1:48 I-153 Chaika

Photo-Etched Detail Set for the I-153 Chaika, 1:48 Scale

A photo-etched set for a model of the Soviet fighter biplane I-153 in 1:48 scale. This is not a kit, but an accessory for one. Thin metal sheet carries details that cannot be molded in plastic, since at this scale they would come out disproportionately thick.

The Real Subject

The I-153 belonged to the last generation of fighter biplanes. It got its nickname Chaika, meaning gull, from its upper wing, which bent downward at the root toward the fuselage, giving the pilot a clearer view forward and upward. Its landing gear was also unusual: unlike most biplanes, it retracted into the fuselage, so the aircraft was pushing toward speeds the biplane layout could no longer handle. Modelers are drawn precisely to this tension between an old concept and the effort to keep pace.

Building and Painting Tips

• Cut the parts from the fret with a sharp blade on a hard surface, not by snapping them off.
• Make bends along the part's full width using a bending tool or flat-jawed tweezers.
• Degrease the metal before gluing and painting, or neither the joint nor the paint will hold.
• Glue with cyanoacrylate applied in a minimal amount with the tip of a toothpick.
• On a biplane, work with the photo-etch before fitting the upper wing, or you won't be able to reach the parts.

Who the Set Is For

For builders of interwar and early-war Soviet aircraft in 1:48 scale for whom the box contents aren't detailed enough. Working with photo-etch calls for tweezers, a sharp blade, and a steady hand, but the reward is a noticeably finer result. The manufacturer's included instructions give the set's scope and the assignment of individual parts.

The package contains only the photo-etched parts. The model, paints, and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.