Ilya Muromets- This biplane is DONE!

Lookin' good Mike.  I like watching your unique builds.

Chris

Great stuff. Still reminds me of Zany Afternoons.

But Mike, it ain't snowin' where I sit!!

Looks good, maybe I'll build mine someday. 

UPDATE!

Somehow, before the snow hit, I was able to lay down a really bad first coat of paint on the two main sections of my Ilya.  Not much to say, except for that it's a custom color of straight linen, albiet a bit dark.  The only thing I painted is what you see- the undersides are still the color of primer.  Also, I re-sanded some areas which got real nasty orange peel on them, to be taken care of later.  I was going to finish up tonight, but as luck would have it, that's when a snowstorm blew in.  So, this is how this build may stand for a while.

Comments are welcome.  (If you think I need to lighten up the color a bit, feel free to let me know.)

Alright, I was able to get a bit of work done on the engines of this beast, hopefully a focal point of the final model.  Unfortunately, the kit parts were- disappointing.  Little more than plastic bricks, they needed a bit of work. 

Now, if I wanted to be REALLY accurate, I should have scratchbuilt replacement, exposed cylinders.  I didn't want to do that much work, though, so I just added a number of linkages on one side of the engine blocks.  Thankfully, after painting, drybrushing, and the other kit hoses, the engine still looks pretty good.

The left engine is the kit engine block.  The second is the same part after my additions.  The third is a painted example, without detailwork.  The last is the final engine after drybrushing, mounting, and finished up with kit parts.

Here's the engine where it's eventually going to be.  Behind this will be a bit more detail, along with a very prominent radiator.  Overall.... not too bad!

Next up- more seam work and LOTS of drilling! 

Nope, haven't given up on the Goose- still pluggin' away whenever I get the chance.  I had to re-do the aileron as the old one was too wide.... and I'll have to make another one for the OTHER side...

I think removing the flaps and ailerons was the biggest mistake I've done in a while....

Ah, well.  To answer your question, no, I haven't forgotten her- just haven't been doing any work that's really post-worthy. 

Mike, not to get off topic, but, what's up with the Goose?  Have you given up on her or did ya finish her off and I missed it?  You always come up with some off the beaten path stuff.  I really enjoy seeing what your going to build next.  This one is no different!  Great work as always.

                                                                                                 Chris

The fuselage box is now a box... with wings!  (And part of a tail)

Closeup of the cockpit- it's pretty rough, but will all be taken care of later.

While this entire sucker is huge, the tail is noteworthy in being especially broad.  There's probably more horizontal surface area in the tail of the Ilya than there is in the entire I-16!

I also was able to get the top wing together.  It consisted of five pieces, all of which had a different airfoil shape.  Somehow I got it together, and will need to begin to clean it up.

I could have waited to attach the wings to the center section, but by constructing the entire wing in one piece, I was able to get a reasonably flat wing, and still have the opportunity to clean up the (nasty) seams between pieces before final assembly.

The downside is that now I have a massive one-piece wing I need to attach to the fuselage all at once.  Which should be... interesting.

Ah, well.  Next up- the wonderful and exciting process of SEAM CLEANUP! 

Looking good so far, but I think you should seriously consider some couch time with a shrink.  Your "self punishment syndrom" is getting out of control.

Darwin, O.F.   

She looks good so far!

Best of luck you you, and may God have mercy on your soul!

Beautiful plane!!! My father biul a kit a few years ago... you have a nigthmare in your desktop.

best regards, an above all, GOOD LUCK!!!!

Jeremias

You really do like to punish yourself Mike.  Have you considered seeking professional help?

 Just kidding, looks like great progress on what appears to be a difficult build.  Keep us posted.

Regards,  Rick