I-16

History: Designed in 1932 when Nikolai Polikarpov was still working as a deputy in the Sukhoi Design Bureau, the I-16 was the worlds first cantilever low-wing monoplane fighter to enter service with both retractable landing gear and an enclosed cockpit. It should be noted that the enclosed cockpit soon reverted to an open cockpit, and the retractable landing gear system was manual, with no less than 45 cranks required to raise or lower the gear.

It first flew in 1933, which was two years ahead of the Me109 and the Hawker Hurricane. It was designed to be easy to build and as small and light as possible, while still meeting the specified requirements. Because of its short fuselage it suffered from unstable handling characteristics and was tricky to fly, however the tradeoff was considered acceptable and over seven thousand units were produced.

Although 50 very early models were produced in 1934, service production really started in 1935 with the Type 4 model. Production continued for the next 5 years with 14 different variants, but with really only 7 major models. The major model types were the Type 4, 5, 10, 18, 24, 28, and 29. There were also four 2-seat trainer models. Most of these version changes consisted of mainly engine and armament upgrades. This kit represents a Type 28, which featured the new Shvetsov M-63 engine with 1100 hp, and 20 mm ShVAK cannons in the wings. It was produced in early 1940, with 277 units manufactured.

The Kit: This is the ICM Type 28 from 2000. It is undoubtedly the most detailed 1/72 scale I-16 available to date, and is one of the few small-scale aircraft kits with a fairly realistic engine compartment complete with mounting structure. For this reason I chose to display the compartment open.

It is also unusual in that the fuselage halves are assembled and mated with the wing bottom center section, and then the outer wing portions are attached to this assembly. This actually follows the real aircraft construction more closely that most other kits.

Basically the only problem encountered during construction was that the engine orientation in the instructions was vague, and the engine didn't seem to fit very well in the mount. Other than that, the instructions identify the wrong section of the landing gear as the compressible oleo section. The instructions show it as low, near the ground, and in reality, it is the upper section, close to the wing.

Some modifications and additions were made to the kit. In the cockpit, more fuselage stringers were added to the cockpit walls, along with most of the Eduard photo-etched detail parts. The kit seat and pedals were used but the control panel, stick and sidewall details were replaced. On the engine, the spark plug wires were added and the kit exhaust pipes were replaced with Moskit items.

Finishing: The kit was painted with Humbrol paints, and an acrylic wash was applied followed by dry brushing with the base color mixed with increasing amounts of white artist oils. The fuselage decals came from the kit, and proved troublesome, so the wing stars were replaced with spare items, which worked better.

Overall this kit was a joy to build, mainly because of its high detail, good fit and because its assembly closely followed a real aircraft. It is highly recommended. The tool cart is a railroad item from Sierra West. This included white metal wheels and a resin box with tools. The entire under carriage and yoke was scratch built. The "asphalt" is a Hudson & Allen product.

References:

  Polikarpov's I-16 Fighter, Yefim Gordon and Keith Dexter,
      Red Star Series Volume 3, Midland Publishing, 2001

  Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War, Volume One,
      Yefim Gordon and Dmitri Khazanov, Midland Publishing, 1998

  Polikarpov Fighters in Action Part 2, Hans-Heiri Stapfer, Number 162,
      Squadron Signal Publications, 1996