Modified ICM 1/72 Tupolev TB-3 / G-2 -Reloaded-

Gallery Article by Gabriel Stern on Feb 10 2011

 

   A few years ago I survived my encounter with the ICM Tupolev TB-3 kit that I converted to a civil version (known generically as G-2):
http://www.arcair.com/Gal5/4501-4600/gal4561_TupolevTB-3_Stern/00.shtm

   Since then three things happened:
1) I became more proficient making my own decals.
2) I gathered a bit more references on the type
3) The TB-3 model –a huge model with some serious mass- suffered a panne and was smashed.

   Considering all of the above I decided to “update” the model, although I usually don’t particularly like to dwell on the past, and pretty much leave the models alone once built.

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   The tasks at hand were:
1) To remove the old –and therefore absolutely fused on the surface- decals.
2) To design and print new (correct font) ones adding some lettering missed before.
3) To build new skis according to better references (wider and wood-colored)
4) To partially re-rig the model’s wires in a darker-colored filament (I had used silver-colored ones which couldn’t be told apart from the model background).
5) To remove the cover of the cockpit area and make a new one, a bit more accurate -shallower among a few other things-.

    As you well know removing old decals can be challenging, more so if the surface of the model is finely corrugated. In the process –and although I don’t consider myself clumsier than a Malabama Swamp Monster- I managed to knock off the four engines, the tail ski (yes, ski, not skid), the ailerons, the rudder and a few other miscellaneous bits.

    The new skis were carved from basswood, painted and varnished, and then a “metal” strip was added to emulate the original. A pedestal for the axles was then glued.

    The new decals were applied, a task always a bit tricky on a corrugated surface. After I took all the photos I realized that I didn’t apply the AEROFLOT decals (in Cyrillic naturally). Those were added after the photo session (no way I was going to handle the beast again for another session).

    Then all the detached parts and small parts that were knocked-off during repairs had to be put back in place, carefully since the massive model requires attentive manipulation.

   Under proper Aeroflot management, and now a bit more accurate thanks to the “accident”, this dinosaur from another era is ready again for some serious load transport on the white expanses of Mother Russia.

Gabriel Stern

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Photos and text © by Gabriel Stern