Polikarpov I-15 “Red Army” 1/72 Scale
During the 1920s and 30s, fighter planes designed by N. N. Polikarpov were the backbone of the Red Army Air Force. One of these planes was the model I-15. It was first designed by Polikarpov in 1933. The prototype was known as CKB3 and later, on account of
the plane’s excellent maneuverability and climbing capabilities, it was put into the serial production as I-15. The planes of the first
few production series were fitted with M22 engine, later they were given the stronger M25 engine. Similarly, the weaponry also
changed with time; instead of the original two 7.62 mm machine guns, the planes later had four and these were, finally, replaced by
two -large-bore 12.7 mm machine guns. The plane was in production between 1934 and 1937. I-15 planes were first used in action
during the Spanish Civil War. The USSR contributed 155 of these planes, including the trained ‘volunteer pilots’, to the Spanish
conflict as part of the international aid. CASA Factory also made further 237 planed under the licence. The Chaikas (or Huts), as the I-1-5 planes were called, were the best-performing planes of the Republican side, until replaced with the I-16 models. That the I-15s
were indeed fighter planes of excellent qualities can only be supported by the fact that Franco’s Air Force used the planes until the late
1940. The USSR used the planes until the beginning of the World War II.
Technical data: Wing span: 9.75 m, overall length 6.10 m. maximum speed 367 km/h, range: 510 km, weaponry: as in the text above.
Model Name: Special Hobby SH 72085
ISBN: 8595019311855
