ICM I-153 WWII China Guomindang AF Fighter - 1:72

[Paul A H]

I-153 WWII China Guomindang AF Fighter

1:72 ICM

 

 

The Polikarpov I-153 Chaika (Seagull), was the ultimate incarnation of the Soviet biplane fighter to find its way into service with the VVS (and other airforces). The aircraft was of mixed wood and metal construction, with a gull wing, manually retractable undercarriage and armed with four shKAS machine guns. It entered service in 1939, and was first blooded in the border skirmishes that took place between Soviet and Japanese forces that year. The combination of biplane maneuverability and modern fighter performance made the I-153 a competitive design, albeit hampered by an unreliable supercharger design and the lack of a firewall between the fuel tank and the cockpit. The type soldiered on into the 1940s, mainly due to the lack of modern alternatives in sufficient numbers. 

 

Inside ICM's typically robust box is a large sprue of grey plastic which holds all of the main parts of the diminutive fighter, as well as a much smaller sprue which holds the new parts for the engine and cowling used for this version. A tiny clear sprue, instructions and decals complete the package. Moulding is clean and crisp, with plenty of fine detail. There are 85 parts in total, although one or two (wheels) aren't used in this boxing.

 

 

 

Construction on the cockpit begins with the internal framework, onto which the instrument panel, four-part seat, control column, rudder pedals and floor all fit. The oveall impression should be reasonably good for the scale, which is just as well as the cockpit is not enclosed by glazing.  The whole sub-assembly fits onto the single span of the lower wing, which in turn fits into the two halves of the fuselage. The engine and propellor are comprised six parts, with an optional spinner hub. As with the lower wing, the upper wing is a nicely-moulded solid piece of plastic, onto which the two sturdy struts fit. Alignment shouldn't be a problem, as the gull wing section fits directly onto the front upper fuselage. The horizontal stabilisers are solid parts. 

 

 

 

The undercarriage legs and skis are accurately represented, with the same excellent level of detail as the rest of the kit. Each assembly is made up from five parts including the landing gear doors. The tail wheel is a single part on its own.  A surprisingly good selection of ordnance is included, with a choice of four small bombs or four larger bombs. The supplied rockets are not used with this version of the kit. The rigging is fairly simple and should therefore be within the capabilities of the biplane averse. 

 

 

Decal options are provided for four different aircraft of the Chinese Kuomintang Air Force which are dated to between 1940 and 1971. The schemes are all very similar, with two displaying white codes on the fuselage sides and one without the blue and white markings on the rudder. The decals look nicely printed.

 

Conclusion

 

ICM's I-153 is a well-regarded kit and this Chinese version is a welcome addition to the range. Detail is good and construction is not overly complex. Overall, it looks as though this should be an enjoyable and rewarding build.

 

Review sample courtesy of