Spanish Civil War 1938-39 - 1/200 Shapeways Spanish Republican Polikarpov I-15bis

[Carl_Brisgamer]

My WGS Project #17 for 2013 is a pair of 1/200 FUD Polikarpov I-15bis biplane fighters in the colours of the Fuerzas Aéreas de la República Española. The Soviet designed and built I-15bis was a development of the original I-15 'Chato' that had served as the mainstay of the Spanish Republican fighter force since late 1936.



It reverted from the 'gull wing' of the I-15 to a more conventional biplane layout. It had a more powerful engine which improved performance (+12 kph) and was armed with four 7.62mm machine guns arranged around the engine cowl. The first examples of the I-15bis arrived in Spain in late 1938 and formed part of the Grupo Indepeniente based in Catalonia.



'CC-086' was flown by Lt. Laureano Sapina who fought with the 4 Escuadrilla de Chatos. 'CC-088' was another I-15bis with the same unit, pilot unknown.





Colours are olive upper surfaces, light blue undesides, with all national markings painted. The white letter/number decals are Microscale.






Polikarpov I-15bis unofficial stats:

Manouver Deck: ZL (367kph)
Damage Points: 14
Firepower: Short B, Long A
Climb Rate: 4
Top Altitude: 11

If you want to use these miniatures as substitutes for standard I-15s their unofficial stats are:

Polikarpov I-15 ‘Chato’
Manouver Deck: ZL (360kph)
Damage Points: 13
Firepower: Short B, Long A
Climb Rate: 3 (13.7 m/s)
Top Altitude: 12

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Another couple of right little crackeers Carl.
No! I am not venturing into a third area of flying yet, but if I were those aircraft could be my catalyst .
Rob.

[Burt]

Nice planes, if I was to extend my collection of aircraft it would be into the Spanish Civil War.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Thanks gentlemen. I have another four Spanish Civil War biplanes lacquered, primed and base-coated on the bench right now. These are two Fiat CR.32 and two Heinkel He 51 in Aviazione Legionaria and Legion Kondor colours - good opponents for the 'Chatos'. I hope to finish them before the end of June.

[gully_raker]

Very nice Carl!
I think you might be trying to challange Zoe for the most models collected here in Oz!

[Jager]

Very nice Carl!
I think you might be trying to challange Zoe for the most models collected here in Oz!

Heck, he's giving the rest of the world a run for their money. I'd be a contender, but most of mine still needs painting or re-painting.
I think Clipper is the only one here with a higher output, and he's got elves!!
Karl