Polikarpov I-15 Chato "Guerra Civil en Espana"

During the 1920 and 30s, fighter planes by N.N. the 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 plan 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 a further 237 planed under the license. The Chaikas (or Huts), as the l-15 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 late 1940s. The USSR used the planes until the beginning of World War II.

Models & Model Kits are supplied unpainted and unassembled unless otherwise noted.