Continuing our look at the IBG models IAR 80/81 kits. In our first post here we looked at the historical background to the IBG Models IAR 81 C 'Great Air Battles of 1944' (72nd) kit. Now to see what's in the box. As a modeller who has built both the IBG D-9 and PZL. P.11 (see links below) I know that I am going to be impressed! IBG Models kit number 72570 "IAR 81 C- Great Air Battles of 1944" was designed by IAR 80/81 expert Radu Brinzan and features five frames of some 90 finely moulded parts and seven clear parts, a sheet of photo-etch with 17 parts and a decal sheet with four colourful options and full stencil data.
Above; PK shot of Grupul 6 IAR 81 Cs with the heavy cannon in the wings.
Below; a closer look at some of the sprues. Construction starts with the cowl gun assembly which locates onto the cockpit sill/instrument panel at the top and the foot rails which plug into the bottom of the seat. The cockpit is well detailed with 14 plastic parts and seven photo-etched pieces, including two types of harness straps. Note the engine parts - including both banks of cylinders -the radial comprising some 13 parts.
Note the recessed panel lines and riveting detail. I'm probably not the only modeller to think that this is a little 'finer' than the surface texture of the IBG Dora series, but I had no issues with those in any case. You really have to get the light on the rivets to notice them. The fabric texture on the control surfaces looks good (below) and note the raised cockpit wall detail.
In summary then, this looks like a slightly less complex kit than the Doras, although that may well be down to the radial as opposed to in-line engine which made for a very large internal sub-assembly. The build starts now!
