forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Tim Mixon on April 19, 2026, 11:35:15 AM
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The current condition of my 20 year old Ilya Muromets is a sad state of affairs. It didn?t survive my move in 2014.
I?ve decided to try and rebuild it and correct some of my original mistakes:
1. I placed the upper wing in a slight forward stagger instead of a rearward stagger
2. The inboard engines on each wing should have a forward stagger from the outboard engines. This will prevent the propellers from striking each other.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_0574b679fa368b71cecaaeb4493f28b0.jpeg)
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(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_3575e62fdd82c56b09eab3129d11a90e.jpeg)
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Forward staggered wing needs to be rearward stagger
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(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_a8add32c26b66d7792d09c15277763ab.jpeg)
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Engines need to be offset
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_ce461a16da2e5c4c604986a701269cfd.jpeg)
My reference book
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_4d4bfe34341f09a3c45c81c8b0cec346.jpeg)
Some engine shots to remember how to reassemble them!
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_beb60650fc229f16551ec36752b3dc3b.jpeg)
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_21f1283ac76a85d41bcbe00be02a6634.jpeg)
I?m going to add a lot of extra detail and completely repaint the model.
This one will be a real challenge. I?m not going to mess with the interior because I don?t want to crack the fuselage open.
More to come soon.
Thanks for looking in!
Tim
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Now that's quite some project, but definitely a worthwhile one!
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That's a sad looking model Tim, but a great subject for a rebuild and I'm really looking forward to seeing this one progressing. :)
The kits don't pop up too often although I've seen a couple built up at shows it always seems to be a subject that's overlooked besides its German counterparts so it will be good to see you giving this one the treatment
Paul
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Will be following how the rebuild goes Tim .
Alexis
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I'd love to build a Muromets but most probably won't so I will be eagerly following your one.
Alan.
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Looks like it will need a major restoration Tim, will be interesting to follow.
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Looks like you have taken on a major project even though you do not intend to modify the fuselage interior.
I too will be following with interest.
Stephen.
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Ilya Muromets Part 2.
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. This project is going well so far.
Here are all the major fuselage parts disassembled and sanded.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_2417061157d40aa9a128d1f7dc16d47e.jpeg)
Here you may find I replaced most of the acetate windows and framed them in. This may be a little bold but it looks much better than un framed. I also added the fuel lines on the upper surface of the lower wings. The ICM kit has these molded in.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_4aec3622fff950c8360e51729f181795.jpeg)
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_f00a8017c32a872e6333830d3bd4e62a.jpeg)
Here is the underside details. The greenhouse windows up front were particularly challenging.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_c2948e94a9211c38e69ac090a7601374.jpeg)
Ready for primer to see what I need to correct.
That?s all for today, thanks for looking in!
Tim
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Coming along nicely Tim. :)
One of the 'problems' I find of working in Gentleman's scale is that of detail; if it's a prominent feature should I add it knowing it will be a tad overscale or leave it off? Personally I like the framing which adds a nice bit of interest to the greenhouse at the front (and well done for getting all those tiny bits in place which I'm not sure I would have managed) The new fuel lines on the wing rather than the moulded in items are spot on
Paul
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This is really impressive work Tim, I'm really impressed that you are prepared to do so much work to resurrect this one. I think the glasshouse framing works very well.
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Part 3.
I started the fabric painting process with a coat of rusty brown primer. Then I masked off all the wood planking, spars and longerons.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_20481e52b55cd6f1f0c119656470765a.jpeg)
As you might have guessed, this was very time consuming.
(http:// https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_d342a1e3ad13aab87ecb5de6c5d25f58.jpeg)
Next I sprayed a light coat of Tamiya deck tan over all.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_074e9fbd18d12565f53968f169f98d5e.jpeg)
Then I removed the masking.
.(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_baff9f671937fcae3ab647ec407c3a6c.jpeg)
Next came another light coat of deck tan to blend in the wood structures.
.(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_00841293c4225a850276b56f7c37c758.jpeg)
This looks pretty flat and dull overall.
So I decided to mask all the rib tapes in prep for clear smoke.
.(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202604/2970975_61987e62522986649a88b9d6d8525e3f.jpeg)
Masking! Masking! And more masking!
I?ll post more soon showing the finalized fabric effects.
The National markings on the fuselage are masked and sprayed. The Russian roundels on the wings are Americal Gryphon decals.
Thanks for looking in!
Tim
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Great to see this one shaping up so nicely. 8)
Very informative photos as well; I'll try the light coat before and after masking the ribs next time because I quite like the worn effect it gives (up until now I've always tried to get a solid coat and then had to get the worn effect with paints later)
Paul
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Wow, I do admire your resolution to rebuild the model! For me it would be so much discouraging. But I see you are doing the great job. Fingers crossed for the final success!
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I hate masking! But you clearly have quite a high tolerance for it..... ;) This looks really good so far, it's going to be well worth all the effort.
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Wow that was a lot of work there - including the masking. You must be a glutton for punishment!
The added details look very good - like Paul I am always a bit ambiguous about small details in this scale, but in this case they have worked extremely well. Many congratulations on your skill and perseverence.
Stephen.
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I need some popcorn for this build. Exciting!
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That is a great rebuild!
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I have wondered how they fly. There seems to be little weight in front of the wings and the tailplane is so massive the whole thing should drop almost vertical once in the air.
Alan.
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Looking very promising so far Tim .
When you built it , did you add details to the cockpit ? I notice the wooden walk planks for the engines ....this is not in the kit for what can recall , are those plastic card or PE ?
Alexis
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Thank you Alexis. Yes, the interior is pretty well detailed. I don?t like the wood effect I used back then but it can?t really be seen all that much. The wing walks are very thin plastic card. I added the fuel lines from brass rod because the Macquette model doesn?t have them. I have a real problem that the pilot seat has broken loose and is rattling around inside the cockpit! Hopefully I?ll be able to fix it.
All the best,
Tim
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Part 4.
Thanks all, I am enjoying this rebuild. After getting all the undercarriage constructed, I began to build the engine mounts and wing walkways. The Russians sure used a lot of lumber on this project!
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_2dc82a7ec12689b8f3591c3fbeb738a1.jpeg)
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(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_9d0840c722d5cc98b83705eb789bfe9b.jpeg)
Next up I decided to complete the tail section.
The two outboard rudder fins actually were braced with metal rods. The kit parts are thick wood planking and not correct.
(http:// https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_b0cc13c2be3f947346c0b22b2b3a8238.jpeg)
Here is everything assembled. There is more rigging on this tail than most whole WWI aircraft!
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_6bb276309974d7c4e066c315b9535ace.jpeg)
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(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_e0f4305f8d1bb0c1a59bfd73372fc76c.jpeg)
Here is where I?m at now. Ready to start the Argus AS-II 140 HP engine rebuilds.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_6cd024876016bca30611dbceb9c294ea.jpeg)
Thanks for looking in!
Tim
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Lovely work Tim, my goodness the rigging!
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Wow, just wow! What a beast!
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This looks amazing. And that rigging!!! :o
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Part 5. Argus AS-II engines.
The Maquette kit really has some major flaws. One of which is the very poor representation of the Argus engines. So bad that I actually scratch built them. These don?t look very good either but are much better than the kit offerings.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_4715c990e6d39129735d19646c7e8a8d.jpeg)
I?m going to strip them down and see if I can rebuild them to a little higher quality.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_9df6db8f3a323faefd352d91d351d236.jpeg)
I?ve repainted them and will add new push rods from copper wire.
The engines are mostly complete and I added the scratch built radiators. These were assembled from brass strip and rod.
Once again the Maquette kit had really poor radiator moldings.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_285b9300143d54212613d64c0a001d87.jpeg)
Here?s the front view. The radiator plumbing was hard to gather aligned. The engine exhaust pipes are cut brass tube.
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_fbc9938c1092a3df11d18ea052e8a200.jpeg)
My attempt at getting an interior shot.
I guess you can see some of the interior details.
Still haven?t fixed the loose pilot seat though!
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202605/2970975_f8a6c5ae8a341dc968c4798f50a41def.jpeg)
That?s all for now, thanks for looking in!
Tim
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That is mighty fine!
Have one in my stash so know about the poor quality.
Regards Joachim
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Thank you Joachim. Yes. If you consider building an Muromets, look for the ICM kit. It is much more detailed.
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I continue keeping my fingers crossed. Great recovery underway!
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Wow again, those engines are pretty good and the radiators and plumbing are superb. This really will be a superb model when it's done.
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Some really nice work on the rebuild Tim , that is a lot of rigging on the tail ! Don't think I will be building the one I got in the stash still any time soon
Alexis
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This is amazing and very commendable save of a difficult kit. Looking very good. I built the same kit back in the day and had to modify a lot get it somewhat right. I actually modified it to the Sunbeam engined variant, to avoid the hopeless engines of the kit. Good to see yor scratchbuilt and modified components there
Cheers, Skyhook
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This is more than restoration - it is a complete rebuild with more scratch built parts than original kit! The tail rigging alone is very impressive.
Stephen.
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Thank you Nigel, Prze, Alexis. I?d like to see your build Skyhook. I plan to modify one into the blunt nose version with Sunbeam engines in the not to near future.
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This is more than restoration - it is a complete rebuild with more scratch built parts than original kit! The tail rigging alone is very impressive.
Stephen.
I am in 100% agreement with Stephen! That tail rigging would have stopped Me in My tracks! Engines and all of the rework look great!
RAGIII
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Finished! I?ll post more in the completed thread:
(https://attachment.tapatalk-cdn.com/45241/202606/2970975_c0c0d163aaa05e9d1fd419fe2c20571d.jpeg)
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Wonderful!
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Superb work! Looks totally convincing, congratulations!
Cheers, Skyhook
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That is a beautiful and very impressive build! Outstanding in all aspects!
RAGIII
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Wow that is an outstanding restoration.
Stephen.
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Kudos!