1/72 I.A.R. 88

[Brian da Basher]

Faced with the failure of the I.A.R. 80 made from components of the PZL 11, the Rumanian Air Force was in a real bind. A powerful, heavily armed fighter was desperately needed and with sabotage undermining the imports of German aircraft on a grand scale, a solution had to be found quickly. Fortunately, after wracking their brains, the small but talented team at I.A.R. was able to combine the airframe of previously imported He-112 fighters with an upgraded engine developed from that of the Italian CR-42 biplane and the I.A.R. 88 fighter was born. Armed with two rapid-firing 20 mm cannon in the wings, a 37mm cannon firing through the propellor hub and two 7.9 mm machine guns synchronized to fire through the propellor disc, Rumania finally had the weapon it needed to counter devastating bombing attacks on its homeland by the Soviets and later the Americans. The I.A.R. 88 was indeed a potent weapon, and it proved itself time and time again and was even able to wrest air superiority from the Focke-Wulfs and Messerschmitts of the Luftwaffe once the Rumanians turned on their former Axis ally. Little known is the fact that a captured I.A.R. 88 led the Soviets to develop their much vaunted La-9 fighter. The final I.A.R. 88s were withdrawn from training duties in the early 1960s, but a few can still be seen today in air shows all over eastern europe.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The He-112 part of this build is the old Heller kit. When I recieved my kits from Phil, I noticed that the cowling from the CR-42 was almost a natural fit to the He-112. I have a thing for turning radial-engined aircraft into inlines and vice-versa, so I just couldn't resist. The decals came with the kit (except for the code numbers I scrounged from spares) and the rudder stripes are hand-painted. The exhaust stubs are made from silver-colored sprue and fill the gap around the end of the cowling. I used a spare wheel from another kit as the engine so I could save the twin-row CR-42 radial for another project. The guns are all scratched from parts of the landing gear and spares, and the entire model was brush painted with acrylics. I used Tamyia Sky, Tamyia Sea Gray, and Tamiya Dark Green for the camo.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

I had a lot of fun with this little project which took me about a week to complete. I hope you enjoy the pics as much as I enjoyed putting together this little Rumanian what-if.

Brian da Basher

[Hobbes]

Cool idea, and I like the camo job.  

[NARSES2]

That's a nice idea nd a really good build Brian

Chris

[cthulhu77]

Nice camo, great backstory!

[K5054NZ]

Veeeeery niiiiiiiiice Bri! I was wondering when we'd see another of your magnificent builds. Brilliant!  

[lancer]

Veeeeeeeeeeeeery nice. Looks gorgeous.

[matrixone]

Brian,

Now THATS something you don't see every day.

Great job!


Matrixone

[Brian da Basher]

Thanks for the comments, gents! I find your words very encouraging. This one joins the ceiling fleet in the kitchen tonight. Next up is something for the Airfix GB!

Brian da Basher

P.S. She's now up and flying top cover over the coffee maker...protecting it from sneak attack.

[The Rat]

Lovely job Brian! Switching engines is something we've probably all wanted to do at one time or another, you've given us some great inspiration.

When I saw that first pic I thought you had used a Spitfire wing, but it was just the angle, it had hidden that little kink (and believe me, I know kink!   ).

[Sisko]

Bit late to this thread.

What a cool Idea and nicely executed. Sometimes all it takes is a minor modification to change the entire look of an aircraft.

[Leigh]

Late again
Brian that is really cool looking, you make the most interesting subjects I love 'em.

P.S. I'm coming to you for advice on how to build my 1/48 Gladiator and 1/32 Peashooter which arrived yesterday and I'm just dying to build.

Keep em coming  

[Brian da Basher]

<snip>

P.S. I'm coming to you for advice on how to build my 1/48 Gladiator and 1/32 Peashooter which arrived yesterday and I'm just dying to build.

<snip>

Always glad to help, Leigh! My first suggestion would be to swap wings between the Gladiator and the P-26...oh wait, they're in different scales. Duh.  :dum:

I have a thing for Gladiators, but for some reason I never built one, I just whif Gladiator-like subjects (enclosed-cockpit, fixed undercarriage biplanes). One idea I have on ice is taking the engine from that D-520 and grafting it onto the CR-42 and adding a Squadron vac canopy to make an Italian inline Gladiator. I know, I need professional help.

Thanks for the comments all. I only wish I had a better digicam and could post better pics. You're all welcome to drop by my cottage and check out the ceiling fleet in person.

Brian da Basher

P.S. One serious suggestion for the P-26 would be to paint it in 1930's style war games camo. You never see one done like that and it's plausible enough to start a riot between a roomful of JMNs.