1:48 Bi-1

The real subject

The BI-1 was a Soviet fighter powered by a liquid-propellant rocket engine. It was not created for air combat but for a steep climb and a brief strike against bombers. During the war the design was built quickly and largely of wood, the dimensions of the machine remained very small, and the armament was a pair of twenty millimeter cannon in the nose. The first flight with the engine running took place in 1942. Flight time was counted in minutes, because the supply of propellant lasted only briefly, and the whole program was dogged by accidents, one of which cost the test pilot his life.

What to expect from the model

The kit in 1:48 scale represents a tiny aircraft, so the finished model is smaller than is usual for machines of this period. Cut the parts from the sprue a little away from the part and sand the rest down, dry-fit the joints and glue in small steps. The cockpit and the landing gear bays are clearly visible on a model this small, so it pays to give them time before the fuselage is closed up.

Building and painting tips

A wooden structure with a smooth varnished surface means that there is no point overdoing the emphasis on panel lines. Keep to muted green tones with a lighter underside and choose restrained wear. Darken the gun muzzles and the exit of the rocket engine; those are exactly the places that got dirtiest on the real machine.

Who it is for

For modelers who collect early rocket-powered and experimental aircraft, and for anyone looking for an unconventional subject for a display case. The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted; paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.