SPA Modeler

My latest project: the 1/72 Trumpeter Harbin H-5. The Harbin H-5 was an unlicensed Chinese copy of the Ilyushin IL-28 Beagle. The most significant difference from the Beagle is the tail turret, which was copied from the Tu-16.
The Trumpeter kit is one of their first and is supposedly a modified copy of the Bilek kit. I've started with the pilots to fill the empty cockpit. I've also jumped ahead in the build sequence to the engines and wings. The fit is mediocre, and I want to avoid having to use a ton of putty by carefully filing and test-fitting.

Should be an interesting watch Borg. I've always liked the Beagle - it's on my to-do list to go with my Albanian Air Force builds.

I think the Albanian actually used the Harbin as well. They had a fall out with the Soviets and turned to China for military equipment.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania ... viet_split

That doesn't surprise me - certainly I know that the fighters they had were the Chinese variants and not the Russian built ones.

Thanks for the link Borg, I'll take a look.

The landing gear was too long and extended too far past the engine nacelles (see photo). Because of this, I shortened them. I also added a metal pin inside for extra strength.
The pilots wouldn't fit in the cockpit as-is, so I ended up using some brute force to reposition their knees at a different angle so they'd finally sit properly.

Good idea shortening the legs - that pilot looks okay now. A bit of brute force now and then never hurts.

I tweaked it a bit more and will make a picture of the final fit. Just a bit more snug then this.

I can't see anyone's pics today.

Medicman71 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 29, 2025 11:30 am I can't see anyone's pics today.

Postimages is having a tantrum again I think Mike.

Well here are some new pictures, I hope they show up for you.

The cockpit is finished. I adjusted the pilots so they sit deeper in their seats. I also used some fishing weights and an old drill bit for ballast. That way, it won't be a tail-sitter.