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| When
the I-16 flew for the first time in December 1933,
it was far ahead of any other fighter design in the world. It featured
retractable landing gear, an enclosed armored cockpit, a cantilever
wing and variable pitch propeller. |
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| The aircraft
was highly maneuverable, but also tricky to fly - with the engine near
the center of gravity and the pilot well behind, the pilot had to maintain
strict control of the aircraft at all times. |
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The I-16 is
known by a variety of names. The Republicans called it 'Mashka' (small
fly) and the Nationalist's 'Rata' (rat), the Japanese called it 'Abu'
(gadfly), and the Germans called it 'Dientsjager' (duty fighter).
In Russia it has been known as 'Yastrebok' (hawk) or more commonly
as 'Ishak' (little donkey), reflecting its hardworking role. |
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| Although the
I-16 was obsolete when the Germans invaded Russia in June 1941, it was
still Russia's most numerous fighter. One of it's most startling uses
came in ramming attacks. Pilots were taught to hit the tail surfaces of German bombers, then bail
out. |
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| The parking spot for my I-16
is a "WWII USAAC Service Area" made by Verlinden Productions.
It is finely detailed resin. The general purpose vehicle in the background is my GAZ-67 . |
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| This kit was
a fast and easy build with no problems at all in the construction process
(other than the decal color problem). |
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| Here's my I-16 sitting on
the workbench just prior to final weathering, and the addition of the
gunsight and cockpit glass. |
Nikolai
Polikarpov succeeded Igor Sikorsky in overseeing production of the
Ilya Muromets bomber at the Russo-Baltic Railcar Factory. Polikarpov had
designed several highly successful craft including the omnipresent PO-2
biplane.
In 1927 Polikarpov and his design team were sent to
prison by dictator Joseph Stalin and ordered to create a superior Russian-built
fighter under the unrelenting eye of the state.
The I-16 is the product of their efforts. |
Kit: Hasegawa #51327 (AP27:1200) |
Scale: 1/72 |
Cost: Normal price for this kit is around $10. (US)
A fair value. |
Decals: Stock. I used the alternate markings provided.
Warning: Hasegawa goofed on the decals. All of the white markings are
printed in Silver ink. This ruins all the neat patriotic slogans on
the sheet. The decals were also incorrect on my Hasegawa I-16 type 17 kit.
(same problem) |
| After Market Parts: None. |
| Paint: I used Testors Model Master Enamels "Russian Topside Green
(F)" and "Russian Underside Blue (F)" almost straight out
of the bottle. I'm very pleased with the way they look. |
Review: The kit is molded in light gray. There are 37 parts including
the thin gauge wire provided for wheel retracting cable. All parts are
flash free with super fine recessed panel lines. Windscreen is crystal clear.
Fit is typical Hasegawa precision, although a dab of Tamiya
putty was used where the fuselage and upper wing surfaces join.
Cockpit detail is reasonably nice for such a small space.
The control stick and some sidewall details are good representations.
The instrument panel is only represented by a decal, however it is nearly
impossible to view in the completed kit anyway. Engine detail is also
fairly well represented.
Options include open or closed vents for the engine cowling,
and a gun camera (which I included).
With the exception of the off color decals, this kit is
a builders dream... Fast, Easy and Nice Looking! |
