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Project Notes

#615 Polikarpov/I-153

Building the Polikarpov I-153 as used by the Guomindang Air Force - ICM 1:72 kit 72076

Build

Notes

The Polikarpov I-153 Chaika (Чайка, Seagull) was an advanced version of the I-15 with retractable undercarriage. Some 93 craft were delivered for use by China’s Guomindang Air Force 中華民國空軍 in the second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) where they proved quite a match for the Nakajima Ki-27 Nate.

The Kit

This is my first ICM kit, and proved a nice quick 1:72 holiday build. I was pretty impressed with the details and fit. The plastic is a little on the soft side, but it doesn’t detract from the kit - just need to be very careful with tools!

[I-153 WWII China Guomindang AF Fighter, ICM No. 72076 1:72](https://icm.com.ua/aviation/i-153-2/)

kit

Scheme

I-153 China Guomindang AF, 1940

Reference Colour Tamiya Paint Used Feature
Priming     Vallejo 74.602 Black  
A Flat Black XF1 70.950 Black tires
B Olive Green XF62 70.893 US Dark Green upper body
C Flat Light Blue XF23 70.907 Pale Grey Blue + 70.839 Ultramarine + 70.953 Flat Yellow, approx 6:2:1 lower body
D Aluminium XF16 Humbrol 56 prop, cockpit cage
E Light Grey XF66 70.990 Light Grey + 70.992 Neutral Grey 2:1  
F Steel XF11 Humbrol 56 engine
G Gunmetal XF10 Humbrol 53 n/a
K Gunship Grey XF54 70.994 Dark Grey n/a

Construction

The cockpit has some nice details, though I discovered later that they are hardly visible in the finished model.

build01

Parts primed in black..

build02

build03a build03b build03c build03d build03e build03f

Credits and References

About LEAP#615 scale modelsCraft
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This page is a web-friendly rendering of my project notes shared in the LEAP GitHub repository.

LEAP is just my personal collection of projects. Two main themes have emerged in recent years, sometimes combined:

  • electronics - usually involving an Arduino or other microprocessor in one way or another. Some are full-blown projects, while many are trivial breadboard experiments, intended to learn and explore something interesting
  • scale modelling - I caught the bug after deciding to build a Harrier during covid to demonstrate an electronic jet engine simulation. Let the fun begin..
To be honest, I haven't quite figured out if these two interests belong in the same GitHub repo or not. But for now - they are all here!

Projects are often inspired by things found wild on the net, or ideas from the many great electronics and scale modelling podcasts and YouTube channels. Feel free to borrow liberally, and if you spot any issues do let me know (or send a PR!). See the individual projects for credits where due.