1/72 ICM I-1 (IL-400) 

by Gabriel Stern

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It is very interesting to consider how history is written. Look at this fighter from the 20's: mostly all metal, monoplane, and provided with a (then) powerful engine. I didn't hear from this one very much, neither from the four-engine, WW1 Illya Mourometz, although for sure they represented advanced technology and design for its time. Like many remarkable planes from several countries, they seemed to be somewhat ignored by the ones who decide how things should be seen.
   Having built the company's TB-3, and compared to it, this little Russian fighter is like an olive lying on the vast surface of a pizza. The exterior detail is superb, there are few parts and the fit is mostly good. It has a mild interior representation and one version is catered for.

   I wonder about ICM's insistence in multiplying the count of parts, specially where it is not necessary. In this case the wing has a -welcome- "spar" that goes through the fuselage, four "skin" panels on each side and separated trailing edges. These include the ailerons, but the other, inner sections, should be the seamless continuation of the wing. Out with the putty and the patience. Oh, those tiny corrugations!

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   A few parts (wing tip skids and side handles) are to be provided by the modeler. Nothing scary, though. White spray-can plastic primer, black spray-can plastic paint and ready for the -thanks heaven- just two-tone metal exterior. The external radiators -good detail here- were added later, as were the tail skid, wheels, propeller and spinner. Don't glue the front lower fuselage radiator until after you deal with the propeller and its retainer, with all painting done. Then add the radiator part, closing the fuselage.
A quickie to enjoy.
Gabriel 

Photos and text © by Gabriel Stern