I-16 type 5 in 1/72 and 1/48 - Clear Prop! Models

[John Thompson]

Clear Prop! will release an I-16 type 5 sometime this year. In fact, it must be close to being released, because test shot images are already appearing; here's the only one I've seen so far:

https://i.ibb.co/Yyng7rN/95e68f2d7c28b480874e26353de277fe-0-cr-jpg-3511343815efa1f78db4188b8ec21fff.jpg

 Looks excellent - it's a long-overdue replacement for the old Amodel kit, which until now has been the only credible type 5, in spite of its flaws. I'm really curious to see how the kit is designed - yes, I know - very poor form to criticize with no more information than one test shot image, but that joint line between the wing panel and the fuselage will need very careful filling to eliminate it - there was no panel line there on the real thing.

John

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi John,
this is interesting. Such a model would be historically very important, and a good base for many conversions.
Are there other images of the test shots?
Massimo

[K.Ingraham]

I sure hope that there actually will be a -5 in 48th! I've got all the Eduard I-16 variants and a two-seat conversion from AML. A '5' will really be the icing on the cake.

[Massimo Tessitori]

I think that there is a kit from Academy, but it is a reboxing of an older and approximative kit from Hobbycraft.

[John Thompson]

Hi Massimo; I haven't seen any more test shots, but have a look at this CAD-based video. It seems like Clear Prop! have already provided several conversion options:
https://youtu.be/vR2zxbzcecg

John

[Massimo Tessitori]

Very interesting. A basic Type 5 model 1937, one with skis and new windshield, one with M-25V. But, I would expect to find rocket rails for the use as assault plane, it was no longer used as af fighter in 1941-42.
Regards
Massimo

[learstang]

Yes, it is nice to see someone come out with a new-mould I-16 tip 5. That's one I shall no doubt pick up.

Regards,

Jason

[John Thompson]

New image of parts sets:




John

[Massimo Tessitori]

Very interesting, it looks very well made. But why two pairs of upper wing surfaces? I can't see differences in the photo of the sprues.
Regards
Massimo

[John Thompson]

I think the mold for the upper wing sprues produces two sets at one time; in other words, parts for two kits at once, and the sprue is then cut into two pieces after it comes out of the mold. Note the location of the Clear Prop! logo and the sprue identification letter "C" on the two halves, the one on the right, correctly oriented; the one on the left, upside down.

John

[Massimo Tessitori]

Pity that the wings and wheels of Type 1936 are not previded as option.

Regards
Massimo

[ChristianK]

These upper wing halves are actually two different types. Look at the wing tips. Two of them have some rectangular structure there. Wonder what these are  

Cheers,
Christian

[John Thompson]

Good point, but it appears to me that that feature is only visible on the right wing, not the left; also, I would expect that a different set of wings would have a different sprue letter designation - both of these are "C". I hope we'll soon have the actual kit available for inspection!

John

[John Thompson]

I'm still curious about the rectangular structure that ChristianK pointed out. It's visible in the image I linked in the first post in this thread. I don't see it in Massimo's type 5 drawings or the ones in Maslov's I-16 book, but the type 4 has a panel on the right wingtip which I believe is a flare launcher. Maybe the panel on the CP kit's wingtip is also related to flare launching? I haven't been able to find images of the wingtips on any real Type 5's - Operation Barbarossa photos weren't taken with modelbuilders in mind!

Also on the subject of wing parts - as Massimo pointed out, the kit should include the early wing structure with 11 ribs as well as the later one with 22 ribs; the parts images so far show only 22-rib wings. Maybe I'm overstating something that is obvious to everyone else, but there must be another parts sprue we haven't seen yet - both of the box art images (Spanish and Chinese) show aircraft with the early 11-rib wings.

John

[ChristianK]

I haven't been able to find images of the wingtips on any real Type 5's - Operation Barbarossa photos weren't taken with modelbuilders in mind!

John, here are the photos from my collection which have the best view of the starboard wing upperside of a Type 5. Both look "normal" to me, even though it is a little hard to see on the second one. (You can click on them to view a larger version).




Cheers,
Christian