The Little World

I did not realise how many Polikarpov aircraft I have in the collection until I reviewed it to see if this was new.

It is – This will slot between the monoplane I-1 and the biplane I-15. A totally new ( but probably defunct ) Polish model making firm, too. In any case this stash sale model was lying unloved and unwanted until I swooped.

The single sprue tree is basic, though the panel lines are engraved. The plastic surface is somewhat pre-textured out of the mould, but this should yield to undercoat. Little flash, no sink, and a delightful eastern European light grey-blue that is probably a pretty good match for the underside of Soviet aircraft as it is.

The cockpit is rudimentary, but more detailed than early Airfix. The inter-plane struts are clean and their attachment holes look to be accurate.

Box art and internet research suggest that the colour scheme will be simple. My faith in the decals can be measured on the Richter scale…

How do these things get to Western Australia from Bialystok in the first place?