Polikarpov i-16 ,captured Finnish airforce conversion 1/144 zvezda kit

[yak face]

Heres another of the excellent zvezda i-16s im on with . Its going to be in Finnish airforce markings , this aircraft was captured and used by the Finns against the Russians . The decals are coming from the excellent print scale sheet and its going to need a bit of fettling in the shape of some scratchbuilt skis and a rebuilt propeller. Heres the airframe with a bit of paint on it .

[yak face]

Got started on the skis , bit of half round sprue from the spares box and a bit of the unused kit closed u/c option and here we are . The ski undercarriage on this aircraft didnt have any doors fitted so I cant use any of the kit u/c legs , I’ll be using some fibre optic strands for the struts .

[Jim R]

Hi Tony
Great idea for a conversion. Really fiddly work at this super braille scale.
Jim

[scottie3158]

Tony,
I can't even see 144 lol. Great work on the ski's

[Mini Me]

Looks good Tony.....I love watching you work your "Micro Magic" Rick H.

[Mark1]

:nerd::thumb2:

[yak face]

Bit more on this one - the skis have had a 0.6 mm hole drilled in them for the main undercarriage strut . The 3 struts will be made with fibre optic strand from one of those cheapo UFO lamps - see here https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threa...e-3#post-49009
Ive also been sorting the propeller . This aircraft had the bare propeller hub so the kit one with spinner had to be butchered. I cut off the blades and set about making a centre section and spindle , the micro pcb drill bits coming in very useful again. The round section of plastic rod had a tiny 0.7 mm hole drilled through it for the spindle which was micro brass tube, then the prop blades were superguled on . Ive also fitted and painted the windscreen . Next up is a varnish and decals .

[Guest]

WHAT?! Scratch building in 1/144!! Do you have any limitations at all?

[JayCee]

That is Micro Modelling !! Very nice work
John.

[Tim Marlow]

Nice work Tony. Very clean scratchbuilding.

[yak face]

It had a good coat of klear yesterday, followed today by the decals. Ive painted up the prop and it looks good .The other tiny bits that need painting ( guns , exhausts , nav lights ) will be done before it gets a couple of light coats of matt then its just about done

[papa 695]

Fantastic work Tony, looking great.

[Mini Me]

That's the "bomb" Tony. What's the wall thickness on your brass tubing, It appears to be rather thin in the pics. Rick H.

[Tim Marlow]

Lovely job.

[yak face]

That's the "bomb" Tony. What's the wall thickness on your brass tubing, It appears to be rather thin in the pics. Rick H.

Dont know rick, it was an assorted pack by trumpeter , all I know is its about 0.7mm in diameter :thumb2: and very small!