Stew Dapple Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 This will be my entry for the group build: Specfically this aircraft: 'White 11' which flew with the 72nd Mixed Regiment, Northern Fleet Aviation, Voyenno-morskoy flot SSSR (VMF) in the summer of 1941, this regiment was tasked with protecting shipping and particularly the supply convoys coming from the Western Allies to the ice-free port of Murmansk, There are a couple of famous photographs of this aircraft with the Russian ace Boris Safanov standing in front of it, but it was in fact the aircraft of Senior Lieutenant Alexander Kovalenko - it's just a hunch, but I feel that Kovalenko's aircraft may have been chosen by the propaganda photographer as a backdrop for Safanov because of the "For Stalin!" slogan on the side which might have seemed politically expedient at a time where there wasn't that much in the way of good news for Uncle Joe. Here's what you get in the box: Only four sprues, including a small clear one. These cover the fuselage parts: ... wings: ... engine and interior parts: ... and the clear parts, including a clear instrument panel: ... and the transfers, which look very nice indeed: Incidentally the slogan for the starboard fuselage side (which I think reads "Death to the fascists" or something of that nature) is presented here horizontally, whereas in the Eduard 1/48 kit the same aircraft is shown with the same slogan on the starboard side but with the first word above the second, rather than to the left of it. I mention this only out of interest, as I haven't been able to find a photo of the starboard side and if Eduard are correct there is little I can do about it, In the year or so since I bought this kit I have also accumulated a bit of aftermarket; Aires resin wheel set: ... the Aerocraft brass undercarriage legs (not so much because of the weight of the model, which I expect to be negligible, but for the fact that they come as one part so require no assembly and are all set at the right angles): The HGW Seatbelt set: ... and somehow, two mask sets, although the Russian set does include masks for the instrument panel dials too: Finally, I sorted out my paints - the Soviet Warplanes website was as usual invaluable; I will be using these colours: AII Green for the topsides, AII Blue for the undersides and A14 Grey for the interior parts. Apparently the underside blue was also a permitted colour for the interior in the case of repaints, and I think that is the cockpit scheme for one of those New Zealand I-16s which looks very fetching but I shall go with the grey anyway. So I think that's about me ready to go, sorry for the long preamble and thanks if you made it this far Cheers, Stew 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Oooh, a Ruskie! Looks like a nicely detailed kit, especially the engine. I'm in Stew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Ah, yes, the Ishak ('Donkey' in Russian)! Always one of my favourite aeroplanes. This would look great next to its brother, the I-153. Two kits I need to get. Best of luck on your build! Regards, Jason 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Well this is something different, great choice stew! Also looks like you have lots of neat goodies along with it. preamble was fine, just the right length! Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Oh, I like these Polikarpov fighters. Going to watch with interest ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted February 17, 2020 Author Share Posted February 17, 2020 On 2/15/2020 at 6:04 AM, CedB said: Looks like a nicely detailed kit, especially the engine. Thanks Ced, it does look a lovely kit and the voice of the beehive says it's a pretty easy build, so here's hoping... On 2/15/2020 at 6:16 AM, Learstang said: Ah, yes, the Ishak ('Donkey' in Russian)! Always one of my favourite aeroplanes. This would look great next to its brother, the I-153. Two kits I need to get. Best of luck on your build! Thanks Jason, I've got the I-153 as well, it looks nice and there is at least one naval option for that one too... On 2/15/2020 at 8:12 AM, rob85 said: Well this is something different, great choice stew! Also looks like you have lots of neat goodies along with it. preamble was fine, just the right length! Thanks Rob, yes there's quite a bit of aftermarket available and of course it doesn't count as stash! On 2/15/2020 at 10:49 AM, Robert Stuart said: Oh, I like these Polikarpov fighters. Going to watch with interest ... Thanks Robert, I think most of us have a soft spot for a cute little underdog I've made a start - construction starts with... the wings! I know, but it's from the Ukraine and maybe they do things differently there The upper and lower wing parts fit pretty well but I pegged them for my own peace of mind: The ailerons are separate and in two parts each, as is the rear underside of the nose, but no fuss: ... and before we know it, we have completed stage one of the instructions: I got a big gluey fingerprint by the outer aileron edge which gave me a chance to try out Mr Surfacer, which with a little sanding covered all my sins, or at least that one. Next up is the cockpit interior... Cheers, Stew 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted February 17, 2020 Share Posted February 17, 2020 Nice start, Stew! Hey, if I don't get some gluey fingerprints on my wings when I'm glueing them together, I'm just not trying, something's just wrong. Regards, Jason 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 On 2/17/2020 at 6:31 AM, Stew Dapple said: we have completed stage one of the instructions Actually, I lied; the instructions call for the addition of the wingtip navigation lights to be fitted at this stage, but one of the perks of being an Experienced ModellerTM is that you believe you know when to follow the instructions and when that way lies madness. This is one of those instances where you probably really do know better unless you particularly enjoy tricky masking jobs further down the line, I shall add them at the end of construction after the main painting and varnishing has been done. I de-sprued and cleaned up the relevant interior parts ready for painting: ... and everything got a coat of A14 Steel Grey: I'm not entirely sure the inside of the lower wing needs painting as it might well be covered by the cockpit floor, but if it was time wasted it was less than a minute and I can spare that. I remembered to do the inside of the pilot's access doors the landing gear bays as well, but my smug was punctured afterward by the realisation that I hadn't done the inside parts of the landing gear itself. Still, I am some way away from that yet and sufficient unto the day etc. Next up will be painting all the interior parts that need to be black, such as the instrument panel, gun cocking handles and what looks like a little tool box but might be an electric battery case... Cheers, Stew 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Looks promising Stew. The I-16's office was fairly open, I feel you may want to spray more of that cockpit - up to the fire wall. (I know, you'll check before you close up). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted February 24, 2020 Author Share Posted February 24, 2020 Before the next batch of painting I pre-assembled as many parts as possible that would need to be black, either as their actual colour, or as a base coat for metallic paints... the engine components: The engine won't be seen unless you choose to leave the side panels off, which I don't intend to do, but honour demands at least a coat of the right colours for the various parts. I applied the masks to the clear instrument panel: ... and made up some paint kebabs for the cockpit components and the IP: They've actually been painted now but I need to take some more pictures before I update again... Cheers, Stew 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 You're off to a good start with this one Stew Looks to be a cracking big wee kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 Looks like you a got this one well and truly started, great stuff! Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted February 25, 2020 Author Share Posted February 25, 2020 Thank you gents As per @Robert Stuart's advice, I extended the interior grey further forward: ... then painted the various black bits: So there will be some detail painting going on there over the next few days. The exhausts themselves, which are many and varied, really do need drilling out; at a pinch you could just paint the outlets black and in all likelihood get away with it too, but... well. They do need to be removed from the sprue and cleaned up for this, and since there are no less than 9 exhaust pipes in seven different sorts, I was a bit concerned how I would keep track of which was which. Fortunately Lidl provided a box of steel nuts for £2.99 which came in a very suitable compartmented box: So I put the part numbers in the required compartments and have begun on that, the first of my fiddly jobs. The other will be these: I think that should be enough to keep me busy for a while... Cheers, Stew 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 (edited) On 2/15/2020 at 4:24 AM, Stew Dapple said: Incidentally the slogan for the starboard fuselage side (which I think reads "Death to the fascists" or something of that nature) is presented here horizontally, whereas in the Eduard 1/48 kit the same aircraft is shown with the same slogan on the starboard side but with the first word above the second, rather than to the left of it. I mention this only out of interest, as I haven't been able to find a photo of the starboard side and if Eduard are correct there is little I can do about it, Hi Stew, Looks like Eduard are probably correct. I have found the same profile in a number of books, but I say only "probably" as I have not seen an actual photo. I have the ICM 1/72 kit of the I-16 Model 24 and one of the 2 decal choices is for the same machine and the decs are identical, so I have learned something from your build already! Cheers Pete Edited February 25, 2020 by PeterB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Nice one Stew, you're doing a fine job, I build the SH kit many years ago but used incorrect references for the paint job and have never been happy with it, so a purchase may be on the cards. Cheers Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted February 26, 2020 Author Share Posted February 26, 2020 16 hours ago, PeterB said: Looks like Eduard are probably correct. Thanks Pete, I thought that might well be the case, simply because it would be more logical to have the words scroll horizontally; if they are sometimes depicted as being piled on top of each other it does suggest that someone, somewhere, had seen it this way... fortunately I have a perfect, albeit slightly pricey, solution: I have ordered the Begemot transfer set which has the words laid out as in the picture you posted (along with markings for a whopping 49 other I-16s, looks like I might have to build more than one!)... 16 hours ago, spitfire said: Nice one Stew Thanks Dennis, I believe the ICM kit is alleged to be an altogether more pleasurable build so it could be worth watching out for one; I got mine for less than £30 in one of Hannant's special offers. I started drilling out the exhaust pipes, here's the 'Before' and 'After' shot: Not perfect, but as thin as I dared make the tube walls, and better than it was I trust Cheers, Stew 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Hi Stew Great to see your modelling mojo has been restored look forward to seeing this one progressing, good luck cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 2 hours ago, Stew Dapple said: Not perfect, but as thin as I dared make the tube walls, and better than it was I trust Almost perfect and much better than it was 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 Very fine work and a big improvement. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 There are several photos of I-16s with (and without) slogans in this link: https://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/i16/i16painting/I16painting.htm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 On 2/26/2020 at 8:14 AM, JOCKNEY said: Great to see your modelling mojo has been restored look forward to seeing this one progressing, good luck Thanks very much Pat. so far so good On 2/26/2020 at 8:16 AM, CedB said: much better than it was On 2/28/2020 at 2:28 PM, rob85 said: a big improvement Thanks Ced, thanks Rob On 2/28/2020 at 4:43 PM, Robert Stuart said: There are several photos of I-16s with (and without) slogans in this link Haha, thanks Peter, I already included that link in my first post The exhaust pipes have been drilled and painted with Alclad Steel followed by a thinned overspray of Tamiya Dark Iron: ... and the interior parts have been dirtied up and shaded a bit with Citadel Nuln Oil wash: The HGW seatbelt set also includes toe straps for the rudder pedals: ... and the kit comes with a transfer for the plate that goes behind the clear part of the instrument panel; this is very finely printed, to the point where the numbers on the dials are completely legible: So today I hope to finish the detail painting and the seatbelts and actually start putting stuff together... Cheers, Stew 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Looking very good Stew, especially that lovely i/p 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Are you sure thats not the real i/p sitting on a scaffolding board rather than a kit one on a coffee stirrer ! I really hope you can still enjoy that wonderful interior when its inside the aircraft. cheers Pat 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Wonderrful work Stew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almac Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 I must have missed this one when you started. Excellent work so far. Cheers Allan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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