Title: Le POLIKARPOV I-16
Authors:

C. Cony, M. Ledet, J.A. Cerda, D.Y. Louis & V. Kulikov

Publisher

LELA PRESSE
Price

Approx 41.40 $ USD

Reviewer: Jean Paul Poisseroux

Notes:

ISBN 9782914017077

 

Characteristics:
A-4 format, hard cover, 296 pages, 7pictures in color, 479 in b/w, 10 drawings, 68 large color profiles, 2 format 3D cutaways. 6 parts,  19 chapters. French text .

 
Today is the presentation of an other excellent study by Avion/jet , now well-known as Lela Presse in France. The little Russian “midget” from the 30’ had been covered up to this date, only with thin books. Once again the publisher lead us in the bush!
Most of us remain the tiny fighter as the hero of the “patriotic war” around 1941.
But this amazing  European modern fighter (in august 1934), saw combat in Spain in 1938, in prelude to the Second World War, and cut its engine for the last time also in Spain, on 18 august 1953.  This “bible” on the nicknamed Rata (or Moska) covers all the types and users of this armed racer. Six parts and nineteen chapters developed by six authors circle well the subject:

-         1st part : 65 pages (prototype, production from I-16 type 4 to I-16V (including UTI 2-4),unlucky derivatives, I-180/185).

-         2nd part : 89 pages covering the operational career in the VVS (war against Japan, Finland), the Zveno type.

-         3rd part : 54 pages for the Great Patriotic War (North, Baltic and Leningrad, west district and Moscow, Kiev, Odessa, Far East).

-         4th part : 61 pages devoted to the “Spanish arena” (from war with the  Madrid campaign with the republicans to the  Ejercito del Aire  after war).

-         5th part : 35 pages for the International career of the fighter ( Chinese, Japan, Luftwaffe, Romania, Finland, Poland).

-         6th part : appendix, Aces, Russian battle order on 22 june 1941, profiles).

 

From the 479 black and white pictures, some concern pilot portrays but the others are here for the first time offer to the readers. Aside the common red star, we discover the Chinese emblem from a forgotten war and some unusual code and markings elsewhere on the planet. If we keep in mind the cold and snowy East flat land, we also see the agile fighter in the Spanish furnace!  But before the war pictures, a comprehensive presentation of the different types is well rendered. It covers the I-5, the I-16 type 4/5/6/9/10/12/17/18/19/20/24/28/29 and the trainers. There are illustrated with drawings (certainly 1/72 scale), and close up from factory pictures on usual spotted areas. The last part  is in color. First you find 2 wartime pictures, one I-16 type 28 and one UTI-4  trainer, just captured by the Germans. Three other snap shots from a film show the sole Romanian I-16. (to display the nationality crosses and the additional air scop on right engine cowl). The 68 profiles are the “cerises sur le gateau”, almost full width pages, displaying all nationalities listed above with normal and winter camouflages for Russian aircrafts, aerobatic and display teams. We also have cutaway profiles (left, right) of single and two seaters Polikarpov  which show interior layouts. Upper and under color drawings also show fabric and uncovered structure, spotting on metal/ wood areas. Finally a 3D artist view show the engine and forward fuel tank, and a cockpit view from floor at the seat level that reveal clearly the internal structure made of tubes and cables. My conclusion is simple, this is one of the best study on the subject , a very useful reference for interesting people for the I-16 and for modellers for the rich documents included, especially artworks that fall well for the Special Hobby and Azur  1/32 I-16 10/17, as for 1/48 and 1/72 boxes from other manufacturers. Aside the typical  WWII red star models, you could choose a Chinese, or an after war Spanish aircraft  for an unusual display. Highly recommended. JPP

Available at:  http://www.avionsbateaux.com/

December  2005

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