Kagero Publishing Ikarus IK-2 Monographs Special Edition in 3D

[Mike]

Ikarus IK-2 Monographs Special Edition in 3D

ISBN: 9788366148628

Kagero via Casemate UK

 

 

The IK-2, which I didn’t know a thing about until I had read the book, was the first native Yugoslavian designed and built aircraft, made by two dedicated engineers that weren’t being appreciated by their employers, so they decided to go it alone after work hours and created their own company, as well as the design that resulted in the IK-2.  Initially they focused on a design called the IK-L1, which evolved substantially into the IK-02, which first flew in 1935.  It became a high-wing monoplane with a Hispano-Suiza engine generating a little over 800hp and a 20mm cannon running straight through the centreline and exiting through the prop.  By the time it reached limited production it was outclassed, and by the time the Nazis invaded they fought bravely but briefly, with some of the undamaged airframes being sold to Croatia's then puppet state as trainers or communications aircraft until they eventually went to the scrapyard.  This goes a long way to explain why there are no extant airframes, and little in the way of documentation or photographs of the type available today.

 

The Book

This is #13 in the Monographs Special Edition in 3D series, and it of course covers the Ikarus IK-2 in great detail, providing information that hasn’t been seen before, and correcting many errors in the accepted understanding of this rare type.  It is hard bound and extends to 198 pages plus a blank sheet at the start and end, so it's a weighty tome.  It was written by Aleksandar M Ognjević and Branislav J Mirkov, the latter also being responsible for the lavish 3D artwork.  In addition to the plans in the book, there are two loose sheets of double-sided A2 sheets of plans in 1:32, devoted to the first prototype and the production series.

 

• Introduction
• About Ikarus AD
• Ikarus IK-2
• The First Prototype IK-1L
• The Second Prototype IK-02
• The IK-2 Series Production
• Service before the 1941 war
• The 1941 April war
• In Croatian service
• Conclusion
• Camouflage, Markings and Inscriptions
• IK-2 Technical Information
  • Cockpit
  • Engine
  • Fuel System
  • Ignition System
  • Lubrication System
  • Coolant System
  • Hydraulic System
  • Compressed Air System
  • Fuselage
  • Wings
  • Ailerons
  • Flaps
  • Horizontal Stabiliser
  • Vertical Stabiliser
  • Rudder
  • Landing Gear
  • Oxygen System
  • Electrical System
  • Lighting System
  • Light Monitoring Instruments
  • Radio
  • Weapons
• Appendices

i Weapons technical data

ii Abbreviations

iii Air Force rank comparison

iv VVKJ unit structure

v VG structure on 6 April 1941

vi Ikarus IK-2 individual airplane history as known so far

vii Ikarus IK-2 technical Data

viii Technical data comparison of the Ikarus IK-2 against two most modern Royal Yugoslavian Army Air Force fighters

ix Geographical locations with coordinates

• Bibliography
• Acknowledgements

 

 

 

The first 56 pages are a mixture of text and pictures, detailing the beginning of the company, its design goals and how it went about achieving them, as well as the history of the aircraft as you’d imagine.  After that comes 25 sides of plans in 1:48 and 1:72, which have been religiously researched from all available sources and should represent the most accurate plans out there due to the fastidious nature of their interest, using fresh research as their baseline rather than trusting the common “understanding” that has been passed down through the years.  Following on are 117 pages of 3D computer renderings that take you deep into the heart of the machine, peeling it away like layers of an onion.  The detail shown here is extremely impressive and would be an absolute boon for the modeller with an eye for it that perhaps wants to strip away some of the skin to reveal what's underneath.  This will be especially of interest to anyone with the few kits that are available in 1:72 and 1:48 from Azur Ffrom, CMK and Aeropoxy.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

The IK-2 is an unusual aircraft, and perhaps not well known because of its relatively short service and the fact that only 12 production aircraft were ever built.  Well worth a read for the history of it, even if you never expect to be able to lay your hands on a kit.

 

At time of writing, this title is on substantial discount at UK Distributors, Casemate UK

 

Review sample courtesy of