#031 Polikarpov/I-153
Building the Polikarpov I-153 as used by the Guomindang Air Force - ICM 1:72 kit 72076
Notes
The Polikarpov I-153 Chaika (Чайка, Seagull) was an advanced version of the I-15 with retractable undercarriage. Some 93 craft were delivered for use by China’s Guomindang Air Force 中華民國空軍 in the second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) where they proved quite a match for the Nakajima Ki-27 Nate.
The Kit
This is my first ICM kit, and proved a nice quick 1:72 holiday build. I was pretty impressed with the details and fit. The plastic is a little on the soft side, but it doesn’t detract from the kit - just need to be very careful with tools!
| [I-153 WWII China Guomindang AF Fighter, ICM | No. 72076 | 1:72](https://icm.com.ua/aviation/i-153-2/) |
Scheme
I-153 China Guomindang AF, 1940
| Reference | Colour | Tamiya | Paint Used | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priming | Vallejo 74.602 Black | |||
| A | Flat Black | XF1 | 70.950 Black | tires |
| B | Olive Green | XF62 | 70.893 US Dark Green | upper body |
| C | Flat Light Blue | XF23 | 70.907 Pale Grey Blue + 70.839 Ultramarine + 70.953 Flat Yellow, approx 6:2:1 | lower body |
| D | Aluminium | XF16 | Humbrol 56 | prop, cockpit cage |
| E | Light Grey | XF66 | 70.990 Light Grey + 70.992 Neutral Grey 2:1 | |
| F | Steel | XF11 | Humbrol 56 | engine |
| G | Gunmetal | XF10 | Humbrol 53 | n/a |
| K | Gunship Grey | XF54 | 70.994 Dark Grey | n/a |
Construction
The cockpit has some nice details, though I discovered later that they are hardly visible in the finished model.
Parts primed in black..
