Red sky at night

More toys from the Megablitz shelves now.  This time it's the turn of the Soviet Air Force or VVS.  Until relatively recently there were no models available of Soviet aircraft types, so my early efforts were confined to 'Lend-Lease' machines.  Happily we now have a modest range available from True North (now owned by Old Glory in the USA), Reviresco and F-Toys.

I'll start us off with the I-153 - the oldest type I have.  This is a True North metal kit and was assembled and painted by Wg Cdr Luddite - my standby when it comes to building bi-planes.

Another I-153, this time in improvised winter camo.  The I-153 was developed from the earlier I-15, from which it differs by having a new-fangled retractable undercarriage.  It'll never catch on.

Another True North model - this time an I-16.  Conveniently this is supplied as a one-piece casting.

My original Soviet air support - a Lend-Lease Hurricane.  This is a Revell plastic kit which certainly looks as it it's had a hard time at the front.

More Lend-Lease from Revell - this time a P-39 Aircobra.  Another very basic kit but it does the job nicely.

A Yak-9 from a largely pre-built Japanese (F-Toys I think) kit - at last my Russians can look Bf-109 pilots in the eye and not blink first!

So much for fighters - on now to bombers.  Once again I was forced to start off with Lend-Lease models.  Here is one of my pair of B-25 Mitchells hastily completed for a series of games at shows a few years ago.  Kit by Academy.

One of my (very) dodgy conversions now - an IL-4 built from a plastic kit of a Japanese bomber.  My guiding principle here is - if it's green with big red stars on the wings it must be Russian.

Another of my conversions - this time an SB-2.  Based on the same kit as the IL-4 but with the rear fuselage and tail hacked about a bit and the nose and engine nacelles cut down.  Needless to say this monstrosity was finished only a few months before Reviresco launched their metal SB-2...

You knew they were lurking somewhere - IL-2 Sturmoviks.  More from F-Toys.  First a VVS aircraft on the ground....

...and finally a Polish IL-2 in flight.

There will be more Soviet aircraft to follow as and when they are painted (so don't hold your breath) including Mig-3 and Pe-2.  If anyone knows of other suitable models or sources thereof I'd be glad to hear from them.