[MOC] - 1/32 Polikarpov's I-16 M-22 (type 4)

[Max_Lego]

The I-16 is back!

The first production model of the famous fighter aircraft lacked its iconic Watter tunnel cowling and had a sleek NACA cowling instead. It was equipped with a M-22 engine - a licensed copy of the French Gnome-Rhone "Jupiter" VI. It became the fourth type of aircraft produced at the 21st plant in Gorky (they later manufactured the La-11), so it was designated 'type 4'. It's probably the most obscure I-16 variant, but for me, it's the most beautiful.

This particular I-16 was flown by future Spanish Civil war fighter ace Ivan Trofimovich Yeremenko, who later participated in the Great Patriotic war.

Long ago, I already tried to recreate the legendary plane out of Lego - it was my first Lego model of a real life aircraft - but it didn't satisfy me. After acqiring some dark green parts, I built this new version at 1/32 scale.

This cockpit may look too cramped, but it still fits a pilot minifigure - I tested it myself:

Of course, the landing gear can be retracted:

The fighter plane in flight configuration:

I hope you like it!

Edited November 16, 2024 by Max_Lego

[ILoveSeatron]

Cool plane, I like it!  I especially like the foldable front wheels. 

Edited November 16, 2024 by ILoveSeatron

[Max_Lego]

2 minutes ago, ILoveSeatron said:

Cool plane, I like it!  I especially like the foldable front wheels. 

Thanks! Appreciated 

[ILoveSeatron]

1 minute ago, Max_Lego said:

Thanks! Appreciated 

Your welcome, it's a great moc!

[Feuer Zug]

Well built. I like the way you solved some issues working with LEGO to create rounded shapes. The way you secured the cockpit windscreen is particularly interesting.

[Max_Lego]

44 minutes ago, Feuer Zug said:

Well built. I like the way you solved some issues working with LEGO to create rounded shapes. The way you secured the cockpit windscreen is particularly interesting.

Thanks! As of the windscreen, there apparently was no other reasonable way to secure it