Hello ARC'ers!!
Something a bit
different for you now. Zvezda's 1:72 rendition of Tupolev's little Soviet
fighter. The model actually depicts the prototype known at the the time as
the ANT-5 (production aircraft were known as I-4's). The Tupolev ANT-5 was
a Soviet sesquiplane single-seat fighter. It was designed in 1927 by Pavel
Sukhoi, his first aircraft design, and the first Soviet all-metal fighter. After
the first prototype, the I-4 was redesigned with a new engine cowling to
decrease drag, added rocket launchers on the upper wing, and a larger tailfin.
The lower wing was nothing more than an attachment for the wing struts; it was
(almost) removed in the second series I-4Z (I-4bis). The I-4 remained in front
line Soviet service from 1928 too 1933 with a total of 369 being built.
Click on
images below to see larger images
This is a smashing little
kit from Zvezda, the best bit being the option to build the three
different versions. Prototype and the the two production variants I-4 and
the I-4Z with the stub lower wing (which makes it virtually a parasol
monoplane!). With everything going together well apart from the tail
fin which did not fit very well at all, the kit was a little gem to
construct. I have actually bought three kits so I can make all three
variants so watch this space!!
The model was then
brush painted with Humbrol enamels with the only addition being the bracing on
the undercarriage. Interestingly the prototype was devoid of all markings, so
there wasn't even any decals to apply (how lazy is that!!!)
Oliver Weston
Click on
images below to see larger images
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