sparbucks Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 This 1/48 Eduard kit of the Polikarpov I-16 is small ! The model's wingspan is about 7 inches - or smaller than the average span of your hand. The AML resin conversion provides much work to be done on the interior with, of course, the removal of the front top half of the fuselage. After a bit of a fight, everything came together quite well. I love the look of this Russian fighter which did sterling work during the Spanish Civil War where the Luftwaffe managed to get their hands on some aircraft for appraisal, including a couple of two seat trainers, the UTI-4. I saw a standard I-16 performing superbly at Duxford a couple of years ago and, for me, it was the star of the show. I hadn't realised before then that the pilot had to hand crank the undercarriage up and down - 200 plus hand cranks according to the commentator! Imagine doing that in battle while trimming the aircraft at the same time! You will see the u/c operating wires I have added to the undercarriage legs. The Eduard kit is very nice and goes together very well. Far better than the 1/32 Special Hobby version I built a couple of years ago. This trainer DM+HC was 'all over' RLM 63 and the markings were sprayed using the excellent Mal Mayfield's Miracle Mask Bespoke Service! The Eduard kit was the Profi version which had the Photo Etched accessories and included the multi part undercarriage panels - fiddly, but look good once on the aircraft. Apart from losing the rear windshield to the depths of the fuselage and never to be seen again (sigh - a spare was with the resin conversion) the final assembly and weathering using cocktails of various fluids went according to plan. Hope you like it. POLIKARPOV I-16 UTI-4 Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators James H Posted February 28, 2013 Administrators Share Posted February 28, 2013 What a great model! Makes you wonder why the Germans wanted to operate the Rata in any role with what they had at their disposal. Love to see some in-progress images. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave J Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Outstanding! And in a different scheme that you don't see everyday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparbucks Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 Thanks chaps! Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Love it .. absolutely love it. For a monochrome colour scheme you've managed to give it texture and variation. Super. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparbucks Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 Jim mentioned that he would love to see some wip images. Well, unfortunately, me and IT don't get along too well - I lost a lot of the internal fuselage conversion shots! I can hear Jim's sighs of desperation as I type! However, I have found some; not much, but some: As you can see the the fit of the conversion left a tad of desire: Filler, sanding, filler, sanding................................. Coming together: Using Mal Mayfield's Miracle Masks - luvem!: Voila! Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StreetFightingMan Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Great build! I love two-seaters, and this one is pretty unique. I've got the Eduard I-16 over Spain combo, I originally wanted to build it for the "In Foreign Colours" GB, but time didn't permit that to happen. The plan now is to make them in May or June. This inspires me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamme Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Very nice build on this little bird! Cheers, Jamme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparbucks Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 Thank you Heidi, Street fighting Man and Jamme. @Heidi - like the avatar - is that your cat? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallSignOWL Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 its kind of a funny looking plane, isnt it? great job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparbucks Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 Mr Owl The I-16 is a thing of beauty! What is that saying? "Beauty is in the eye of beholder!"..................or was that beer holder? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallSignOWL Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Ms Owl The I-16 is a thing of beauty! What is that saying? "Beauty is in the eye of beholder!"..................or was that beer holder? Peter fixed it for ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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