Polikarpov I-16 Type 24
Weekend Edition

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brad Fallen

Eduard's 1/48 scale I-16 Type 24 Weekend Edtion is available online from Squadron.com
 

The Polikarpov I-16 Type 24 entered Soviet service in 1939 and incorporated changes reflecting combat experience in Spain and improvements in available technology.  The latter included replacement of the 800 hp Shvetsov M-62 radial engine that had powered the preceding Type 18 with the 900 hp M-63, producing an increase in service ceiling but a decrease in range.  This issue was addressed by fitting underwing drop tanks, which could now be carried thanks to internally strengthened wings.  The new engine required a minor revision of cowling and spinner shape.  Other changes included the addition of a starboard cockpit door, a tailwheel (replacing the skid of earlier models), a radio access hatch on the starboard fuselage, and a gun-camera mounting bracket on the fuselage spine.

These refinements gave the Type 24 a modest performance boost over previous I-16 versions.  However, they also pushed the airframe to its evolutionary limits, with the only subsequent production variant, the Type 29, offering even fewer improvements.  By now the I-16 was obsolescent compared to most other European fighters, a point made clear after the German invasion in June 1941 when it was well outclassed by Messerschmitt Bf 109s.  Only the I-16’s numerical importance in the Soviet inventory, and the bravery and skill of many I-16 pilots, ensured the type made an important contribution to national defence before being phased out in favour of more modern designs.

Eduard first released its 1/48 I-16 Type 24 kit as a Profipack edition back in 2006, following up with a Weekend Edition in 2009.  The Weekend Edition was reviewed on Hyperscale, with the reviewer commenting favourably on its accuracy and detail before concluding that it was a “delightful looking kit that should go together quite comfortably”.

Eduard has now reissued its Weekend Edition kit of the Type 24, with slightly revised packaging but in other respects identical to the 2009 release.

On opening the box, it is clear that Eduard is using freshly moulded plastic parts because these are grey, not the olive brown that identified Eduard kits until last year.  The moulds are also holding up well because there is no obvious flash or other forms of imperfection.

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Thumbnail panels:

I found it interesting to compare this kit to the I-16 Type 10 re-release that I reviewed earlier this year.  The examination highlighted some of the key differences between the Type 10 and Type 24, as well as Eduard’s practice of addressing these differences by moulding dedicated alternative parts rather than relying on potentially ill fitting inserts.

These differences are as follows:

• The Type 24 lower wing includes the hardpoints for underwing tanks and weapons, as well as a differently shaped lower cowling.  (Unfortunately the underwing stores are not included as options in this kit.)

• Some of the structural changes to the Type 24 wing are also represented on the upper wing halves, in the form of revised panels.

• The Type 24 starboard fuselage half incorporates the radio hatch and additional cockpit entry door that were introduced with this version.

• Both Type 24 fuselage halves also include revised cowl fastening details.

• Sprues E and F are identical in both kits, but include appropriate parts for the Type 24 propeller, spinner, cowling, tail wheel and undercarriage.

The engine is represented as a half-bank of cylinders and is common to both kits (and presumably all Eduard I-16 variants), notwithstanding the Type 10 and Type 24’s slightly different engines.  To be fair to Eduard, the engine cylinders will be barely visible on the completed model – largely hidden by the forward cowling – so this is probably a reasonable simplification.

Detail is only slightly compromised by the lack of photo-etched parts.  The cockpit is well appointed and will just need careful painting and some seatbelts to look authentic.  The instrument panel is represented as a decal that is applied over raised dials; this should look reasonable, although punching out the dials and then applying them individually to a pre-painted panel will probably look better.

The black-and-white Weekend Edition instructions are workmanlike but perfectly adequate, with a logical and clearly illustrated assembly sequence.

Markings

As usual for a Weekend Edition kit, only one marking option is provided, for I-16 Type 24 ‘White 11’ flown by Boris Safonov of the 72nd Mixed Aviation Regiment, Northern Fleet, in 1941.  Between 24 June 1941 and his death in combat on 30 May 1942, Safonov destroyed or contributed to the destruction of between 20 and 40 Luftwaffe aircraft (depending on your source), and was twice awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union.  Safonov scored many of these victories while flying I-16s, of which ‘White 11’ is the best known. 

‘White 11’ is certainly spectacularly marked, with large patriotic slogans – reportedly reading “For Stalin!” and “Death to Fascists!” – painted in white on each side of the fuselage.  The aircraft was painted in green over light blue; Eduard recommends Gunze Sanyo Mr. Color 136 Russian Green 2 and Mr. Color 74 Air Superiority Blue as appropriate equivalents.  This simple paint scheme belies how good the kit looks finished in Safonov’s markings – see Scott Lyle’s 2008 model of the Profipack edition to see what I mean.

The black-and-white painting and marking guide includes four view drawings of ‘White 11’ that clearly show colour demarcations and decal locations.  The colour box art also serves as a painting guide, as do the small full-colour profile and underside illustrations on the side of the box.  If you want additional information, photographs of ‘White 11’ are fairly easy to find on the internet.

The small decal sheet is simplicity itself – including the instrument decal that I’ve already mentioned, it contains a grand total of 15 decals.  The most challenging to apply will be the patriotic slogans, which have been printed as single decals with the fuselage stars.  These will need to be applied to a very smooth and glossy surface, and I would also recommend trimming away some of the plentiful carrier film.  The decals are well printed and the black-bordered red stars appear to be perfectly in register.

This kit is another welcome reissue from Eduard.  The combination of a sound basic kit with a colourful and interesting marking option makes this an attractive package, especially given the very reasonable Weekend Edition price.  And come to think of it, the kit’s simplicity along with the two-colour paint scheme and the limited number of decals makes this one of the few Weekend Edition kits that you might reasonably be able to finish within two days.  Highly recommended to fans of World War 2 Soviet aviation, and anyone looking for a fast satisfying build that will look great when finished.

References

Hans-Heiri Stapfer, Polikarpov Fighters in action Part 2 (Squadron/Signal Publications, 1996).

Modeling the Aircraft of the Soviet VVS 1917-1950, www.vvs.hobbyvista.com

The Soviet Military Awards Page, http://soviet-awards.com/digest/safonov/safonov2.htm

Thanks to Eduard for the sample and for the images.

Review Text Copyright © 2013 by Brad Fallen
Page Created 1 July, 2013
Last updated 1 July, 2013

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