Petlyakov Pe-2

Zvezda, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Zvezda's 1/48 Pe-2 will be available online from Squadron.com

The Petlyakov Pe-2 was a Soviet light bomber used during World War II. It was regarded as one of the best ground attack aircraft of the war and it was extremely successful in the roles of heavy fighter, reconnaissance and night fighter. It was one of the most important aircraft of World War II, similar in many respects to the British de Havilland Mosquito.

Pe-2s were manufactured in greater numbers (11,427 built) during the war than any other twin-engined combat aircraft except for the German Junkers Ju 88 and British Vickers Wellington. Fourth in production numbers was the American Lockheed P-38 Lightning with 10,037 built.

The Pe-2 was fast, maneuverable and durable. Several Communist nations flew the type after the war, when it became known by the NATO reporting name Buck.

Six captured Pe-2s were also transferred from the Germans to the Finnish Air Force during the German invasion of the Soviet Union. *

There has been no particular shortage of 1/48 scale Pe-2 kits over the last two decades. Koster Aero Enterprises was first on the scene with their vacform kit.

MPM released their offering in 2000, followed by Historic Plastic Models (more often known as HiPM) Pe-2 early and late versions later the same year. MPM's and HiPM's kits shared no parts in common, and were typical limited run fare of the time. In other words, surface textures were fine but there was a fair amount of clean-up and test-fitting involved.

Zvezda has now released a 1/48 scale Pe-2 kit that is light years from limited run.

Zvezda's 1/48 scale Petlyakov Pe-2 comprises 305 parts in grey plastic (additional 21 not used), 17 parts in clear plastic plus one decal sheet covering three subjects.

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Quality of the plastic is excellent. It is neither too soft nor too brittle, and I can't find any sink marks on my kit. Sprue attachment points are fine and flash appears to be non-existent.

Surface detail is also first rate. It is crisp and thin throughout, but it is noticeably finer on the fuselage.

Zvezda offers the choice of displaying one engine. The engine is very well detailed, including tanks, radiators, plumbing and bearers.

The second engine nacelle is designed to be buttoned up, but it does include an insert inside the nacelle at the front of the wheel well that provides rear engine detail. This will be visible through the open undercarriage doors. Although the instructions do not mention it, there are two of these inserts so you can build the model with the undercarriage lowered and both engine nacelles sealed.

Two styles of exhausts are included - separate stacks or straight-through flame dampers (although the latter appears to apply to all three marking options in this box).

Other options include retracted or lowered undercarriage (main and tail wheels), alternative positions for the mid-upper glazing, and separate control surfaces that may be posed to taste. The wheels are all plastic and they look great.

The fuselage interior is a work of art, being made up from around 100 parts. Decals are offered as an option for the instrument panels, while various quadrants, handles, bulkeads and details are supplied as separate parts. The machine guns and their ammo look fantastic. There are also four very nicely moulded multi-part seated crew figures, although there is only room for three of them!

Canopy parts are clear and thin.

The bomb bay is also fully fitted out with bulkheads, racks and two bombs. The fuselage bomb bay doors may be posed open or closed. Two additional bombs are included to sling under the wings.

The decal sheet looks to be well printed but the decals are pretty much dead flat, which always makes me nervous. Ensure your model has a nice glossy surface before applying the decals and some setting solution probably won't hurt.

The instructions are well drawn and quite logically laid out. I wasn't wild about the simplification and apparent linking of the engine display and undercarriage position options, but if that is the worst crticism I can find, this must be a very good model!

Zvezda has delivered a superbly detailed kit of this important Soviet bomber.

The level of fitout will be accompanied by an equivalent degree of complexity in construction, but with planning and care, this should be a stunning replica when complete.

Guess what I'm bulding next...

Highly Recommended.

* background information courtesy of Wikipedia.

Purchased by the reviewer

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2016 by Brett Green
Page Created 3 February, 2016
Last updated 4 February, 2016

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