First, I had detailed the cockpit using plastic rod, sheet, stretched sprue, H.O. train fittings when I first started the model. All I added now was a modified seat from Academy's F4U-4b, replacing the original resin kit part. The only photo etched parts I used were the seat belts for the seat. The model is one solid piece and not much of the cockpit can be seen with the entry door up, so I kept the detailing light. Having a cowling left over from a dash 4 Corsair conversion, I modified these parts using 1/72nd plans that came from the French book, "Les avions de chasse Polkarpov". I enlarged these to 1/48th and laid out to parts and marked the places to cut.  I then modified the fuselage, to accept the new cowling, by cutting off the nose of the W/K model and sanded the fuselage till the old cowling taper was removed. This was easily done with a large 10 inch bastard file to remove most of the resin and finished with a small 6 inch smooth file. I fitted the cowling to the fuselage and removed the material for the wing root recess with a cordless Dremel tool set at slow speed so as not to melt the plastic.

    Next I filled in the wheel bays, using Micro Ballons with super glue and scribed in the landing gear covers.  In order to scratch build the ski landing gear, I had a front and side profile photo of the aircraft with the skis attached, I enlarged these photos till the fuselage matched the kit length. This then gave me the proper dimensions of the landing skis, I made these using Contrail plastic airfoil shaped struts and balsa stock for the ski bodies. The skis where sanded to profile and sealed with several coats of primer. I added these to the model by first drilling the attachment points and then drilling and pinning the landing skis struts with wire. These were then trial fitted to the model to make sure everything lined up.

    The model was nearly ready for painting, but first I had to remove all the external detail by sanding, in order to redo the incorrect rib detail on the wings and tail units by spray painting. This included removing the ailerons. I began by masking off all the rib and panel detail in negative with masking tape.  Next step was to spray the model with light coats of primer, till the rib detail was level with the masking tape. I then removed the masking tape and lightly polished the ribs till I got the effect wing rib tape. Next I added the aileron hinges using plastic rod, glued the ailerons and the landing skis back on the wing using slow setting Gel Super Glue.  Now the model was ready for painting.

    I sprayed the base color Tamiya gloss red using a Badger dual action airbrush. I waited for a week to let the gloss red dry fully but still had problems and so I waited another week. Anyone else have any luck in spraying Tamiya gloss paint? If so, how about some tips. After 14 days I then over coated the Tamiya base color with a light dusting of satin floor varnish.  I then applied washes to bring out the panel lines and started final assembly of the model. 

    Started final construction by rigging the landing skis using stretched sprue and H.O. scale lifting eyes. I then added a Squadron canopy and Bare Metal foiled the frame work. Scratched built the OP-1 optical gun sight and gun barrels using plastic tubing, wire and plastic rod . Using one of the engines from Monogram's JU-52, I modified the radial engine, crankcase grill cover and prop, to represent the SRG-1820. I then used a cut down sewing needle to represent the two pronged pitot tube.

    The model was almost done. I added the scratched built instrument venturi tube and the aircraft running lights using items from CMK 1/72nd running light lenses. I then started polishing the aircraft to highlight the different panel  effects between metal, plywood and fabric. I then made a base using a piece of teak wood, which resembles ice covered asphalt, adding an old metal pilot figure and a modified Russian officer figure from ICM to add interest. I finished up the base by adding a brass tag with rub on letters and Russian parade decals.

    The completed model and base make up a surprisingly small diorama. The looks of the TsKB-12bis are definitely Soviet Era Russian. I enjoyed building this little model and it makes a wonderful addition to my collection. I hope you enjoy the model and thanks for taking time to read the review. You can contact me at Emilio.Diaz@ispat.com. if you have any questions or comments.