In Box Review of MPM 1/48th Scale
Soviet Polikarpov I-153 Biplane Fighter
Kit no. Unknown
By Ray Mehlberger
Out of production
By Ray Mehlberger
Out of production
HISTORY
N.N. Polikarpov aeroplane I-153 (I-15 ter) was tested in the summer of 1938 as the following type of the I-15 biplane. The series production started in the spring of 1939. Compared with the X-15, the overall design did not change very much. The only difference was the mid-part span of the upper wing.
The most marked change was a retractable undercarriage. The first planes of this type were powered by N-25W engines. Later versions by N-62R ones (850 hp/ 620 kw).
The AV-1 propeller was a two-bladed metal, variable-pitch airscrew. At first, the planes were armed with four 7.62 mm machine guns ShKas, and later on with 12.7 mm UBS types. It was possible to suspend 4 bombs of 25 kg each or 8 unguided rockets RS-82 under the bottom wing.
The "Tahaikas" were counted among the most successful fighters of that time. The I-153 underwent the baptism of fire in the Far East, on the border-line between Mongolia and Manchuria, in the battles against Japan. The Europa Russian-Finish Front in the winter of 1939.
After Germany's invasion of the USSR, these planes were already obsolete. Nevertheless, they helped a lot by the defence of Leningrad. Their last combats took place in the winter 1941-42 during the air defence.
The X-153's were in the services of the Soviet, Chinese and Finish Air Forces. The date of delivering them to the Spanish Republican Air Arm has not been confirmed.
The production of this type includes nearly 3,500 planes. It was the last pursuit biplane of the Soviet Air Forces.
It was a one-seat biplane of an mixed construction. The fuselage had a steel tube structure, the nose was covered with duralumin sheets, the remaining parts had fabric coverings. The two-spar wings were made from wood and had fabric coverings. The wing fillets were covered with duralumin sheets. The tail planes had duralumin framework with a fabric covering.
N.N. Polikarpov aeroplane I-153 (I-15 ter) was tested in the summer of 1938 as the following type of the I-15 biplane. The series production started in the spring of 1939. Compared with the X-15, the overall design did not change very much. The only difference was the mid-part span of the upper wing.
The most marked change was a retractable undercarriage. The first planes of this type were powered by N-25W engines. Later versions by N-62R ones (850 hp/ 620 kw).
The AV-1 propeller was a two-bladed metal, variable-pitch airscrew. At first, the planes were armed with four 7.62 mm machine guns ShKas, and later on with 12.7 mm UBS types. It was possible to suspend 4 bombs of 25 kg each or 8 unguided rockets RS-82 under the bottom wing.
The "Tahaikas" were counted among the most successful fighters of that time. The I-153 underwent the baptism of fire in the Far East, on the border-line between Mongolia and Manchuria, in the battles against Japan. The Europa Russian-Finish Front in the winter of 1939.
After Germany's invasion of the USSR, these planes were already obsolete. Nevertheless, they helped a lot by the defence of Leningrad. Their last combats took place in the winter 1941-42 during the air defence.
The X-153's were in the services of the Soviet, Chinese and Finish Air Forces. The date of delivering them to the Spanish Republican Air Arm has not been confirmed.
The production of this type includes nearly 3,500 planes. It was the last pursuit biplane of the Soviet Air Forces.
It was a one-seat biplane of an mixed construction. The fuselage had a steel tube structure, the nose was covered with duralumin sheets, the remaining parts had fabric coverings. The two-spar wings were made from wood and had fabric coverings. The wing fillets were covered with duralumin sheets. The tail planes had duralumin framework with a fabric covering.
THE KIT:
MPM is a model company based in Prague, Czech Republic.
They manufacture short-run multi-media type kits.
This kit came in a unwrapped generic white box. The cover art is a seperate sheet glued to the lid.
The cover art shows two I-153's sitting on a grassy runway.
Both are green over light-blue undercarriages and have red cowlings. The one in the foreground has a blue rudder with a white 6 on it.
Only the nose of the second I-153 is visible and looks to have a red cowling.
MPM is a model company based in Prague, Czech Republic.
They manufacture short-run multi-media type kits.
This kit came in a unwrapped generic white box. The cover art is a seperate sheet glued to the lid.
The cover art shows two I-153's sitting on a grassy runway.
Both are green over light-blue undercarriages and have red cowlings. The one in the foreground has a blue rudder with a white 6 on it.
Only the nose of the second I-153 is visible and looks to have a red cowling.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
This kit contains 2 chalk-white vacuformed sheets and 3 green injection molded plastic trees, a vacuformed clear canopy, the decal sheet and instructions. Green trees are in a clear sealed cello bag.
The instructions consists of a unbound booklet of 6 pages in 12" x 8 1/2" page format.
Page 1 begins with a line-drawing profile of the I-153 over its history in Czech, English and German.
Page 2 is a 2-view line drawing of the I-153.
Page 3 is front view of it, over its specifications and international assembly symbol explanations.
Page 4 has 6 assembly steps on it.
Page 5 has the 7th and last assembly step on it.
Page 6 has two 3-views on it.
The first 3-view is of a I-153 in a wave pattern of brown and green over a light-blue under carraige. It has a 102 fuselage number.
The second 3-view is the box art scheme (already described above).
The decal has a tissue to protect its face from scratching.
The 1st chalk-white vacuformed sheet holds: the fuselage halves and bottom section of the cowling (4 parts)
This kit contains 2 chalk-white vacuformed sheets and 3 green injection molded plastic trees, a vacuformed clear canopy, the decal sheet and instructions. Green trees are in a clear sealed cello bag.
The instructions consists of a unbound booklet of 6 pages in 12" x 8 1/2" page format.
Page 1 begins with a line-drawing profile of the I-153 over its history in Czech, English and German.
Page 2 is a 2-view line drawing of the I-153.
Page 3 is front view of it, over its specifications and international assembly symbol explanations.
Page 4 has 6 assembly steps on it.
Page 5 has the 7th and last assembly step on it.
Page 6 has two 3-views on it.
The first 3-view is of a I-153 in a wave pattern of brown and green over a light-blue under carraige. It has a 102 fuselage number.
The second 3-view is the box art scheme (already described above).
The decal has a tissue to protect its face from scratching.
The 1st chalk-white vacuformed sheet holds: the fuselage halves and bottom section of the cowling (4 parts)
The 2nd chalk-white vacuformed sheet holds the wings and elevator halves (6 parts)
The 1st green injection molded plastic tree holds: the propeller, engine, main wheel halves, struts (5 parts)
The 2nd green plastic tree holds: seats, other main wheel halves, engine cylinders etc. (6 parts)
The 3rd green plastic tree holds: dashboard, joystick, struts etc. (9 parts)
The 2nd green plastic tree holds: seats, other main wheel halves, engine cylinders etc. (6 parts)
The 3rd green plastic tree holds: dashboard, joystick, struts etc. (9 parts)
The decal sheet completes the kit contents.
There is no pilot figure included. Detail is engraved and flaps are all molded solid.
Recommended.
Recommended.