I-17 Amodel kit

Building the Amodel kit

last update May 12, 2002

I-17 index	TsKB-15	TsKB-19	TsKB-19bis	VVS Research main page
technical details	Building the Amodel Kit	converting into TsKB-19	Photos of built models	VVS Modelling Main Page

The Ukrainian firm A-Model makes a short-run kit of the first prototype TsKB-15.
It is one of the first kits of this firm, so we have not to expect the highest quality.
The drawing on the box is good, and is a reliable reference.
The kit is made in light grey plastic, with partially recessed (fuselage, wing lower face) and partially engraved (wing upper face) panels.
The shape seems to reflect well the better drawings available on the subject, while the kit is under-sized by 2% both in length and in span in comparison with data in our possession. I suggest not to worry about such a small discrepancy.

The Amodel kit gives problems due to the bad fit of some pieces. A careful job of sanding and filling is necessary. Here we see a detail of the gaps filled with plasticard strips.
The reproduction of the fabric covered panels (tail, part of the wings) is not good and should be improved.

photos from Axel Fischer

We have to paint (or drill and close with transparencies) two small windows (to give daylight to the instrument panel) in front of the canopy .
The windshield looks not to be perfectly clear and flat; it should be sanded with a very fine sandpaper and then polished, or vacuformed. The framing has to be painted silver.
Many details and struts should be added into the cockpit, at least if the canopy is slid forward.
The interior of the cockpit is believed to be a very light grey (AE-9?), with a dark seat with light belts.
The headrest cushion has to be scratchbuilt.
There should be a Venturi tube on the right fuselage side.

The upper profile of the rear fuselage should be straighter, so one could correct it with filler.
The tail horizontal planes are a bit too pointed; they could be corrected by extending the profile or by replacing them with the modified pieces off of an I-16.
Hinges should be added on the movable surfaces; I suggest to do them with pieces of painted paper, glued after painting the model.
A navigation light should be added on the rudder.
Transparent position lights should be added on the wingtips, or at least painted on.

photos from Axel Fischer

There should be a starter connecting tooth protruding from the spinner, where the kit has only an hole.
The undercarriage legs are molded solidly to the doors; this is not satisfying and requires a rebuilding or a remodeling of these pieces, in consideration of their being highly visible on the completed model.
The spinner is too conical, it should be rounded with putty or replaced; there should be not any large gap between the new spinner and blades, because the real propeller has fixed pitch.
The propeller is polished aluminum, with rear blades face partially dark blue.

The wheels are too flat; their visible face should be conical, as on the wheels of an I-16.
The undercarriage bays are believed to be closed on the sides and rounded, as on the I-16.
The undercarriage interiors are believed to be painted very light grey, but none photo is available.
The undercarriage retraction wires, as on I-16, should be added. They should be visible from wheel pins to wheels bays center.

photos from Axel Fischer

The wing-fuselage joint under the fuselage (piece B3) looks wrong; drawings show visible intersection lines, not a flat surface. Photos of the part to confirm this are not available. This is a difficult remodeling job to do, so I suggest to leave it unmodified.

The oil radiator under the nose should be drilled behind and forward, and a radiator made with mesh or engraved aluminum paper (from chocolate or processed cheese packaging) fitted in.
The retractable water radiator bath is represented only as a tracing on the fuselage underside, but this can be sufficient.
Some shrink holes under the wing should be filled.
Some panels and slots should be engraved on the engine cowling.

The first prototype is known to have worn 2 configurations:

gloss brownish red overall, with gloss dark blue nose (the configuration shown on the kit box) and silver canopy struts;

drawings adapted from Letectvi Kosmonautika

the same colors, but with fixed undercarriage, closed bays, removed guns and gunsight for Chkalow Museum exposition. The wheels installed for museal exposition looks different from those originally installed (visible on photos, and similar to the thin origial ones).

drawings adapted from Letectvi Kosmonautika

I-17 index	TsKB-15	TsKB-19	TsKB-19bis	VVS Research main page
technical details	Building the Amodel Kit	converting into TsKB-19	Photos of built models	VVS Modelling Main Page