Polikarpov I-16 Sprinter - Finished Pics Pg 4

[NARSES2]

Pictures tomorrow.

Please, clock, hurry and make it tomorrow now...

It probably is in Australia 

[zenrat]

No, its still today...

[Tophe]

Most of us can wait, but I will go in travel and I may fail to see them. If I am silent tomorrow, be sure this is not disapprovement of the final model 

[zenrat]

In a world with no war international differences are resolved through sport. 
The pinnacle of sporting events is the Aerolympics where brave airmen and airwomen take to the skies to win for their countries the prestige and honour of victory.

Polikarpov I-16

Soviet Union Team.  VIIth Aerolympiad, Berlin, August 1936.
The No. 22 aircraft pictured was piloted by Marina Raskova.
Polikarpov I-16 Sprinter 004 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Unknown in the West before the '36 games the Soviet team's I-16s walked away with gold in the shorter sprint events (10, 20 & 40 mile individual plus the 4 x 10, 20 & 40 mile relays).  Only in the 80 mile races did they fail to win, and then only due to fuel consumption miscalculations rather than any lack of performance.  Miscalculations which saw designer and sprint team chef de mission Nikolai Polikarpov locked up by Joe Stalin.  Again.
Polikarpov I-16 Sprinter 011 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
The I-16's impressive performance was due to it's large powerful engine and light weight.  The powerplant used was a Shvetsov M-81 14 cylinder two row radial producing over 2000hp running on "special" fuel.  Extreme weight saving measures included the use of thin gauge plywood for non-structural internal fittings such as the seat & instrument panel, not painting any of the aircrafts interior and helium filled tyres.
Polikarpov I-16 Sprinter 028 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Protests were lodged following the end of the Aerolympiad when tests carried out by the United States showed the Russian team's "special" fuel to be a potent mix of nitro-methane and grain alcohol.  Ultimately an international court threw out these protests when a corrupted chain of evidence led to the samples and subsequent tests being deemed inadmissible in court.  The results stood, but from the VIIIth Aerolympiad (1940, Tokyo) only officially sanctioned fuels were allowed and pre and post testing was introduced.
Polikarpov I-16 Sprinter 017 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Polikarpov I-16 Sprinter 016 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
The Model.
ICM 1/72 Polikarpov I-16 tip-24.
Engine and cowling from Airfix 1/72 Bristol Beaufighter (new mould).
Prop and spinner from my Props & Engines box – possibly Matchbox Lysander and Hasegawa Kawanishi H6K respectively).
Painted in Sugar Strawberry acrylic from a rattle can.
Decals from Linden Hill Global Rooks aftermarket set.
This tiny little model went together very nicely despite ICMs usual "exploding diagram" instructions.  Replacing the kit engine was remarkably easy.
I have an I-15 biplane in the stash.  I'm hoping it is as enjoyable a build.
Polikarpov I-16 Sprinter 029 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[Old Wombat]

Very nice little build, Fred!


I have a Type 24(?) in the stash I'm trying to figure out what to do with. Possibly Czech.

[NARSES2]

That's come out really well mate  The spinner makes her look quite "sleek". Something I never thought I'd say about a I-16 

[KiwiZac]

Wow, that looks spectacular! I agree with Chris, this is by far the sleekest Ishak I've ever seen! What a gorgeous machine. That new engine installation is perfect.

[PR19_Kit]

An AWESOME machine Fred, and the colour scheme is terrific too. 

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.

[Tophe]

Belated congratulations, from the other side of the world (where wifi is working fortulately).
Apart of the model, I like this is a peace tool and with a feminine pilot!

[zenrat]

✌🏼

Thanks comrade.

[Doug K]

Very nice

[The Rat]

Now THAT is one way to make the dumpy little thing look much better. And I love the asymmetric marking with that blue stripe, I used a similar technique once and it looks very eye-catching.

[zenrat]

Thanks guys.

[zenrat]

Thanks Brad F.