Quote from: Spiros on Jan 06, 2026, 10:25 AMI loved your Polikarpov during IIFI2025.
As discussed it is one of my future projects from Richard's plans.
It would be ideal if you have and present the whole building process. It would help alot!
Hereby i will make a build thread of my Polikarpov I-16 RED 21.
Polikarpov I-16 Ishak RED 21Richard Crossley Design
Scale: 1/14
Span: 25" / 63.5cm
Balsa and tissue construction
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/polikarpov_i-16__010.274261/full?d=1740336147)
I made my own printwood by transferring the parts to the balsa by a clothing iron.
This will only work with a laser printer (thermo activated ink).
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/polikarpov_i-16__001.274252/full?d=1740335929)
All required parts cut out:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/polikarpov_i-16__002.274253/full?d=1740335929)
Cheers, Ramses
I have glued the parts of the keels together and glued the half formers to the keels:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/polikarpov_i-16__004.274255/full?d=1740335929)
Following the instructions, I removed the left fuselage half from the building table and glued the other half formers to the right side.
I also started on the engine cowling, a clever and simple construction using interlocking parts:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/polikarpov_i-16__006.274257/full?d=1740335929)
I covered the cowl with soft 1.5mm sheet in one piece all around:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/polikarpov_i-16__007.274258/full?d=1740335929)
Short stubby fuselage
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/media/polikarpov_i-16__008.274259/full?d=1740335929)
Cheers, Ramses
I have added the stringers to the fuselage formers.
Added an extra peg position as suggested by Richard, one bay forward of the peg position on the plans.
Made the tailcone from soft light balsa and hollowed it out:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745596602779-png.616218/)
I read a covering tip on the very extensive and beautiful plans:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745596808906-png.616219/)
Made a frame and glued a piece of tissue to it:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745596820697-png.616220/)
Damped it and put it away for later:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745596833547-png.616221/)
Cheers, Ramses
Astonishing!!
As menntioned, it's on of my targets and these pics really help!
Thank you Spiros!
And my pleasure.
Cheers, Ramses
The cowling has a front made of 0.8mm aircraft grade plywood, which I cut out with a jigsaw:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745597325958-png.616222/)
The templates for the rest of the parts for the cowl cut from the drawing:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745597338716-png.616224/)
Transferred the templates to balsa of different hardness/weight and cut out:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745597356540-png.616225/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745597368319-png.616226/)
The openings for the exhausts were made according to the extensive building instructions:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745597381391-png.616227/)
Initially, I had made the exhaust openings according to the building instructions.
But that's a different I-16 version; my I-16 version has two fewer exhaust openings at the bottom.
I added different, wider openings and a central air intake in their place:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745597397075-png.616228/)
I made a plug from hard balsa to make the gun covers.
Heat shrunk very thin styreen over the balsa plug:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745597409781-png.616229/)
Cheers, Ramses
The turtledeck for the Polikarpov is made from a shaped and hollowed-out block of balsa.
I selected the lightest, thickest balsa I had available and first cut out the side contour:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745598358460-png.616230/)
Glued these together and then cut out the top contour:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745598369826-png.616231/)
First I made the outer shape and then hollowed it out as much as possible:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745598389243-png.616232/)
Cheers, Ramses
The I-16 has laminated tail surfaces.
I first made the required templates from balsa:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745598401005-png.616233/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745598412628-png.616234/)
Despite its short, stubby appearance, the Polikarpov also has beautiful lines in its design (especially with the fairings):
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745598427663-png.616235/)
Start of building the wings:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745598454545-png.616237/)
Cheers, Ramses
The Polikarpov I-16 parts so far:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745599314620-png.616238/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745599327529-png.616239/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745599342623-png.616240/)
Cheers, Ramses
Richard Crossley designed rocket racks for his Polikarpov I-16 and shared these drawings with me. I cut rods from a piece of foam and sanded them round. The rails are made from 1.5mm balsa:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745842449439-jpeg.616577/)
Carefully sand, sand and sand...:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745842456867-jpeg.616578/)
I blackened the rails with a marker pen and made fins for the rockets from paper:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745842470159-jpeg.616580/)
0.62 grams for six rockets, that's just over a tenth of a gram per rocket:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745842484350-jpeg.616582/)
Cheers, Ramses
I lift the tailplane outlines according to plans and made the ribs for the tailplanes.
Also glued the wing ribs to the lower stringers:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745842755484-jpeg.616583/)
Added the upper stringers and lightly sanded the tailplanes.
Also painted a ground layer on the cowl:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745842770011-jpeg.616584/)
Covered the leading edge with 0.5mm soft balsa:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745842777474-jpeg.616586/)
Made openings in the engine cowling to fit the wing:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745842785866-jpeg.616587/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1745842794306-jpeg.616588/)
Cheers, Ramses
I choose the subject for my model:
Polikarpov I-16 type 24 Ishak
4GvIAP Red 21
GD Tsokolayev
sn 2423321
Novaya Ladoga Airfield 1941-42
I placed a 4-view of the Red 21 at the same scale as the plans on an A0 sheet in photoshop and plotted it:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746172753521-jpeg.616826/)
I use this 1:1 drawing as a reference for details, markings, panel lines, etc.:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746172766587-jpeg.616827/)
Cheers, Ramses
As mentioned in a previous post, the turtle deck is made of hollowed-out solid balsa.
It sits well behind the CG, and I was wary of the weight...
First with a Dremel, then with progressively finer sandpaper i hollowed the block.
The wall thickness is less than a millimeter in many places, but thanks to the double-curved shape, it's still strong.
The resulting weight of the entire turtle deck is 1.1 grams, with the pores already filled and sanded smooth (outside):
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746723946107-png.617656/)
The plans shows a top, front, and side view of the windshield.
Based on this, i made a balsa plug with extra balsa on the bottom and rear:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746723959887-png.617657/)
I glued a piece of scrap balsa wood to the undersite of the plug, so I could hold the plug in a vice. For this small windshield, I simply held a lighter under clear PET and pulled it over the balsa plug:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746723970890-png.617658/)
In the same way, i also made a cockpit frame from very thin white styrene:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746723982192-png.617659/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746723992598-png.617660/)
I found it the easiest way to cut the frame over the balsa plug:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746724016754-png.617661/)
Then I glued the frame over the windshield with canopy glue:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746724032299-png.617662/)
Cheers, Ramses
The wheels i made from multiple layers of foam.
I cut the foam discs with a circle cutter:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775281205-jpeg.617690/)
The thin brass axles are glued into the foam with epoxy (they now look like tea lights ;)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775290623-jpeg.617691/)
After the epoxy hardend, I inserted a steel wire into the axle and clamped the axle in a Dremel. I sanded the wheels/tires into shape with sandpaper. The landing gear legs are bent as shown on plans:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775297296-jpeg.617692/)
It's difficult to see in the photo below, but next to the legs are four brass tubes that are glued into the wing:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775303925-jpeg.617693/)
Glued the brass tubes in the wing and started dressing the legs with light round balsa:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775310979-jpeg.617694/)
Further dressing the legs with light round balsa and strips of paper:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775317370-jpeg.617695/)
The rough landing gear:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775326615-jpeg.617696/)
Cheers, Ramses
I painted the rockets black with acrylic paint, which doesn't damage the foam.
First, I painted a layer over a test piece of foam to be sure:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775905032-jpeg.617697/)
Let the rockets dry in a sort of "V2 setup" ;)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775921672-jpeg.617698/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746776566826-jpeg.617705/)
The rockets and landing gear are weathered with Humbrol silver paint, applied by dry-brush. I glued the foam rockets to the balsa rails with UHU Por:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775928559-jpeg.617699/)
The paper rims glued onto the foam wheels and the tyres painted black:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746775979133-jpeg.617702/)
Cheers, Ramses
Parts for the nose plug/prop/spinner:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746905461349-png.617864/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746905475281-png.617865/)
A backplate for the spinner, with a washer recessed into it, was made.
Hollowed out the balsa spinner, first with the Dremel and then with sandpaper:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746905485898-png.617866/)
Glued all together and finished the spinner with pieces of paper (still needs to be sanded well):
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746905497421-png.617867/)
The plans shows a tail skid, but my version (Type 24) had a tail wheel instead of a skid.
The rest of the assembly is built as shown on the drawing, with a 0.4mm core and balsa sanded to shape. The tail wheel rotates smoothly on the axle; fortunately, no glue got into it. A white ground layer is applied:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746905520416-png.617869/)
Cheers, Ramses
The woodwork for the Polikarpov is finished!
Fuselage, wing, empennage, cowling, exhausts, turtle deck, tailcone, landing gear, wheels, cannon blisters, windshield, wing and empennage fairings, and the engine plug (and also the rockets):
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1746906481350-png.617871/)
Cheers, Ramses
In a previous post you can read why I stretched the tissue on a frame and pre-shrunk it:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747036285933-png.617946/)
For this Polikarpov, I have used natural Deluxe EzeTissue.
This tissue weighs 12.5g/m².
It works very well and has a high wet-strength!
You can varnish it with EzeDope, but this natural version can also be varnished with regular dope (which is what I'm going to do).
Like all tissue, it has a grain direction that you need to take into account.
I cut the required sections with the correct grain direction from the frame.
Starting with the tail planes:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747036296078-jpeg.617947/)
One sheet of tissue was enough for the tail surfaces and wing.
In the photo below, the top of the wing still needs to be covered:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747036302688-jpeg.617948/)
I applied the pre-tensioned tissue to the tail surfaces and wing dry and didn't dampen it afterward. It still sits nice and tight and wrinkle-free:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747036309142-jpeg.617949/)
For the fuselage, I used a new sheet of EzeTissue, which isn't pre-tensioned.
The Polikarpov fuselage is strongly double-curved, and I wanted to try covering large sections wet instead of using individual strips. Because of its high wet-strength, you can pull the tissue wet around the fuselage, and it dries tightly:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747036316486-jpeg.617950/)
I applied all tissue to the I-16 with a glue stick:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747036323293-jpeg.617951/)
The last two pieces of tissue and the fuselage is done:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747036329618-jpeg.617952/)
Left to dry:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747036335720-jpeg.617953/)
Cheers, Ramses
Ready for dope and finishing:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747037641722-jpeg.617956/)
Cheers, Ramses
Hi Ramses,
please do not post AI generated or AI modified images in your posts.
Workbenches can not and should not be that clean and orderly... It just doesn't look right.
If, unlikely as it may be, these are indeed photographs of your workbench, then stop posting altogether as you are putting us in a very difficult spot.
George
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I finish the tissue with a mixeture of 50% Model Engineering spanlak and 50% Extron nitroverdünnung fur flugzeug spannlack (in two layers):
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747121754348-jpeg.618044/)
I made pieces of wood covered with tape on the table to pin everything in place while hardening. Here I started the first layer of dope on the underside of the wing:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747121760886-jpeg.618045/)
There's an extra balsa wedge under the right wing's trailing edge.
This is to provide the right wing half with washout:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747121768267-jpeg.618046/)
First coat on all parts (except the unsupported left wing half):
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747121773990-jpeg.618047/)
Cheers, Ramses
The left wing half has been fixed after the first coat of thinned dope.
Meanwhile, all parts have received two coats of thinned dope:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747500847450-png.618383/)
I pinned the cowling temporary to the fuselage, ready to glue the wing to the fuselage:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747500860086-png.618384/)
Wing inserted into the cowling recesses and glued the wing to the fuselage:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747500879340-png.618385/)
Turtledeck glued to the fuselage and the fuselage prepared for gluing the stabilizer and tail cone:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747500892272-png.618386/)
The drawing shows small lithoplate hinges for the fin and rudder:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747500904385-png.618387/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747500916526-png.618388/)
The fin and rudder are glued to the fuselage, and the formers for the wing fairings are made:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747500927673-png.618389/)
The front cockpit edge and cockpit doors are made of paper.
Next up are the paper fairings:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747500939016-png.618390/)
Cheers, Ramses
First, I made the fairings on the underside of the horizontal stabilizer.
The templates shown on plans fit perfectly; again, a very nice design to build!!
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747501741158-png.618393/)
Stabilizer, fin and wing fairings finished so far, now on to the underside of the fuselage:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747501751973-png.618394/)
There is a considerable part that needs to be covered:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747501763961-png.618395/)
The paper fairings for the fuselage/wing transition are glued in place.
A 1.5mm balsa spar is made, which will rest against the cowling.
A 1.5mm balsa wedge is glued behind it, which will form the belly:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747501775256-png.618396/)
Finished the belly:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747501785755-png.618397/)
Covered with tissue and two layers of thinned dope over it:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747501796491-png.618398/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747501806435-png.618399/)
The Polikarpov is ready for finishing:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747501817747-png.618400/)
Cheers, Ramses
Cut the thin hollow styrene gun covers to size and glued them to the nose:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747675738335-png.618556/)
I like how the fuselage is built around the protruding wing:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747675764021-png.618557/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747675774779-png.618558/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747675795759-png.618560/)
Glued the cowling to the fuselage and finishing the two peg positions:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747675805696-png.618561/)
Preparing for the rubber motor according to the plans with a Rooks hook on the prop shaft:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747675815558-png.618562/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747675846242-png.618565/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747675836398-png.618564/)
Cheers, Ramses
The Polikarpov I-16 Ishak has completed its first test throws outside (without LG):
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747676554970-png.618568/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747676597817-png.618572/)
Cheers, Ramses
I made the decals for the Polikarpov I-16 RED 21 in Photoshop and printed them on a laser printer:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1747904487688-jpeg.618742/)
A paint corner improvised from an old cardboard box:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748193272673-png.619164/)
First the underside of the I-16 with the airbrush:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748193288165-png.619165/)
Mask off everything for the gray color on the top:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748193298263-png.619166/)
Holes temporarily filled with soft foam:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748193308519-png.619167/)
Applied the gray topcoat with the airbrush. I also airbrushed a sheet of 200g paper with the "sky" color, which I'm going to use to make new rims in the same color as the underside of the I-16:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748193319551-png.619168/)
Cheers, Ramses
Cut out the decals and ready to apply:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748194027291-png.619170/)
The new rims:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748194035852-png.619171/)
The decals for the LG were unfortunately too fragile...
I made them on an 8-micron thick decal sheet; in hindsight, 13 micron would have been better... So I painted them myself. First the outlines:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748194045040-png.619172/)
Painting with matt black Humbrol:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748194054318-png.619173/)
Glueing the six rockets to the wing with UHU Hart:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748194062897-png.619174/)
The layers of paint appear opaque, but are sprayed so lightly that you can see through them with strong light behind them:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748194072293-png.619175/)
Lightly weathered the I-16 with dry brush:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748194082768-png.619176/)
Cheers, Ramses
What I also had to make was a new, wide and hook-shaped 'winder stand' for the Polikarpov:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748624244970-png.619611/)
Since this winder stand is specifically for the Polikarpov RED 21, the stand has been given the same color and number ;)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748624254440-png.619612/)
The Peanut Polikarpov in the standard winder stand, the RED 21 in its own dedicated winder stand:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748624274765-png.619614/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1748624283975-png.619615/)
Converted a 'planebox' for the Polikarpovs:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750525680249-png.621750/)
Cheers, Ramses
In June 2025, we had an indoor trim/flying day. I set up my table and got the equipment ready. I was a bit nervous (small gym and lots of table legs), but I was also looking forward to it:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750525757298-png.621751/)
I had some bad luck with my rubber motors that day.
First, after fully winding, the rubber came off the hook in the fuselage... a violent explosion in a fragile fuselage.
No damage, unbelievable, lucky me i thought..
But this happened three more times (!!), remarkable because I'd never experienced this before. A rubber motor also snapped during winding.
Meanwhile, the Polikarpov had some damage to the fuselage tissue but was still flyable.
Henk (de Jong) gave me a blast tube, which we used every time afterward. Thanks again, Henk! Henk also helped me bend the propshaft hook after sliding the rubber over it. After that, I had no more problems with the rubber motors and luckily I was able to make some trim flights. An action photo taken by Henk:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750525772480-png.621752/)
Since the gym in Velp is relatively small, I started very carefully.
On the other side of the hall to avoid the table legs during takeoff. I started the Polikarpov right in the corner of the gym because I knew from Richard that the I-16 initially flies straight for quite a while.
That was indeed the case, and I eventually managed to get the Polikarpov to turn counter clockwise in this gym after a straight takeoff. Very low to the ground, with the left wingtip occasionally dragging on the ground.
The damage to the Polikarpov due to the 'exploding'rubber in the fuselage several times. Below and behind the cockpit, there's tissue damage and a piece of stringer broken:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750525786854-png.621753/)
Tissue damage at the number 21:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750525795498-png.621754/)
And the tail wheel is broken:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750525806498-png.621755/)
Cheers, Ramses
I first removed the damaged tissue:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750527731143-png.621756/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750527741516-png.621757/)
Edges lightly sanded and new tissue and dope applied:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750528220868-png.621763/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750527778577-png.621759/)
Cut out new decals:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750527800890-png.621761/)
Colored the new tissue with the airbrush:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750527822995-png.621762/)
New decals applied:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750528481892-png.621765/)
Made a winding rod and fitted it into Henk's blast tube in the Polikarpov:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1750528516620-png.621768/)
Cheers, Ramses
Since i wanted to fly the Polikarpov at the IIFi2025 i had to detail her more. The pilot was made for me by Martin Huk from the Czech Republic, I painted it with Humbrol:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1761830347034-jpeg.634046/)
Made a headrest from thin foam and painted it leather-color with Humbrol. Also made a gunsight from thin foam, balsa, and very thin transparent plastic, a venturi from a plastic tube and balsa and painted it black.
And finally a camera holder from paper, balsa, and a thin plastic tube and painted it black:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1761816121511-jpeg.634019/)
Ready for the IIFI2025:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1762097848844-jpeg.634382/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1762097888103-jpeg.634385/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1762097895720-jpeg.634386/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1762097907007-jpeg.634387/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1762097914070-jpeg.634388/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1762097930632-jpeg.634390/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1762097947138-jpeg.634392/)
Cheers, Ramses
Ready for IIFI2025, all Polikarpov I-16`s:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1763828456323-jpeg.636398/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1763828717648-jpeg.636409/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1763828748905-jpeg.636411/)
Cheers
...and then, on to IIFI2025!
Sitting comfortably at one table with Henk (de Jong) and his wife:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1763828902336-jpeg.636412/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1763828909998-jpeg.636413/)
Shortly after arriving, I placed my Polikarpov and the documentation on the judging table.
I don't remember who took this photo, but it's a nice shot of the Polikarpov being judged:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1763828917101-jpeg.636414/)
...and then...off we go!
At first, the rubber came off the hook again, and I was really fed up with that! So I made a Czech hook after all, and no more loose motors all weekend!
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1763828924576-jpeg.636415/)
The first rubber motors were too long, and it was a nice "racecar," but it didn't fly...
Back to a short engine, and that worked, enough power for take off now. New rubber motor in the Polikarpov:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1763828932294-jpeg.636416/)
I got the idea to remove the landing gear and try a hand toss.
That way I could at least get some flight points.
But then you have to throw the plane properly, of course.
The Polikarpov is difficult to throw (hold) because of the very large wing fairings.
...and, I threw the Polikarpov nose down into the ground...
A perfectly shot photo of this failed hand toss :-[
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1763828940261-jpeg.636417/)
During this throw, the 8" propeller broke, and I didn't have a spare 8" :-[
I walked around and asked, and many propellers were offered to me, but no one had an 8" one.
And the Polikarpov, with its large nose, really needed one. So sadly no more tries... i thought!
Henk suggested gluing the propeller.
Gluing a propeller sounded strange to me, but of course, I was willing to try anything!
Henk surgically glued the broken blade back together, but that wasn't all.
Tissue was applied and even bamboo braces!
A huge thanks to Henk! This allowed me to try two more times!
On the first competition flight, the Polikarpov veered to the left, just barely took off, and then didn't...
One more competition flight (and attempt at all) to go.
The plane needed to climb more, less left rudder, etc. what am I going to do?
It turned out i did too much at once: too much climb and too much right trim.
The Polikarpov took off, climbed too steeply, stalled (?) and rolled to the right, straight into the wall. There was nobody at that wall but the Polikarpov luckely had no damage!!
And then it was over, no more flights for this I-16 at the IIFI2025... Too bad!!
I expected more from myself, but unfortunately, it didn't work out that weekend.
The Polikarpov is still completely intact (except for the prop), and I'll continue to try until I get the I-16 nicely trimmed in a gym. The IIFI2025 is over, but the trimming and flying of this Polikarpov isn't yet. Until the next update!
Cheers, Ramses
Sunday I took some atmospheric pictures of the Polikarpov I-16 with wintercamo in the snow:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1767533303647-png.640570/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1767533315284-png.640571/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1767533336005-png.640573/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1767533345017-png.640574/)
Cheers, Ramses
I also posted the above photos of the I-16 in the snow on Facebook last weekend.
Peter Fardell's response was: "Love it! (Get it on skis and see if it takes off!)"
I thought that was a great idea!!
So last week I made the skis for the I-16.
Two pieces of medium 1.5mm balsa laminated with the curves in them:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768067834075-png.641181/)
Made a 3 view of skis to the scale of my Polikarpov as a guide:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768067844500-png.641182/)
New prop on the noseplug:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768067853831-png.641183/)
Pivot points made of soft balsa with a thin brass axle inside:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768067862279-png.641184/)
Supports also from balsa:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768067870303-png.641185/)
The full balsa ski`s:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768067880167-png.641186/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768067889340-png.641187/)
I blackened the bottom of the skis with a marker, and painted the top with a thin silver color. I lightly weathered the skis with a dark gray wash:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768067897997-png.641188/)
Clear matt varnish over the ski`s:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768067907009-png.641189/)
Cheers, Ramses
Rubber bands should keep the skis in the correct position during flight:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768068615275-png.641192/)
The Polikarpov was placed at the correct angle and the rubber bands glued in place:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768068625565-png.641193/)
At the rear, thin black wire is added to limit the deflection:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768068634582-png.641194/)
Finished the ski`s, a new prop on the motor plug and a variation of the Czech hook on the prop shaft:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768068642722-png.641195/)
A video of the landing gear operation:
Cheers, Ramses
Unfortunately, there was only snow on the rough fields and the frozen roads today...
There was hardly any snow on the flat grasslands, so I didn't fly today but took some photos:
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768069036217-png.641197/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768069046225-png.641198/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768069054795-png.641199/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768069062961-png.641200/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768069071045-png.641201/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768069079377-png.641202/)
(https://www.modelbouwforum.nl/attachments/1768069087924-png.641203/)
Waiting for a new fresh layer of snow!
Cheers, Ramses
Beautiful craftsmanship Ramses. I'm looking forward to seeing it flying when you have it trimmed.
Good luck.
John
Stunning build. I feel that this aeroplane is really characterised by its cowling. You really made a crisp job of that. I also liked the canopy frame made on the same plug as the transparency.
Can you share the propeller hook details, that you had problems with?
I wonder I you played the old IL2 flight simulation; that seemed to have every variation of that plane. The artwork makes a good source of skin artwork and instrument panel detail.