1/144 Atlas Editions DieCast Ilyushin DB-3 (IL-4)

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Atlas Die-Cast 1/144 Scale Aircraft - Russian Ilyushin DB-3 (IL-4) ~ Mint in Box. This is your opportunity to own a highly collectible 1/144 die-cast replica of this famous aircaft from the Atlas Military Giants of the Sky Series. This superb pre-painted and assembled die-cast model from the Military Giants of the Sky series requires only installation of the undercarriage to complete. These are a simple push fit. The model also has an optional and attractive heavy duty black plastic flying display stand bearing the name of the aircraft (Illouchine DB-3) in silver. ___________________________________________________________________ Historical Information DB-3 Ilyushin DB-3 (DB for Dalniy Bombardirovschik) was a long range, twin-engine, low-wing monoplane that first flew in 1935. It was the precursor of the Ilyushin Il-4 (originally named DB-3f). 1,528 were built and served in numerous roles, particularly as long range, general purpose bombers and torpedo bombers. DB-3s were the first Soviet planes to bomb Berlin. The names TsKB-30 and DB-3 were used in 1936-1938. Later aircraft were named DB-3b. A modified aircraft, (TsKB-30 "Moskva") flew from Moscow to Spassk-Dalnyj (7580 km) in 24 h 36 min (an average speed of 307 km/h) mostly at 7,000 m under control of Vladimir K. Kokkinaki and A. M. Berdyanskij, then from Moscow to Miscou Island (New Brunswick, Canada) in 22 h 56 min. covering 8,000 km with 348 km/h average airspeed (Kokkinaki and Mikhail Gordienko). Four types of engine were installed on different versions of DB-3 bombers: M-85, M-86, M-87 and M-87A. The only known surviving DB-3 is currently displayed at the Central Museum of the Air Forces in Monino, Russia. DB-3 was followed by the updated DB-3M, which looked similar with the exception of a much larger and more rounded nose. However the plane was actually quite different internally. Using lessons learned from the Li-2 (Douglas DC-3) the entire plane was re-built using T shaped formers instead of the tubes and U-beams. This led to a tremendous reduction in the time needed to build the plane, and the DB-3M was hurriedly put into production. DB-3F / IL-4 A change of engine from the 708 kW (950 hp) M-87B to the 820 kW (1,100 hp) M-88 resulted in the DB-3F, which were eventually renamed in 1942 as the IL-4. Some series had wooden outer wings and front fuselage to conserve metals, and throughout the production engines and fuel tanks were upgraded for more performance while keeping the same range. However the most notable change was the addition of larger defensive guns in the turret, using the 12.7 mm (0.5 in) UBT in place of the earlier 7.62 mm (0.3 in) weapons. In addition it was found that the gunners were attacked first, so blocks of armor were placed around the gunner positions. All this extra weight wasn't offset by the newer engines however, and the IL-4 proved to be slower than the earlier versions at only 404 km/h (251 mph). An attempt to improve performance was made as the Il-6, adding large diesel engines and heavier armament. The engine proved unreliable and production was never started. The IL-4 remained in production until 1944, when just over 5,200 had been built. The IL-4 started life as a quickly produced bomber prototype called the TsKB-26. Parts of the fuselage and cockpit were taken from the TsKB-12 (Polikarpov I-16) fighter, married to new wings made of welded steel U-beams and tubes. Only a few were built before attention turned to the updated TsKB-30, which included a new fuselage using the same construction methods. Welding the beams required three welds per joint, so the plane took a huge amount of time to build. Nevertheless the design had excellent range and was quite sturdy. It was put into production in 1936 as the DB-3, with 1,528 being completed by 1939. Source: /wiki/DB-3 and /wiki/Ilyushin_Il-4 __________________________________________________________... read more

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