Eastern Express Ilyushin IL-14 1:144 Aeroflot

[Malair]

My latest finished build is the Il-14 from Eastern Express. This was part of a Dutch group build, started at the beginning of last year.

 

You can't talk about the IL-14 without talking about the IL-12 first. As far as passenger transport in the Soviet Union is concerned, from 1930 onwards, the Li-2 (a DC-3 under license) was mainly relied upon. From 1944 (around the end of the war) the need for aircraft from their own manufacturers grew again and it was decided to develop the IL-12. In particular, being able to take off and land from unpaved runways was a hard requirement. The prototype flew in 1946 and the first flight with Aeroflot was in 1947. The first production variants of the IL-12 had room for 27 passengers (later expanded to 32 passengers). Approximately 250 civilian aircraft and 2750 military variants of the Il-12 were made). The IL-12 was replaced by the IL-14 in the early 1950s.

 

The IL-14 is very similar to the IL-12, but has a number of important differences, notably a wider vertical stabilizer and new type wings, as well as different engines. The IL-14M had room for 37 passengers (although in practice there were usually only 30). The IL-14 was produced in the Soviet Union, but also in the GDR and Czechoslovakia. A total of 1348 aircraft were made and flew with the Russian Air Force until 2005.

 

I used the kit from Eastern express (there is also a kit from Amodel, but I heard the Eastern Express kit is better). Although this is the IL-14T, it is practically the same as the IL-14M. I did use the Amodel decals though (apart from the cockpit and window decals that I once again made myself).

 

The kit is indeed very nice, apart from the engines:

But of course, nothing a lot of putty and sanding can’t solve.

 

I used Tamiya White for the upper part of the fuselage and Inspire Chrome for the metal parts. I used a different technique to create slight colour variants, where I first airbrushed gloss black, then masked the various panels, sprayed the first layer of Inspire, removed the masking and then sprayed the model again with a lower pressure. The results are slight colour variations across the model that I’m pleased about.

 

At any rate the pictures of the final result:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up is the Authentic Airliners DH-106 Comet 4C in Mexicana colours. She is already airbrushed, so most of the work is already done, so it shouldn't take too long to finish.

 

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

 

Martijn

[Bertie McBoatface]

That's an interesting tale and an interesting model too. The nose and tail look like they were borrowed from the DC-3?

[Shorty84]

Hi Martijn,

 

a lovely build and some really nice photos. They really convey the impression someone made fly-by shots at an airport 👍

 

Cheers

Markus

[Malair]

Many thanks guys!

 

16 minutes ago, Bertie Psmith said:

The nose and tail look like they were borrowed from the DC-3?

No, they are original designs. Having build build the Li-2 (a DC-3 under license) Il-12 and now the IL-14, I can say with certainty that the nose and tale of both the IL-12 and Il-14 are indeed quite different from the Li-2 (DC-3). That being said, the comparison to a DC-3 is often made, but in truth specs of the Il-14 are more akin to other contemporary aircraft such as the Convair 340 or Martin 2-0-2.

[SAT69]

Nicely built model and wonderful photography.

[Skodadriver]

Excellent and unusual build Martijn. Thanks for sharing. 
 

The Il-14 is a strange looking beast, a bit like a cross between a DC-3 and an HS-748 with a few more cockpit windows and an extra large fin!

 

I’m looking forward to your Comet. You don’t often see a Comet in Mexicana livery.

 

Dave G

[stevehnz]

Nice job on this Martijn, I have the Amodel -12 & -14 so lots to look forward too. 🤔 I will be happy if they can look as good as yours.

Steve 

[Wulfman]

Great build and presentation !

 

Wulfman

[Malair]

Many thanks for your kind words guys!

[GiampieroSilvestri]

Beautiful Ilyushin Il-14!

 

Saluti

 

Giampiero

[Pantherhawk27263]

That is an excellent job! Well done, I love it. 

[Mig88]

Fantastic!! Beautifullly finished.

 

Miguel

[Malair]

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

[Lewis95]

Fantastic stuff