For my first build of 2026 I will be doing ICM’s 1/48 Russian U-2/Po-2 multi-purpose aircraft. This is a bi-plane that was initially used as a training aircraft and was also used as a liaison, reconnaissance, medevac, and general supply aircraft on the eastern front during World War II. The aircraft was so versatile that it was built from 1929 thru 1959 and used by 16 different countries during it service years. The version I will be building will be early WWII with skis for landing on snow covered fields.
I first started off with the cockpit area of the fuselage halves by adding some details like the control levers and paint it. The instrument panels were then painted and I used the kit decals for the instrument faces. The fuselage halves were the put together. While gathering the parts for the lower cockpit I notice the landing light that mounts under the lower wing. I drilled out the kit “lens”, painted it with chrome paint, and created a clear lens from acrylic gel.
I then worked on detailing the lower cockpit. The first thing I added was seatbelts to the seats. I then trimmed down the kit rudder pedals and made the foot straps. These were mounted on the lower wing assembly and then this was mounted to the fuselage. I am now working on the engine assembly and adding some details to the fuselage.
