Building the Amodel kit
last update May 12, 2002
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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.

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 first prototype is known to have worn 2 configurations:

drawings adapted from Letectvi Kosmonautika

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