Polikarpov I-15 PDRV Navy: Finished Pics Page 3

[PR19_Kit]

Damn, my secret's out.
I am actually the person they make those giant paint pots for...

And the keeper of the giant Scale Reference Cat? 

[zenrat]

Damn, my secret's out.
I am actually the person they make those giant paint pots for...

And the keeper of the giant Scale Reference Cat? 

No.  I'm not a cat person. 

[zenrat]

Paint.  Earlier PDRV Navy build (Gully Gu-16 Galah)for reference.  This one will get different colours on the cowling & rudder as it is from a different squadron.
Polikarpov I-15 WIP 12-04-2020 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[Old Wombat]

 

[zenrat]

Investigation of the box revealed that either i've lost the clear sprue containing the tiny windscreen, or it was never there in the first place (possible - this was a second hand kit).
A rummage through the relevant parts box produced a spitfire canopy (Hasegawa Mk1? - framing is almost non existent) which I have modified to fit.
Next job is to attach rigging to the upper wing before attaching the upper wing to the rest of the aircraft.

[zenrat]

Hmmm, progress pics for this have been scarce.

Oh well.  Bit late now.  There will be no more pics until it's done.
I attached the rigging to the upper wing today and then glued the interplane struts (already on the upper wing) to the lower wing.
It's sitting drying with lakker bands holding it all together and then tomorrow I shall attempt to get some glue into the points where the cabane struts meet the fuselage.
i must say the I-15 is a very simple aircraft to rig.  A mere three wing wires per side and none between the cabane struts.

[zenrat]

I-15 is now fully rigged.  I have started work on the canopy framing and wheels.

[zenrat]

Canopy in place.
Main wheels painted.
Tail wheel being painted.
Hook construction thought about.

[zenrat]

Just the arial to rig and its done.

Pictures tomorrow.

[zenrat]

Polikarpov I-15N PDRV Navy.

Extract from The Batmania Truth, Thursday 2nd May 1935.


All eyes to the sky today in the bustling metropolis of Batmania as the navy's newest aeroplanes carried out a mass flypast of the city to celebrate International Workers Day. 
The flyboys and flygirls of the People's Naval Air Squadrons circled the city's public parks and gardens to show off Soviet Russia's latest airborne marvel to the picnicking citizens celebrating their day below.
The little Polikarpov interceptor fighters are built at Aircraft Factory No.6 in Footscray and are to form the air wings aboard the fleets newest Bushranger class aircraft carriers the PVS Thunderbolt, PVS Moonlite and PVS Harry Power.
Following the overflight at the Shrine of Remembrance Special People's Representative for Footscray, Allan Hopkins, gave the following spirited oration to the assembled throng.
"People of Batmania, Brothers, Sisters, Children, Comrades all, well may you cheer for what you have just seen is the future of Victorian air supremacy over the Southern Oceans and around the coastline of this fair sun kissed land.  With this air power we shall destroy those to the North who dare to oppose us.  We shall force them to capitulate, we shall teach their sons the truth of the Socialist Way and we will bend their daughters (continued page 94).


The aircraft pictured in the newspaper report served aboard the PVS Harry Power and upon retirement was handed over to the People's Aviation Collection.  It currently forms part of the Naval collection where it is regularly displayed alongside other icons of the People's Naval Aviation.
Polikarpov I-15N - 19 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Polikarpov I-15N - 16 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Polikarpov I-15N - 7 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Polikarpov I-15N - 23 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The model.
ICM Polikarpov I-15 Bis (winter version which still contains the wheels as well as skis) with Hasegawa Spitfire Mk 1 canopy and Hasegawa Harrier outrigger as tailwheel.
Blue Paint.
Hook.
No folding wings on this one.  I figure they are short enough.
Polikarpov I-15N - 21 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

What a cracking little device! 

It looks a bit like a Pitts Special on steroids. 

[Dizzyfugu]

That looks very cool.  Almost cute!

[zenrat]

Be carefull though Dizz, they bite.

Thanks folks.

[Old Wombat]

Very nice, Fred!


Last printed line leaves much to the imagination.

[zenrat]

Thanks Womby.

The clipping from The Truth ended there.  The archivist hadn't included page 94 so your imagination is all you have to go on...