Yes, about as stubby as you can get. It’s the Polikarpov I-16 (Type 24) in 1:48 scale.
I started with the Academy model, but since it is devoid of interior details, and has several glaring inaccuracies, I went to look for aftermarket parts. That was when I discovered that Eduard makes an I-16 kit! The partially-assembled Academy kit went quickly back into the box. Needless to say, the Eduard kit is significantly better, and comes with photo-etch parts and masks for canopy and wheel hubs. Also included are photo-etch cockpit entry doors, for dispaying doors open. You’ll need to grind away the molded-in closed plastic doors first, as I have done on mine. But I wanted to see as much interior detail as possible, since this would be my first venture with photo-etch parts. I didn’t like the P.E. seatbelts, they seemed a tad one-dimensional, so I scratched my own from index card stock and a scrap of thread. The P.E. instrument panel is terrific, but sits so deep in the fuselage that it’s doubtful it will ever be seen!
I have been tempted by this kit myself after reading a couple of reviews on it in the UK mags MAI and SAMI, keep the in progress comming I shall watch this with baited breath. Also I remember reading that the the engine cowl on some of the first production runs was incorrect and the Eduard will send you the replacement FOC if you have the wrong one.
Great start there, M-Nerd, I’ll be watching this one closely as I have it in my stash, too. THeir beauty is in their ugliness…if that makes sense. I’ve grown fond of the Ratta. Keep the pics coming.
Yep, you wont see much, even with the entrance panels opened up. You may as well finish now, but that is always something to keep in mind when planning. I had one of the old I-16’s from Hobbycraft some time ago and I went all out detailing the front office… none of which could be seen by anyone but me and God, and he wasnt talking.
This time around, I thought about getting one of the Eduards, too - and have ended up with the HC I-16, Mod 10 kit instead. I’ll do some work to the seat and a little here and there and thats about it. Me and the Good Lord will still enjoy the SCW markings… and the money I save can go to somehitng else, like an AM Avenger.
Thanx, Pix. Sorry to get back to your question so late, I was out for a while. Yes, the instructions specified “light gray” for the sidewalls, and “green” for seats and floor, seat, stick, etc. It did not specify WHICH gray or green, however. My internet research turned up interior photos of a few different schemes, which suggests that the earlier production I-16’s had a light gray-blue scheme all over their cockpits (including seat, floor, stick, etc.), whereas the later types had a combination of blue-gray/green as called out in Eduard’s vague instructions.
And thanks to all for the comments, I’m almost ready to post an update, I’ve just been real busy, hang in there-
