Author Topic: Brian da Basher's Bolshie Build #4 - The Polikarpov I-40ski  (Read 3192 times)

Offline Brian da Basher

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Brian da Basher's Bolshie Build #4 - The Polikarpov I-40ski
« on: April 30, 2017, 08:41:56 AM »


Despite potent propaganda



the Winter War with Finland proved the Red Air Force was deficient in many areas, especially modern, ski-equipped fighter planes suited for combat under conditions of severe cold.



Hot on the heels of the successful Polikarpov I-36 monoplane, a bit more industrial espionage was employed to obtain the blueprints of an even better aircraft. Thus the plans for the famous Curtiss P-40 ended out in Soviet hands.



It was determined this aircraft would be used as the basis for a new generation of ski-equipped fighters.



A team of engineers of some sort were tasked with developing the new winter fighter. Retractable landing gear was demanded to maintain aerodynamics.



While mostly resembling a P-40, the shamelessly-designated I-40ski was different in a few respects, most noticeably the landing gear. Another difference was the two-bladed propeller which was due to the fact that while Soviet agents managed to steal most of the P-40 plans, those for the prop were missing.



While work began before the end of the Winter War, the prototype aircraft wasn't rolled out until 15 March, 1940. It was given the spurious Bort #91 in hopes of deceiving any onlookers that the Red Air Force had over ninety of the things.



While the skis didn't fully retract, this was seen as a feature since it would enable a pilot to land the aircraft almost completely intact should the skis fail to deploy.



Flight tests were promising, but unfortunately the spring thaw came early and by the end of March, testing was put on hold since the skis didn't work well in mud.



There were plans to further develop the landing gear so the skis could be swapped out with wheels, but petty political in-fighting meant the I-40ski program was never allotted tires so this never got off the ground.



By the time the next winter came around, the Red Air Force no longer saw the need for a specialized, ski-equipped fighter as the Finns had been defeated. Not long afterwards, the Soviets were able to obtain all the legitimate P-40s they wanted through Lend-Lease. Thus the I-40ski met an ignominious end and the only example was scrapped.



Today this ground-breaking aircraft has been largely forgotten and many believe it never really was since tangible evidence of it is scarce. No kit of the I-40ski exists, but a one-off conversion set was briefly available under the table at the recent IPMS Seattle Spring Show with the caveat that its accuracy could not be verified.



Brian da Basher
« Last Edit: April 30, 2017, 09:18:18 AM by Brian da Basher »

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Holding Pattern
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Brian da Basher's Bolshie Build #4 - The Polikarpov I-40ski
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2017, 09:13:28 AM »
This all started with the 1/72 Airfix new tool Curtiss Hawk 81 P-40B/C:



Isn't that box art great? You can almost feel the concussion from the explosions! I'm glad to see Airfix hasn't lost their edge here. An added bonus is that this is perhaps the best and easiest-to-build early P-40 in 1/72 scale. Of course, mine would end out just a little different.



There's no in-progress shots because the only modifications were using the prop from a 1/48 Curtiss racer biplane and adding the skis which came from the venerable 1/77 Monogram Ford Tri-motor. Here's a couple of shots that highlight the unusual landing gear.





I tacked bits of card over the wheel wells to make them fit the skis better. I figured if the idea was to eventually be able to swap out the skis for wheels, these panels would be temporary and easily removed in the field (however muddy it may have been).



The model was painted with the old hairy stick in acrylics, Model Masters Semi-Gloss White Primer mostly.



The canopy was tinted on the inside with Flat Black. Polly Scale Weyerhauser Green was used in the wheel wells you can barely see. The guns were finished in Gun Metal and the exhausts in Jet Exhaust.





The prop blades were painted with Model Masters Steel and Aluminum was used on the bottom of the skis and on that cute little tail ski.



Decals were a mix from spares, but the erroneous Bort numbers are from the classic 1/72 Monogram P-36.



I'd originally had another set of matching red stars picked out for the rudder, but they shattered so I ended out painting it red. No good socialist could argue with that choice.



I had a blast building this model and even though it stretched out over 10 days, actual bench time was only four evenings since I was away on vacation the rest of the time.



I hope you enjoyed the Polikarpov I-40ski and reading a little more aircraft history that was lost in the snow behind the iron curtain.



Brian da Basher


« Last Edit: April 30, 2017, 09:27:16 AM by Brian da Basher »

Offline Tophe

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Re: Brian da Basher's Bolshie Build #4 - The Polikarpov I-40ski
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2017, 01:26:34 AM »
Wonderful! These are not spats but even better! :-*

Offline finsrin

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Re: Brian da Basher's Bolshie Build #4 - The Polikarpov I-40ski
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2017, 08:00:56 PM »
Held lot of potential as successful winter time fighter.  Saw vintage not so clear B&W photo of I-40ski at an aircraft guys drinking party.  Not that I can remember party very well.  Seeing this splendid model brought back what remains of that memory.  Never would have recalled it without seeing your model.  Ya did deep research.  :)

Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: Brian da Basher's Bolshie Build #4 - The Polikarpov I-40ski
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2017, 04:18:34 AM »
P-40s with Red Stars look REALLY good  :-* Great model and a lot of fun too
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Offline Frank3k

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Re: Brian da Basher's Bolshie Build #4 - The Polikarpov I-40ski
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2017, 05:22:26 AM »
Looks good Brian! For a sec I thought you'd made a model of the LaGG-3 Does the prop have enough ground clearance?

Offline LemonJello

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Re: Brian da Basher's Bolshie Build #4 - The Polikarpov I-40ski
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2017, 07:56:22 PM »
Comrade Da Basherski! Once more, we of The Committee of State Sanctioned Modelling, Alternative History and Tractor Carburettor Production are in awe of the genius and dedication of your design bureau.  This design is sure to provide protection to our citizens in the glorious open spaces of our great nation!

I see that your latest contribution has drawn the curiosity of the Subcommittee for Decal Solution Quality Control and Tire Pressure Regulating of The Committee of State Sanctioned Modelling, Alternative History and Tractor Carburettor Production:



Вперед в будущее!

Offline Camthalion

  • The man has done a pink tank...need we say more?!
Re: Brian da Basher's Bolshie Build #4 - The Polikarpov I-40ski
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2017, 12:38:20 PM »
very cool

Offline pigflyer

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Re: Brian da Basher's Bolshie Build #4 - The Polikarpov I-40ski
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2017, 12:57:57 AM »
Another winner comrade, you just keep knocking 'em out there, brilliant.  (we ought to ban him so the rest of us have a chance, but
don't tell 'im I said that comrades, or i will die in the gloss varnish mines of the Union.  :-X    )
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If it's great, I did it. If it's naff, I found it.