#748 I-16 Escuadrilla de Mosca
Building the beautiful ClearProp 1:72 rendering of the Polikarpov I-16 in Spanish Republican Air Force service in the Escuadrilla de Mosca. No electronics.
Notes
The Polikarpov I-16 was the world’s first low-wing cantilever monoplane fighter with retractable landing gear.
At the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, Republican forces (the good guys) pleaded for fighter aircraft and ultimately 475 I-16 Type 5s and Type 6s served in the Spanish Republican Air Force.
The Clear Prop! Polikarpov I-16 Type 5 No. CP72023 1:72 is a beautiful little kit. Here I’ve modified it for an inflight display on my wall.
Markings
markings are provided for eight painting schemes:
- I-16 type 5. 21st Air Group, 1 aero. (1 Escuadrilla de Mosca). Aircraft of the Hero of the Soviet Union Senior Lieutenant Vladimir Bocharov. Madrid, 11/13/1936
- I-16 type 5. Alown by pilot Sergey Kuznetsov, Carreno airfield. Possibly 1 air squadron (1 Escuadrilla de Mosca), October 1937
- I-16 type 5. The plane of the Soviet pilots defending the port of unloading Cartagena, San Javie, 1936
- I-16 type 5. Torrijos Airfield. This aircraft was shot down during the Battle of Brunete Baitenente Tocci by Fiat CR.32 in July 1937
- I-16 type 5. 21 Air Group, 4 Air Squadron (4 Escuadrilla de Mosca), North of Spain, 1937-1938
- I-16 type 5. 21 Air Group, 4 Air Squadron (4 Escuadrilla de Mosca),1937. Flown by pilots Sergeant Pedro Rueda and Jaime Perez Chulvi
- I-16 type 5. 21 Air Group, 4 Air Squadron (4 Escuadrilla de Mosca), 1937-1938. Flown by pilots Morales and Zarauza
- I-16 type 5. Nationalist trophy, Cuatro Vientos airfield (de Cuatro Vientos.) According to other sources airfield - Seville-Tablada. March 1938
Paint Scheme
Chosen scheme: #7 I-16 type 5. 21 Air Group, 4 Air Squadron (4 Escuadrilla de Mosca), 1937-1938. Flown by pilots Morales and Zarauza
| Feature | Color | Recommended | Paint Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| A upper fuselage | Dark Green | AMIG 0915 | H302 under / H6 over |
| B | Protective Green | AMIG 0931 | |
| C lower fuselage | Light Grey Blue | AMIG 0249 | H417 + “dash of” H25 |
| D | Light Blue | AMIG 0224 + 15% 0050 | |
| E | Light Grey | AMIG 0219 | |
| F interior fittings | Aluminium | AMIG 0194 | 70.997 |
| G engine | Silver | AMIG 0195 | H8 |
| H cowling trim | Polished Steel | AMIG 0191 | H18 |
| I engine cowling | Black | AMIG 0046 | H12 |
| J interior | Medium Grey | AMIG 0212 | H332 |
| K wing/body bands | Red | AMIG 0049 | H13 |
| L | White | AMIG 0050 | |
| M | Blue | AMIG 0224 | |
| N | Burnt Metal | AMIG 0191 | |
| O | Gun Metal | AMIG 0045 | |
| P | Tire Black | AMIG 0033 | |
| R | Green Khaki | AMIG 0058 | |
| S | Sand | AMIG 0122 | |
| T | Clear Red | AMIG 0093 | |
| U | Clear Green | AMIG 0092 | |
| insignia undercoat | flat white | H11 | |
| tail insignia | yellow | H4 | |
| tail insignia | red | H13 | |
| tail insignia | purple? | H13 + H25 + H11 |
Build Log
Fighting fascists in the skies of Spain! 21 Air Group, 4 Escuadrilla de Mosca, 1937-1938.
This is really a beautifully designed @clearpropmodels I-16 Type 5 in 1:72, makes for a perfect weekend project. In-flight conversion was quite easy with just the kit parts slightly sanded for fit.
ClearProp are a Ukrainian manufacturer that covers a range of classic and more obscure subjects. I first became really aware of them when I saw Brett Green’s H72N Hawk build in Models for Ukraine Vol 1 published by @chris.meddings, and since then I’ve been gradually working through their catalogue;-)