Harbin H-5 (copy IL-28) TRUMPETER model in 1/72 scale

Besides the made 1/72 IL-28 kit of Italeri, also Trumpeter of China released a Harbin H-5 kit. 

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The kit #01603 was one of Trumpeter first ones and has markings for a China PLAAF aircraft in a white finish and about 60 fine parts. Panel lines are engraved. 

The kit for a Harbin H-5 looks good in shape though the main gear seem a bit too large. The fit is quite good. 

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Putty followed by sanding is needed but can be done such at rear tail crew hatch. 

The large AM-23 tail canon typical of the Chinese version. 

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The interior got a russian green colour using AKAN 73005 emerald green acrylic.

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Add lots of nose weight to prevent tail sitting. The glass work gaps can be closed with white glue. 

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The main gear legs are a bit too long, so shortened by about 3 mm. The wheel hubs look a bit too large but I used the kit wheels with their hubs painted Revell Aqua 364 green.

After assembly the model got a base grey coat to check for any flaws after the windows were masked with tape.

It was decided to make a bare metal Harbin H-5 as supplied to Albania. Albania was the European country supported by China. I obtained the Albanian markings from KANGA set 72-016 for a MiG-19. Notches were cut in with a scissor at the roundels to prevent "silvering". The Red numbers 3608 on the single aircraft were in the kit. 

The ALCLAD II system was used for the bare metal: apply with the airbrush first a gloss black under coat, followed by a few light ALCLAD coats of Airframe Silver ALC-119. Some panels were masked with and teared of before added the final ALCLAD coat, this gives different tinted panels. 

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The smaller model parts were set in place. Some hydraulics lines were added inside the bays and on the gear legs.
Next the few decals with markings were applied and below each decal a few drops of Future/Pledge varnish were added first to prevent "silvering" that will spoil how the decal may look when dried. 

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A gloss Johnson Future/Pledge varnish coat was airbrushed to get an even sheen. A wire antenna was added made from fishing line and a wing pitot made from a needle. Anti-collision lights were painted. That completed the Harbin H-5

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Albania was ruled from 1945 to 1991 by the Communist Marxist dictator Hoxha. At that time the Albanian Aviation Regiment 4020 first operated one Il-28 acquired in 1957 attached to 2 Skuadrilja (Squadron). After a political break, Albania was supported by China in the 1950s as opposed to the West and Soviet Union. Chinese aircraft like the Shenyang J-6 fighters (Chinese copy of the MiG-19) and a single Chinese Harbin H-5 aircraft was supplied in 1971 as well as other aircraft types like Chengdu J-7A fighters (Chinese copy of the Soviet-built MiG-21) later on. The single Harbin H-5 was operated until probably 1992. From 1991 Albania got a new more democratic system and now is even a NATO member. 

Harbin H-5   RED " 3608"   ALBANIA 

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A special model is now in the 1/72 collection. 
 

 
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