The kits biggest problem is the surface finish. More than 90% of the airframe’s exterior is covered in a rough, pebbly texture. That issue is compounded by the fact that most Beagles are painted silver, exacerbating the effect, especially where seams have been filled and sanded. This texture could be corrected with extensive sanding and polishing. Interestingly, the engine exhaust cones are smooth and clean, so the plastic can be polished to a fine finish. Compounding the problems, obvious sink marks mar the wings and would require substantial time and effort to completely eliminate.
The decals performed well, settling down over surfaces. I can’t say they are the sharpest and most refined decals I have ever used, but they provided adequate results.
A 1/48 scale Beagle has long been on my wish list, and while Bobcat’s offering can be made into a convincing model, it will take a lot of work to turn it into a really good replica. Poor fits, soft details, and the pebbly finish make for a frustrating build, so this a kit for experienced modelers who really want an Il-28 in their collection.
Note: A version of this review appeared in the July 2020 issue.