Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Completed GBs => Group and Themed Builds => Red Star Soviet GB => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on April 15, 2017, 07:47:26 AM
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(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_000.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_000.jpg.html)
The Polikarpov I-16 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polikarpov_I-16) is famous as the world's first low-wing cantilever monoplane fighter with retractable landing gear and racked up a respectable record right up to the Great Patriotic War (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Patriotic_War_(term)).
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Iconic%20I-16.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Iconic%20I-16.jpg.html)
Far less known is what briefly superseded it, the Polikarpov I-36.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_004.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_004.jpg.html)
By the late 1930's, the Red Air Force was thought utterly unbeatable by the workers and peasants of the Soviet Union. This public esteem was of course officially encouraged.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/A%20Po%20Propaganda.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/A%20Po%20Propaganda.jpg.html)
However, the powers that be knew rapidly developing technology was causing them to lose ground to the Running Dog West. In Spain, newer monoplane fighters were gaining the upper hand over the vaunted I-16s. Something had to be done and soon.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_002.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_002.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_003.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_003.jpg.html)
While the Red Air Force had some promising projects in the pipeline, none were going to enter service for at least another three years, leaving a vital hole in fighter defense.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_001.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_001.jpg.html)
Soviet personnel posted near the town of Ciudad de Malgusto in the Spanish Civil War reported about a new American aircraft, the Halcón Cañón or Cannon Hawk (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=6397.0). This prompted the Soviets to engage in a little industrial espionage at the Curtiss plant.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/1930s%20Red%20Menace.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/1930s%20Red%20Menace.jpg.html)
With most of the critical Curtiss P-36/Hawk-75A plans in hand, the Polikarpov bureau soon produced a prototype and flight testing was hurriedly undertaken at a desolate base outside Omsk.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_005.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_005.jpg.html)
While as close to a rivet-by-rivet copy as Polikarpov could get, the new fighter was a bit different than the Curtiss version. First off, it had more of a squared-off look than the P-36. This was mostly from converting English measurements to metric.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_006.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_006.jpg.html)
However, the most noticeable difference was the new cowling housing the experimental Shvetsov M-73 radial engine which was capped off by a pointy prop spinner.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_008.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_008.jpg.html)
The boost in performance provided by this power plant allowed heavier weapons to be carried. No less than four 6.39 m.m. cal. ShshshIcantSayThat machine guns were located in the nose, synchronized to fire through the propeller arc.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_007.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_007.jpg.html)
In addition, four 18.7 m.m. ShshshsKantSaythat cannon were in the wings, giving the aircraft eight guns overall. Fire-power of this magnitude could not be ignored and the aircraft was ordered into production.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_009.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_009.jpg.html)
Given the none too ironic designation I-36 the new Polikarpov fighter was ordered into production and soon began equipping Red Air Force elite fighter squadrons in 1938.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_010.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_010.jpg.html)
Never given the publicity of the I-16 that came before it, the I-36 was not seen at the Tushino air show lest the Americans find out their front-line fighter had been stolen. It soldiered on mostly in ignominy until being replaced by newer aircraft on the eve of the German invasion.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_011.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_011.jpg.html)
Mainly used on home defense over important cities, the example shown here, White 110 was part of the elite night fighter unit protecting the northern city of Nomogoodograd. This unit's only notable action was intercepting a wayward flight of migrating Arctic Owls (Noctunrus Arcticus Owlus). No I-36s survive today and many so-called experts think the aircraft was just a phantom, perhaps a P-36 not seen in the best light.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_012.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_012.jpg.html)
Brian da Basher
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This all began with a venerable (hahahaha) 1/72 Aoshima Curtiss P-36 I picked up while trying to corner the P-36 market. Mine is an MRC re-boxing. Gotta love a name like Model Rectifier Corp. Isn't that box art great? It sure has that colorful U.S. inter-war style, dosen't it?
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/MRC%20P-36A%20box.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/MRC%20P-36A%20box.jpg.html)
Better enjoy the box art because the kit itself is a doozy. It's got toy-like features such as possibly positionable flaps and ailerons. The rest is thick and clunky, showing its early 1960's roots. It builds up painfully, utterly lacking the wing dihedral Curtiss P-36s are known for. However, this can be used to one's advantage if you leave off the kit engine molded into the cowling and replace those with parts from an I-153.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_xprog_01.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_xprog_01.jpg.html)
That shot also shows off the new wing guns which were cut from spare landing gear struts. Here's how it looked with the new cowling on and an Airfix P-40 prop added and the canopy attached.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_xprog_05.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_xprog_05.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_xprog_04.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_xprog_04.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_xprog_03.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_xprog_03.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_xprog_02.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_xprog_02.jpg.html)
And here's the finished model after paint.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_013.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_013.jpg.html)
The old hairy stick was used loaded up with a lot of Model Masters Flat Black. A little Gunmetal was used on the guns and the engine cylinders you can't see were picked out in Steel.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_upper.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_upper.jpg.html)
The canopy was tinted on the inside with Model Masters Medium Gray and Carrier Deck Brown was used on the exhaust stubs.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_under.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_under.jpg.html)
Decals were from the awesome sheet that came with that I-153 I mentioned.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_014.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_014.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_015.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_015.jpg.html)
The decals must be 40 plus years old and went on good for their age, but a few cracked and they all silvered around the edges. Oddly enough, touching them up with a paint brush may have been the most enjoyable part of this build.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_016.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_016.jpg.html)
While I had this project planned out a few months back, it only took me three days from start to finish. I credit that to the simple mods and an even simpler color scheme.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_017.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_017.jpg.html)
I hope you enjoyed the Polikarpov I-36 and reading a little more lost aircraft history.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_018.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/Polikarpov%20I-36/Po_I-36_018.jpg.html)
Brian da Basher
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On behalf of the recipients of the Order of the Red Boot Award, the 35th Shoe Lace and insoles sub-section of the 164th Footwear Brigade, we thank you Comrade Brian for your contribution to protecting the glorious city of Nomogoodograd.
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Beautiful, and at least as attractive as Polikarpov's other efforts to develop a successor to the I-16.
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Adding a spinner to your I-36/P-36 makes it look so much better. :)
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Nice one
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Far less known is what briefly superseded it, the Polikarpov I-36.
Nice model! but was it built by Polikarpov while designed by Comrade Engineer Kurtis? ;)
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Bet your diligent research uncovered I-36 long ago. Falls right in line with their secretive ways. You were waiting patiently for Russian GB to spring I-36 revelation upon us.
With no OOB kit available, am sure this build/bash is very close to real McCoy. :)
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Comrade Da Baskerski, we of The Committee of State Sanctioned Modelling, Alternative History and Tractor Carburettor Production welcome another of your ingenious entries as yet again the superior product of the spirit of world socialism and are sure to confound and humiliate our enemies wherever they may hide.
Ludmila*, the newly promoted Second Deputy Assistant Secretary to the Office of the Moderator was just admiring your work, and inquires if she may get a check flight in the near future.
(http://pre09.deviantart.net/42b2/th/pre/i/2015/074/c/9/pin_up_by_senryuji-d8lsbpj.jpg)
*Picture of Ludmila included for motivational purposes