ZVEZDA 1:72 PETLYAKOV PE-8
'INBOX Review'

 

Reviewer: Johan De Wolf (rec.models.scale)   

Kit Details

History

The Pe-8 started life as the ANT-42 and was intended as a replacement of the obsolete TB-3. It was designed in 1934 at the Tupolev OKB and the first flight occurred in 1936. Although the aircraft performed well soviet military doctrine saw no need for a long range strategic bomber. A second prototype and 3 years later, with the onset of war in Europe, low rate production finally was finally granted. The production version was designated DB-7 and was initially powered by AM-34 engines. These were soon replaced by the improved AM-35’s. Production was halted several times because of more pressing demands for other aircraft types, lack of official interest and problems with engine availability. Because the Mig-1/3 fighter was also powered by the AM-35 and as fighters where in greater demand, the DB-7’s would have to be powered by another engine. A solution was found by using Ach-30 and soon after the improved Ach-40 diesel engines. However these engines were heavier, produced less power and proved to be unreliable. There for performance suffered accordingly and the aircraft with these engines were unsuited for combat use. With the closing of the Mig-3 line the AM-35 was available once again and production switched back to these engines. Several diesel powered DB-7’s also had their engines replaced by AM-35’s. The availability of this engine was short lived as AM-35 production was ended in favour of the M-38. The M-38’s were of course all reserved for the Il-2 Shturmovik, so yet another solution had to be found.  This time the Ash-82 radial was selected even though this meant redesigning the engine nacelles. By this time the DB-7 had been renamed Pe-8 after its chief designer. The Ash-82 engined aircraft were the most powerful of the series. When Pe-8 production ended in 1944 only 95 machines had been produced (including the two ANT-42 prototypes). There had been plans to build an improved version of the Pe-8 but its design was terminated when officials decided that it was simpler to just copy the B-29. Pe-8’s were the first Soviet aircraft to bomb Berlin, and small scale nuisance raids on Berlin and other strategic targets continued throughout the war. These heavy machines were also used for tactical support during the battles at Kursk and Stalingrad, but suffered heavy losses. They were most successful when they attacked the fortifications at Königsberg on the Baltic coast with FAB-5000 bombs. Because of attrition and the slow production there were actually never more than some 30 machine on active duty. In the west the Pe-8 is most well known as the plane that Molotov used during his visit to London and Washington. The Pe-8 was roughly comparable with the B-17 and B-24 and was heavily armed. It had a defensive armament of up to 5 machine guns and two cannons. The normal long range bomb load was 2000kg, but on shorter range sorties up to 4000kg could be carried. The Ash-82 powered machines could also deliver the massive 5 ton bunker buster. That the Pe-8 was a sound design was proven by the fact that the remaining machines stayed in active service until the early 50’s even tough the Tu-4 (B-29 copy) was readily available. Two Pe-8’s where converted to VIP transports designated Pe-8 ON, and another four machines where converted for use in artic conditions.

The kit

The kit comes in a slightly oversize but very sturdy box. The 8 grey sprues are divided over 5 bags with the single clear sprue comes in its own Ziploc bag. The parts are very sharply formed. I could find no flash or sink marks. There are a few ejector pin marks that could be seen after construction, but these are in easy accessible places. The transparent parts are commendably thin and very clear. Surface detail is finely engraved and very convincing. A quick trial run of the major parts revealed an excellent fit. This is due to the clever engineering and parts break down. The model comes with a crew of six highly detailed figures, which will please all those that like to display their models with the wheels up. The 12 page A4-size instruction booklet, in six languages, starts with a short history, followed by a parts location diagram. Construction is explained in 53 easy to follow steps, with detail paint instructions given in each step. Finally a four view drawing shows the complete camouflage scheme and placement of the markings. The sharply printed decal sheet in my kit suffered from a shift between the red and white colours of the stars and bord numbers, more about this later though. The sheet also contains a small amount of stenciling and decals for the instrument panels. The sheet contains markings for just one machine.

Accuracy

The dimensions of the model are absolutely spot on, which is no mean feat for such a large kit. Surface detail is also highly accurate, and interior details compare very well with period photographs. The kit follows the scale drawings from M-Hobby magazine pretty much exactly, which is a good thing as these are considered to be the most accurate. Once finished, the model will capture the imposing stance of the original aircraft very well. 

Construction 

Construction starts with the engine nacelles. These include the rear facing gunner stations, radiators and structural details for the wheel bays (some 70 parts spread over 15 construction steps). Next the wing halves are glued together after which the nacelles and landing gear are added (24 parts, 8 steps). The gear can be fitted in in-flight position as well, in that case there are 6 parts less to install. Now the fuselage gunner stations are dealt with. These are highly detailed with some 40 parts divided over 11 steps. Next is the rest of the interior. You will have to do some cutting here to make openings for some more windows and a door. The locations are all clearly marked with deeply inscribed lines on the inside of the fuselage halves. The interior is also very detailed with some 70 parts and 20 steps. These include the wing spars. After closing up the fuselage the wings and remaining transparencies are added (14 parts 44 steps). The wings simply slot onto the spars and this ensures the correct placement and a strong bond. The bomb bay can be displayed closed or open. For this last option there is a single FAB 2000 bomb. The last 4 construction steps deal with more external details like the props and various antennae, some 15 parts in total.

Painting and Decals

As mentioned before, there are painting details given throughout construction. Paint colours are listed in generic names, Zveda and Model Master numbers. There is only a single markings option. This is for a black/dark green/brown over light blue camouflaged machine. Sources conflict each other as to which machine this actually was. The instructions list it as Pe-8 nr.42107 belonging to 746th APDD (long range aviation regiment) in February 1943. The same machine, red 4 features in an article in Mir Aviatsii, however here it is listed as Pe-8 nr. 42088. Both were produced in 1942 and both were shot down later. 42107 was shot down by Soviet fighters on the 9th of February 1943 whilst flying with 746th. After surviving more than 40 sorties, 42088 was finally brought down by German fighters near Bobriusk on the 28th of June 1944 whilst on strength with the 25th guards (successor of the 746th). For 42088 Mir Aviatsii further mentions that initially it flew without white outlines to the stars, but that these where later added by hand with a wide brush. It received its tactical number 4 early March 1943. The hand painted outlines may be used as an excuse for the off center of the red and white on the decal sheet. By the time it was shot down the paint job was well worn and faded. 

Conclusion

Zvezda has fast developed from a company that used molds of others, to a company that produces its own molds of excellent quality. I had hoped the Pe-8 would be as nice as the 1/48 La-5 released earlier. I am delighted to say that I have not been disappointed. This is an excellent kit that can match itself with the likes of Eduard, Hasegawa and Tamiya. The fit of parts is excellent and details are fine and crisp.  The decals are a bit of a let down with the single option and registration problems. However I hope that the cottage industry will soon rectify this with a new decal set. It would have been nice to see more options for the bomb load too but this can hardly be seen as a fault. I can highly recommend this kit, and I think no self respecting  WW II and/or bomber collection or collection of Soviet aircraft should go without it. Go out and buy one…. You know you want one J.

PS

Looking at the parts breakdown and the large number of unused parts, It seems likely that we will also be getting an Ash-82 engined variant of this kit. 

References

 

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