Sovietwarplanes

Hi,
here I started work on the Polikarpov I-185 prototype with the M-82 engine:
(http://modelforum.cz/download/file.php?id=1350780)

Here is original:
(http://modelforum.cz/download/file.php?id=1350779)
It was produced in june 1941 and tested during winter 1942. So is should have red star on the fuselage and the tail. Seems the tip of the botom right arm of the red star is visible on the fuselage.
Regards,
   66misos

Hi Misos,
imho, this is one of the of the most beautiful Soviet fighters.
About the profile, I see something unconvincing in the tail's profile; it is too curved on its front if compared to the photo; the rear edge of the rudder should bend a bit forward in its lower part. The spinner looks a bit more conical too. Besides the thing under the windshield shouldn't be thumbnail-shaped because i see the strut on the opposite side.
Regards
Massimo

Hi Massimo,
Thank you gor comment. The profile is based on the line drawing I have found on the web. I will check that tail.
However, I do not understand what you mean by
Plus I am not sure whether my propeller has the correct rotation, or should be opposite.
Regards,
   66misos

Hi Misos,
the rotation is opposite.
You have to check what is there under the windshield. I think to see the vertical frame of the windshield through a part theat you have drawn as solid grey. It is necessary to have a look to closer photos, maybe from inside, to understand how the thing should really be.
Regards
Massimo

Hi Massimo,
I have found these pictures of the I-185 cockpit and propeller:

(http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/fww2/i185/i185-10.jpg)

(http://pre08.deviantart.net/4e62/th/pre/f/2015/265/4/8/i_185__m_71____cockpit_by_k4nk4n-d9aignr.png)

Propeller:
(http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/fww2/i185/i185-9.jpg)

(http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/fww2/i185/i185-8.jpg)

It is clear now.

Regards,
      66misos

Hi Misos,
are you sure that the wing was metallic? I thought that it was wooden as on MiG-3.
Regards
Massimo

Hi Massimo,
according to the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polikarpov_I-185 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polikarpov_I-185):
The wing had a NACA-230 profile and was skinned in duralumin. Pneumatically powered split flaps and leading edge slats were fitted. The outer wing panels had 3° of dihedral. The fabric-covered control surfaces were framed in duralumin.

Also interesting info:
...combat trials began in November 1942...three aircraft were assigned to the 728th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 3rd Air Army of the Kalinin Front and were tightly controlled to prevent the loss of the prototypes...all sorties had to be flown over Soviet-controlled territory and required the express permission of the 3rd Air Army staff to fly. Pilots' reports were quite enthusiastic;
...the 728 iap commander, Captain Vasilyaka wrote: "The I-185 outclasses both Soviet and foreign aircraft in level speed. It performs aerobatic maneuvers easily, rapidly and vigorously. The I-185 is the best current fighter from the point of control simplicity, speed, maneuverability (especially in climb), armament and survivability."

Regards,
   66misos

Hi,
is WIP after some corrections:
(http://modelforum.cz/download/file.php?id=1350988)
Regards,
   66misos

Hi Misos,
pity that it wasn't serially produced as a premium fighter.
About the profile, I still think that the spinner is a bit too curved.
Regards
Massimo

Hi Massimo,
I again reworked spinner and front part of the cowling according to the overlayed photo.

EDIT: Corrected picture in my post below.

Regards,
   66misos

Hi Misos,
the profile of the cowling looks asymmetrical in curvature. are you sure of this?
Regards
Massimo

Hi Massimo,
I am not sure. But it is made acoording to the photo and this line drawing from http://www.airpages.ru/eng/ru/i180photo.shtml (http://www.airpages.ru/eng/ru/i180photo.shtml)
Niether photo nor line drawing is very sharp when enlarged to the size of my profile, but when overlapped in PS in both cases the center line of the propeller is a bit bellow the centerline of the fuselage. ??? To be honest I have found also another line drawings but they all differ...
So I let it be as it is.
Regards,
   66misos

Hi Massimo,
I have found another line drawing showing also internal structure and engine and there was no appaprent reason why not to be symetrical. So despite my previous decission I reworked it again and made it sysetrical.
Here it is:
(http://modelforum.cz/download/file.php?id=1351670)
Thank you for comments and help.
Regards,
   66misos

Hi Misos,
good work as usual.
Regards
Massimo

waow! same thing that with the I-180
congratulations!
Xan

Had a look about,  and a search revealed I'd asked /commented on a build on Britmodeller on colours
https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234959047-polikarpov-i-185-m-71-ark-models-148/ (https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234959047-polikarpov-i-185-m-71-ark-models-148/)

Is there an idea what the colours are, AII Blue/AII Green or the A-18f/A-19f paints?
http://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/colors/1940-1941/1940-41.html (http://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/colors/1940-1941/1940-41.html)

thsnk you
Troy

Hi Troy,
I would go with AII green and blue. The colors are glossy and well contrasting. I can't see difference in shade between metallic ad wooden parts.
Regards
Massimo