Ludvík Kružík Author
As if I didn't have enough work already, I added another item to my list of unfinished projects.
I had wanted to build an An-2 aircraft for a long time. This aircraft has its own charisma. Although it was created at a time when modern monoplanes dominated the skies, its biplane design evokes memories of the era of biplanes. What's more, I have personal experience with it. I had the opportunity to fly in it, albeit only as a passenger. The memory of that flight has stayed with me to this day. 🙂

Ludvík Kružík Author
The set contains nicely crafted engine parts, but no parts for the interior of the transport cabin. I adapted my project to this. The doors of the transport cabin will remain closed, but I will open the engine hood.

Ludvík Kružík Author
I started building the model by assembling and painting the engine.

Jakub Fiala
Engine looks very good 👍

Denis Dogadov
It might come in handy-
karopka.ru/forum/forum189/topic33942/

Alec K
Nice! Taking a seat 👍

Ludvík Kružík Author
Denis, thank you, I'll take a look at it when I have time.

Hi Alec, make yourself comfortable. It's another project of mine that will need a little fine-tuning. 😄

The next step was to make adjustments to the front section. Although the engine parts are manufactured correctly, the assembly instructions were clearly written by someone who had never assembled this model before. Otherwise, there would not be such errors in them. According to the instructions, it is impossible to install the engine in the model.

Alec K
Sad to hear about the sucky instructions. Are you going to build it with open engine compartment?

Ludvík Kružík Author
Unfortunately, this sometimes happens. I discovered the error when I was trying to assemble the engine. I realized that it wouldn't work according to the instructions. So I compared the shape of the parts and their placement in the bow with the photographs.
Interestingly, apart from a minor modification to part F15 (a hole needs to be cut in it for air to enter the engine) and a change in the placement of individual parts, everything fit together without the need for further modifications.

The engine is really well made and detailed by the kit manufacturer. It would be a shame to hide it in a closed nose. I managed to find enough photos of the engine and its installation in the aircraft. That's why I decided to build a model with an open engine. I hope it turns out the way I imagine it.

Ludvík Kružík Author
Today I finished the engine. Now it's time to start building the fuselage.

Ludvík Kružík Author
I assembled and painted the cockpit and closed the fuselage.

bughunter
Oh, a bigger biplane 🙂 Great work so far 👍
Is this kit better then the Hobby Boss one? In a review the HB kit looks great. I hope the PE designed for HB (seen in your project list) fits here!

Ludvík Kružík Author
Frank, it's good to see you here. The An-2 is definitely not a small aircraft. The model has a wingspan of 38 cm and a length of 26 cm.
As far as I know, AN-2 models in 1:48 scale were produced by three companies: A & A, VALOM, and Hobby Boss. I chose my model based on reviews and photos posted on the internet. After studying this information, I came to the conclusion that each of these three models has its pros and cons. My choice of model was ultimately influenced by my personal preferences. I want to build a model with an open engine. Everything else will be closed. The A & A kit best meets my requirements. It has the best-made engine and other parts in the engine compartment. Compared to the competition, it has the best-made fabric-covered wings surface. Parts for the interior of the transport cabin are missing, but that doesn't bother me. The cabin doors will be closed, and the round windows on the sides of the fuselage don't allow much visibility into the cabin.

The Eduard photo-etched set is designed for the Hobby Boss model, but it can also be used for the A & A kit without any problems.

Ludvík Kružík Author
I am continuing with the construction of the model. I glued the upper and lower wings together and started working on the open nose with the engine.

Ludvík Kružík Author
The engine compartment is no longer so empty. First, I added an oil tank with piping. Other devices, pipes, and cables will follow gradually.

Alec K
Nice progress on the engine compartment 👍

Ludvík Kružík Author
Thanks, Alec. I'm slowly continuing to add more details to the engine bulkhead.

Ludvík Kružík Author
Once again, small progress in the work on installing the engine. I modified the air intake cover for the engine and prepared the engine for installation in the nose of the aircraft.

Ludvík Kružík Author
As of this afternoon, the fuselage of the AN-2 aircraft is equipped with an engine and upper wings.

Alec K
It's coming together! 👍

Ludvík Kružík Author
Alecu, I'm just starting to assemble large parts of the model, but it's already clear that it won't be a dwarf.

There is currently no progress in the construction of the model. I didn't get around to working on the model over the weekend. My colleagues from our modeling club and I visited a competition and exhibition of plastic models in Bratislava. And today we had a club meeting, so I didn't get around to the model today either.

Jakub Fiala
You're fighting it very bravely, Ludvíku. I really like the engine installation. 👍

bughunter
It seems that it will be a big biplane soon 👍 Nice details!

Ludvík Kružík Author
Jakub, thank you! The installation of the engine is not yet complete. I will add a few more details that can only be precisely positioned after the engine has been installed in the fuselage.

Bughunter, thank you for the compliment. But it looks like the large biplane won't be finished anytime soon. The pre-Christmas period is not very conducive to working on the model. In addition, I was delayed by the production of new lights in the lower wings. The transparent parts from the kit are bad. They have a large number of hairline cracks that reduce the transparency of the "glass" and unfortunately cannot be polished. So I have to make new headlight glasses.

Guy Rump
Looking great, following. 👍

Ludvík Kružík Author
Guy, thank you for your contribution. It's good to see you here. 🙂