The Ilyushin Il-2, commonly known as the “Sturmovik,” was a ground attack aircraft used by the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War (World War 2) in great numbers. In fact, it was the most produced aircraft of all back then, with almost 37,000 being made during the course of the war. Simple, sturdy and heavily armored, it played a crucial role on the Eastern Front fighting against the Axis, destroying innumerable vehicles and tanks and greatly blunting the force of Hitler’s attacks on the homeland.

This new volume by MMP Books in their “Spotlight On” series is a wonderful reference for modelers. It begins with a quick overview of the camouflage specifications for aircraft of the Soviet Union, and then follows with page after page of profiles. In fact, the book is almost entirely dedicated to color profiles and plan views.

This slim 42-page hardbound journal features 34 different aircraft in a bewildering range of schemes for both the early single and the later dual-seat versions, including one with a torpedo! All are beautifully rendered and displayed in vivid color. If there isn’t something here you can use on your next build, you’re a tougher audience than I am.

Plainly speaking, this is very much a modeler’s reference, with enough ideas and information to make your next project something special. I certainly intend to use this reference when I finally gird my loins enough to tackle the Trumpeter 1/32nd kit. The only question, of course, is with so many choices, which to choose?

I can gleefully recommend this volume for any modeler interested in WW2 aviation, and I suspect the others in this range would prove to be equally useful. My thanks to MMP Books for releasing this useful text and to IPMS/USA for a chance to add it to my library. Excellent!