Multi-Seat 2026 Group Build. Ilya Muromets rebuild. (Maquette 1/72)

[Tim Mixon]

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.


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Forward staggered wing needs to be rearward stagger
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Engines need to be offset


My reference book



Some engine shots to remember how to reassemble them!





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

[NigelR]

Now that's quite some project, but definitely a worthwhile one!

[DaddyO]

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

[Alexis]

Will be following how the rebuild goes Tim .



Alexis

[Dirigible-Al]

I'd love to build a Muromets but most probably won't so I will be eagerly following your one.
Alan.

[enathan]

Looks like it will need a major restoration Tim, will be interesting to follow.

[lone modeller]

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.

[Tim Mixon]

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.


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.




Here is the underside details. The greenhouse windows up front were particularly challenging.




Ready for primer to see what I need to correct.
That?s all for today, thanks for looking in!

Tim

[DaddyO]

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

[NigelR]

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.

[Tim Mixon]

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.


As you might have guessed, this was very time consuming.


Next I sprayed a light coat of Tamiya deck tan over all.


Then I removed the masking.
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Next came another light coat of deck tan to blend in the wood structures.
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This looks pretty flat and dull overall.
So I decided to mask all the rib tapes in prep for clear smoke.
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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

[DaddyO]

Great to see this one shaping up so nicely.
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

[PrzemoL]

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!

[NigelR]

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.

[lone modeller]

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.