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Polikarpov I-16 Type 10
 1/32 Scale

 

Azur
 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: #A046
Scale: 1/32
Contents and Media: 51 parts in grey styrene; 1 part in clear injection moulded styrene; 13 parts in cream-coloured resin; 1 photo-etched fret; markings for three aircraft.
Price: USD$35.96 from Squadron.com
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Important subject; high-quality plastic; crisply engraved surface features; subtle fabric texture; good size; high quality injection moulded canopy; simple parts breakdown and good engineering; encouraging fit.
Disadvantages: No locating pins; some minor scribing required; simplified cockpit floor.
Recommendation: Recommended

 

Reviewed by Brett Green


 Azur's 1/32 scale Polikarpov I-16 Type 10 is available online from Squadron.com

 

FirstLook

 

The Polikarpov I-16 was the most important Soviet fighter of the Spanish Civil War and the earliest days of the Great Patriotic War. Azur continues the trend that it started with its Dewoitine D.520, and has now released a 1/32 scale Super Mosca, which has been unrepresented in this large scale until now.

Azur's 1/32 scale Polikarpov I-16 Type 10 comprises 51 parts in grey styrene, 1 part in clear injection moulded styrene, 13 parts in cream-coloured resin, a photo-etched fret and decals for three aircraft.

The plastic is smooth and free from any moulding imperfections. The surface features crisp and consistently recessed panel lines with convincingly subtle fabric texture on control surfaces.

The big ejector pins that often plague the inner surfaces of many limited-run kits are rare, and none will interfere with fit or be visible when the kit is assembled.

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The windscreen is supplied as a single clear part is supplied in high-quality, thin injection-moulded plastic.

Resin parts are provided for the separate exhaust stubs and some smaller (indeed, tiny) details for the cockpit.

 

 

A photo-etched fret with a full harness and the gunsight ring and bead is also supplied.

 

 

Kit options include alternate spinners and a positionable rudder. The cooling vents in the front of the engine cowling have been moulded closed, which means that Azur did not need to supply an engine.

Markings are supplied for three machines from the Spanish Civil War era. There are two Republican machines, and one Nationalist scheme. The decals are in perfect register and the colour looks good.

 

 

The cockpit on the real aircraft did not have a floor as such, but Azur has simplified this area by supplying a full floor in plastic. The only other issue is that the prominent wing root fairing panel on each fuselage side is missing. It will be a simple matter to scribe these lines using the box art as a guide.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Azur's new 1/32 scale Polikarpov I-16 is a nice kit that that is reasonably detailed straight from the box and should be simple to build. If Azur follows the same approach as with last year's D.520, we will probably see a "High Tech" version with more resin and photo etched parts in the near future. We are also almost certain to see after-market detail sets and conversions. Even at this early stage, Data Designs has announced a set of Soviet decals for the kit.

At USD$36.00, the kit is priced about the same as Hasegawa's new 1/32 scale Bf 109 and Fw 190 family, making it great value for money too.

Recommended.

Thanks to Squadron.com for the review sample.

Review and Images Copyright © 2004 by Brett Green
Page Created 29 September, 2004
Last updated 29 September, 2004

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