Polikarpov I-16 Decals China and Japan
Référence SpecialHobby 32042
SpecialHobby 32042 Polikarpov I-16 Decals China and Japan
Polikarpov I-16 was one of very successful 1930s monoplane fighters equipped with retractable undercarriage. The production of the first of many subsequent versions had started in 1934. I-16 participated in many conflicts in Europe and Asia since the Spanish Civil War to the Second World War. They were still in use even in 1944 on Eastern Front.
Soviet Union offered it "volunteers" and aircraft during Sino-Japanese Conflict as a part of help to China. I-16s were delivered in significant numbers among the other aircraft delivered to China. The combat deployment took part in 1938. Both Soviet and Chinese pilots used them. China used I-16s till 1942 when they were no chance against modern A6M2 Zeroes. Japanese happened to seize one I-16 during Nomonhan conflict and they subsequently tested it in Japanese mainland. The I-16 kit contains four sprues with plastic parts allowing to build I-16 typ 10 or 17, injected windshield, resin and photo-etched parts Decals included offer three machines in Chinese markings and one Japanese aircraft.