| Date of Review |
March 2005 |
| Manufacturer |
Amodel |
| Subject |
Polikarpov I-190 |
| Scale |
1/72 |
| Kit Number |
72112 |
| Primary Media |
Styrene |
| Detail Media |
Styrene |
| Clear Media |
Styrene |
| Pros |
Interesting little kit |
| Cons |
|
| Skill Level |
Basic |
| MSRP (USD) |
$13.98 |
Background
During the early 1930s, noted aviation designers Pavel Sukhoi,
Artem Mikoyan, Andrej Tupolev and Nikolaj Polikarpov were sitting
in a Black Sea dacha, relaxing over some Vodka, when the inevitable
dares were exchanged. When it was Polikarpov's turn, his friends
dared him to make a 55 gallon drum fly. And so began the I-15/I-152/I-190/I-16
fighter series. Okay, so this isn't how this famous fighter
series started, but the one characteristic common to the aircraft
series is a big radial engine mounted to a short round fuselage!
In actuality, the I-190 did have its roots with the I-15 biplane
fighter. The I-153 was an improved verion of the I-15 that retained
the upper gull wing and incorporated other improvements/changes
in structural strength, armament, and engine. The I-190 was the
last hope at gaining more performance out of the biplane fighter
by adding retractable landing gear.
The Kit
Amodel has released the advanced fighter biplane of the Polikarpov
OKB that was designated I-190. This kit represents the gull-winged
upper wing, rearward retractable landing gear, and your choice
of I-153 (early) or I-190 (late) engines and cowlings.
Molded in white styrene, the kit is a typical limited production
model that will require a little clean-up and dry-fitting of
parts, but nothing that would cause any difficulties for a
good modeler. The kit features a nice cockpit that will be
a challenge to see when assembled, though you may opt to surgically
remove and open the Spitfire-styled shoulder entry door.
You're given a choice of early or late styled cowlings, wheels
or skis on the main landing gear, bombs on the underwing bomb
racks, and your choice of a winter or a winter paint scheme.
Markings are provided for a generic I-190 with no side numbers
or distinctive markings, which was typical of the pre-war aircraft.
Conclusion
If you are tired of yet another Bf 109 on the contest table,
this aircraft with bombs and skis will help to get some attention.
This kit is recommended!
My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for
this review sample!
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