Polikarpov I-16 Type 17
ProfiPACK

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Mick Evans

Eduard's 1/48 I-16 Type 17 ProfiPACK is available online from Squadron.com

Eduard continues with its 1/48 scale Profipack kits which are their standard kits augmented with etched metal parts, canopy masks or metal nose weights. 

Eduard produced the Polikarpov I-16 in various forms a few years ago and the Type 10 Profipack kit was reviewed by Brett Green in 2006.  Eduard first released the Type 17 in its Royal Class Edition which allowed the modeller to make 3 different variants and they have now followed this up with an individual Profipack kit of the Type 17 including coloured etched metal and canopy masks.

This new kit contains most of the standard sprues containing approximately 75 parts most of which are included in the other Eduard I-16 kits and with these being covered in Brett’s earlier review.

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Thumbnail panels:

The new addition to this kit is the very nice coloured etched metal set containing approximately 30 etched metal parts for the Type 17 and a new decal sheet for five marking options.

The etched metal set has a very nice coloured instrument panel made of two wafers.  The main panel is made up of two wafers with the rear wafer containing very detailed instrument dial details in the appropriate colours.  Other coloured etched parts include the seat harness and belts.

Having built the earlier Eduard Polikarpov I-16 Type 10 standard kit in 2006 I can advise that construction is relatively easy and the fit is excellent.  The basic cockpit contains a high level of detail which is difficult to see through the narrow cockpit opening, but in which the additional colour etched detail should look superb.

The Type 17 basically has heavier guns and more streamlined exhausts compared to the earlier versions.  Some were also fitted with retractable skis to fit into the lower wing but Eduard has not provided these in tis version.

There are many parts in this kit that are not used as they are destined for other variants.

The five colour options provided for this kit are as follows:

• Polikarpov I-16 Type 17of the 22nd IAP serial number 51 flown by 2nd Lt Katalov based in Nomonham Mongolia in the summer of 1939.  The aircraft is finished in Dark Green upper surfaces and Light Grey under surfaces.  The aircraft has a Light grey fuselage band.

• Polikarpov I-16 Type 17serial number 43 based in the Leningrad area in the summer of 1941.  The aircraft is finished in Dark Green upper surfaces and Light Blue under surfaces.

• Polikarpov I-16 Type 17of the 191st IAP serial number 8 flown by 1st Lt S. Zhuikov in the summer of 1941.  The aircraft is finished in Dark Green and Light Green upper surfaces and Light Blue under surfaces.  The aircraft has no spinner fitted.

• Polikarpov I-16 Type 17of the 84th IAP flown by Capt A.A Khudiakov, Caucasus, Soviet Union in 1942.  The aircraft is finished in Olive Drab upper surfaces, and light Blue under surfaces.  The aircraft has a light grey overspray around the rear fuselage and fin.  The aircraft has no spinner fitted.

• Polikarpov I-16 Type 17of the 4th GIAP flown by Mikhail Ya Vasilev in Spring 1942.  The aircraft is finished in Olive Drab upper surfaces, and light Blue under surfaces.  The aircraft has Flat Black camouflage applied to the upper surfaces.\

Finally Eduard has provided a paint mask set for the windscreen and wheels to assist in the painting of these areas.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2010 by Mick Evans
Images Copyright © 2010 by Brett Green
Page Created 10 March, 2010
Last updated 10 March, 2010

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