SPA Modeler

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Thu Jan 08, 2026 10:40 am. And this one looks to be something of a bridge between their biplane and monoplane types.

Thanks for the encouraging words. And yes, it was definitely a transitional design. The last variant did not have the lower wing! That version was also used for the Zveno airborne aircraft carrier experiment. They where attached to a TB-3 bomber.

I have been doing some research and I want to make it in the striking colours of Ivan Ulyanovich Pavlov. He was a WWI veteran and Russian Civil war flying ace. Starting with his I-4, all aircraft flown by Pavlov were painted silver, with red chassis, rudder and wing struts, a red banner with a 'Za V. K. P. (b)!' (for the A. C. (b) P. - All-union Communist (bolshevik) Party) and Pavlov's personal emblem on the rudder - a bent arrow, the former emblem of the 1-st Airplane squad during the Civil war. I already have an I-5 in those colours so I think this wil make a nice companion.


I found different profiles of this aircraft. Most important difference is the cilinder covers of the engine. The kit has the closed one as the profile has flying to the left. However, I found one photo of the actual aircraft and it has the covers removed (or maybe they where never there). So beside the spoked wheels I also got those engine covers to think about. It is a question of ease of building versus historical accuracy.

I am considering three options:
1) use the closed covers: easy way out
2) buy aftermarket spoked wheels: a nice balance between ease and accuracy
3) scratchbuild them “Harry Woodman” style: takes a lot of time, difficult but cheap


I am leaning towards option 2, I just have to find time to go to the Aviationmegastore. I used to work real close to it but not anymore.

Great looking sesquiplane. Covers on would look fine I'd say but those wire wheels would be quite the addition.

BorgR3mc0 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:35 am
3) scratchbuild them “Harry Woodman” style: takes a lot of time, difficult but cheap

I’ve highlighted this option because I had no idea that this resource existed and it’s even available to read online!! Thank you, Remco.

Looks fun. Not a bad looking little plane.

Option 2 sounds the best bet Borg.

speedgraflex wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 12:58 pm

BorgR3mc0 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:35 am
3) scratchbuild them “Harry Woodman” style: takes a lot of time, difficult but cheap

I’ve highlighted this option because I had no idea that this resource existed and it’s even available to read online!! Thank you, Remco.

It is a great book. I don’t have a physical copy of it but it is in my wish list. I do have two books by John Alcorn (Scratchbuild! And Master scratchbuilders) and two of Chris Ellis (How to go plastic modelling and How to go advanced plastic modelling). Especially that last one was an eye opener for me since it was my first book on scale modelling (it was in the pre Internet days).

Anyway, I will probably go for option 2, best result guaranteed…
But that doesn’t resolve the engine cover. I made a ANT-5 before and still had the I-4 engine covers. So with that possible fallback scenario I feel brave enough to start hacking and slashing into the plastic to make them look like the pictures and scale drawings. I also dove into my spare parts (about 100 kits I build as a kid without painting them, don’t ask) for some cilinders. I think those of the Ju-52 will make the best donor parts. It is going to be a bit of a “pig with lipstick” and not entirely accurate. However I do feel it will look better then without alterations.

(Edited, in the original version I called myself a kit instead of a kid…)

BorgR3mc0 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 12, 2026 3:29 pmI will probably go for option 2, best result guaranteed…
But that doesn’t resolve the engine cover. I made a ANT-5 before and still had the I-4 engine covers. So with that possible fallback scenario I feel brave enough to start hacking and slashing into the plastic to make them look like the pictures and scale drawings. I also dove into my spare parts (about 100 kits I build as a kit without painting them, don’t ask) for some cilinders. I think those of the Ju-52 will make the best donor parts. It is going to be a bit of a “pig with lipstick” and not entirely accurate. However I do feel it will look better then without alterations.

From what I see here, that decision will be a great improvement and look much closer to the actual aircraft!