The
Polikarpov I-1 (later Il-400B) was the first Soviet-designed fighter. It
first flew in 1923, and a further 12 were built between 1926 & ’27. I like
planes from the 20’s and 30’s and this one had the extra appeal of
corrugated wings.
This
was the first ICM kit I had built. Initially I thought that the kit was
bit over-engineered with 10 pieces to build the wings (actually 11 if I count
the spar!), plus a further seven parts to make the fuselage (and that’s
excluding the interior details).
Despite
this, everything fell together very well indeed and I had it built in two days.
I think the only extra detailing I added was the ground maneuvering
handles on the rear fuselage, wingtip bump-guards and pitot, all of which the
instructions directed needed to be scratch-built.
Paint
finish was mainly Humbrol Metalcote Aluminum and a bit of Testors Metalizer. The
two kit decals went on just fine. All in all, this was a very enjoyable shake
and bake kit. I wish I had the same confidence about the other ICM kits I
have to build (Tu-2, TB3, an Su-2), but they look like the “over-engineering
really will pose some problems.
Mark
Click on
images below to see larger images
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