A model aircraft of the first generation

[Joe C-P]

Our local Socialist worker's just finished this. It predates the 1950 timeframe, but is an important part of Soviet Naval Aviation history.






IB-16:
As the first Soviet aircraft carrier Komsomolets came together, several aircraft types were tested for potential use aboard the ship. One aircraft selected for testing was an I-16. The plane was found rugged enough for carrier use, so only a tailhook needed to be added.

The paint scheme:

Upon being presented with color photos of the new aircraft, a skeptical Comrade Stalin questioned the colorful paint schemes proposed for the airgroup. He demanded that the planes be properly camoflauged. The lead designer started to explain how the colors would make the plane less visible over the open ocean, but Stalin waved him off and indicated a painting on the wall, showing the battleship "Potempkin" at sea. "That is what the ocean looks like. Make the planes like that."

One aircraft was chosen from the squadron and repainted to match the canvas image. Photos of this plane were sent to the Kremlin, satisfying Stalin, while the remainder of the airgroup received other "experimental" paint schemes, knowing the party leader would never see them. This particular plane was sent to an airfield near Moscow for Stalin's inspection, along with carefully chosen photos of the plane in flight, from above and below, that showed the scheme actually worked, if the plane wasn't moving.

This model represents the IB-16 in Uncle Joe's personal scheme – water and waves on top, sky and clouds on the underside. The paint was carefully matched to colors in Stalin's painting of the heroic revolutionary ship.

About the model:

Basically, it's an OOB build of a Russian 1/72 model of the I-16, with a simple tailhook added, wearing a paint scheme only a land-lubber like our great revolutionary hero Stalin would invent.
I might build another someday, perhaps an I-15bis or other 1930s Soviet aircraft, with a proper scheme based on actual Soviet between-the-wars schema, but I thought this would be visually interesting to start.

Comrade Iosef R

[Swamphen]

:dum: Comrade Iosef P. has set a grand example of revaloutionary fervour. Let us all emulate his example!  

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The paint-scheme story sounds a lot like the Chevy (Corvette) Mako Shark concept car back in the late 60s/early 70s. The chief designer wanted the car to *exactly* match a stuffed shark in the corporate lobby. After weeks of frustration, the paint team finally took down the shark and repainted IT.  :ar:   :dum: