Great work, George! I've built Il-2 eons ago in the same markings but of course with yellow rudder and stripes. It's so nice watching your work and research going into the build.

I don't have much to show as I am deep into riveting phase now. The below riveting took me almost 2 hours and that's just top sides.

First round of touch-ups done.
Second round of primer and looking better, still some miner correction to be done.

Looking wonderful, my friend @johnb!

I thought I might finish today, but the last tiny bits are really taking a lot of time. I usually get impatient at the end and start making mistakes, but I am really trying to take my time with these last bits. I painted and glued on the rocket rails, since they could also fire unguided air-to-air rockets. I also glued on the bomb shackles even though this plane would probably not carry bombs. I left several things out of the front and back cockpits until I could unmask things, so I am adding the pilot's gunsight, the strap for the back-seater to sit on (I can't believe they really did this), the gun mount, and the various pitot tubes, gun barrels, and so on.

I am fairly happy with how this one is coming out. I guess the earlier pain in building this kit was worth it in the end. I am trying to decided how much weathering I will do, but I am leaning toward a faded, but fairly clean airplane. The photos of this plane are grainy, but the plane doesn't look really weathered or dirty. I should be able to report tomorrow that everything is done. Cheers.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Yours is progressing very nicely, George @gblair
Just a few steps before completion.
The overall camo does look really nice.

Excellent results, @gblair George!

Anyhow, I went on merrily riveting the fuselage today from nose to tail and after reaching the end of the cockpit area, I noticed all the panel lines and most of the details just disappeared. The plans that I was using, had panel and rivet lines in the aft fuselage as well... So I went researching and lo and behold - Almost all two-seat Il-2s had wooden rear fuselage, tail and rear wings. Only some examples built in 1945 had metallic rears. It is also interesting to read how different aircraft were, depending which factory built them - some had wooden wings, some metallic, etc., even if they were of same designation; it just depended what the factory was specialized in.

I am calling this one done. I got all the final bits on the plane, added the sliding portions of the canopy, and replaced my missing balance on the rudder. I added the antennas twice (don't ask, it was my fault). I like the way this build came out, but I am not in a big rush to build another Accurate Miniature kit anytime soon. It has been a pleasure and a learning experience building with you gentlemen. I want to follow along as everyone else finishes their kit. And remember, when the kit reaches out and bites you, I am laughing with you, not at you. :o) I figure I will post the finished kit on Headlines and call it done. Cheers everyone.

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.