This is Eduards profipac 1/48 boxing. Built OOB painted with Vallejo paints. Weathered with Ammo panel liner, oils and a pinch of pigments around the wheels and gear. Soot was airbrushed along with pigments. There are few panel lines on the fuselage due to the actual construction of this plane being of a mix of materials as was common for the era. The engine cowling and forward sections of the wings were of aluminum, while the rear section, tail, and elevators were of a fabric covered wood rib construction. The design was originally for a licensed built Wright Cyclone R-1820. Interestingly the same R-1820 that powered the F2 Buffalo (Export version 239 to Finland).
Outstanding build of the "Rata"Mobious! The I-16 has always been a favorite of mine, short and stocky(kind of describes me)planes like the I-16,Brewster Buffalo, and the F4F Wildcat.
Thank you all for the positive feedback, This build was a fun build. The landing gear was a little sketchy but proved to be more robust than I thought it would be.
Mr. Tom Schry I have a soft spot for the same aircraft. I thought it would be neat to build this as a Winter War aircraft and do a repaint the F2 I have on the shelf to a Finnish scheme as an Adversaries Theme. It just wasn’t in the cards.
Tojo72 Thanks I was attempting to make this one look the part of operating from an improvised forward position in the Ukraine.
Man, I sure do dig the overall look of your I-16. At least to me, your weathering is perfect.. Not to much not too little, just subtle enough!
I had the dual profi pack years ago and I traded it for a Eduards dual P-39/P400 profi pack..
I may need to get one after seeing yours!
You are most welcome! The Eduard offering is a pretty decent build.
Just need to take your time is all! What floater are talking about?
I may have one or two floaters in my stash as well!
Great job on the plane! The design is very similar to the Granville Gee Bee Model R Super Sportster. Were the Russians stealing intellectual property back then as well?
Currently have the Airfix 1/48 Walrus on deck. Love the pusher configuration with the biplane layout. I’ve not built any Airfix offerings so this will be a first for me, and if all goes well the Airfix 1/48 Hurricane may be added to the stash.
Mrb865 it may have been the start of aircraft design rivalry with the west?
Absolutely awesome finish! Very nice - made me put this kit in my wish list. For it’s time it was quite the en-vogue fighter. First fighter with retractable landing gear. Great job.
Thanks for the comments, The I-16 was also originally designed with a closed canopy. But due to poor ventilation and constant fowling by oil from the radial engine it had reverted to an open cockpit by the time the type 10 started production.
Thanks waikong for the comments. It is small even next to the F2 Buffalo, it is both lower and shorter.
Definitely a maneuverable machine. The open cockpit would have been a mixed bag. Not so much fun in winter conditions or rain. But at least one wouldn’t be overcome with exhaust fumes.
