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I knew what I was getting into when I bought this kit, but I've wanted one for a while. So, presenting ICM's Tupolev TB-3.

TupolevTB-3.jpg

You may be curious why I called this the most overengieered kit in history. A quick glance at the parts layout will reveal why:

TupolevTB-31.jpg

Let's take a little tour, shall we? Okay, lets' start at the bottom. All those darker green pieces? Wings. The skinny ones are part of the fuselage, but mostly it's wing parts. The center and center right sprues contain small details- engines, props, wheels, and the like. The center left sprue is a bit of a shmorgasboard- leading edge pieces (more parts of the wing!), elevators, some fuselage pieces, etc. The next two sprues are some more fuselage pieces and the beginnings of the tail.

The upper sprues are the MOST interesting. See all those flat pieces? They go INSIDE the fuselage and wings. Yup, you get REAL ribs and formers with this baby! (Wait, we're still building plastic models here, not balsa flyers? OK, just checking.) You see now why I called this kit overengineered? No? That's to bad.

I'm planning something REAL special for this sucker. I got a few obscure references coming, I need to buy a few more kits, and for the first time I'm actually going to spring for a PE set (gasp!).

All I can say is stay tuned...... :popcorn:

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I kept looking at the photo for fuselage halves and thought you had left those sprues out of the shot until I read your description of the parts breakdown. All the best with this one! I'll really look forward to seeing your inprogress work.

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I aggree with Lucien - LOADS of fiddly parts to assemble - but the end result looks impressive.

I added lots of tabs inside the wing sections to aid adhesion......

Zveno_03.jpg

Being even more perverse - I made mine as a Zveno 'Aviamatka' (Mother Ship) - with FIVE fighters attached.

The build is on the excellent VVS modelling site.

I have another in the stash - to maybe do as a 'plain' TB-3 - I wish someone would do a resin conversion set to make the later TB-3 with single mainwheels, clened-up airframe etc....

Keep us informed of progress Lucien...

Ken

PS - I'll get back to you re the email you sent.......

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  • 2 weeks later...

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