1. Berkut's 1/72nd scale I-4 "Soviet Plane" kit allows both the I-4Z and the ANT-5 to be built. The kit has appeared in the West under various Manufacturer's names. ('Berkut' means Hawk.)
2. This model was purchased as a gift by a friend in Kazakhstan. It does not appear as if the name 'Berkut' is a manufacturer that trades outside the borders of the former Soviet Union.
3. The I-4 is a 1920's/30's vintage Russian design about which little seems to have appeared in print in the West. The I-4Z appears to be a version used as a parasite fighter in early experiments.
4. The model is very small and moulded in very soft grey plastic in the manner of a limited-run kit. Alternative parts for the other versions share the same part number so be careful!
5. Construction starts by creating a cockpit more-or-less from scratch. Little of the kit supplied cockpit is of much use but I did start with the basic floor-pan which I extended beyond the pedals.
6. Having no references whatsoever (that show this aircraft in any detail) - let alone the cockpit, then I used educated guesses about the internal layout.
7. The interior was cobbled together around a scratch-built seat and various parts made from Evergreen or items from the spares box.
8. The interior was brush-painted with Humbrol 56 and then washed with Tamiya Smoke. Here the Cockpit floor rests on a bed of blue-tak.
9. This model was started in the middle of November. Within a week the fuselage was joined up. An airbrush would only be used on the outside.
10. Pictures taken in February 2006 showing the clean up of the fuselage and final assembly.
11. Upper view of the fuselage after clean up.
12. Another view of the fuselage during assembly.
13. Underside of the tail section showing the replacement struts.
14. In this picture the undercarriage and engine have been added.
15. Close up of the cockpit showing the scratchbuilt head-rest.
16. Underside clean-up. This view also shows the bomb racks. The BluTak on the tail was a temporary support whilst the tail-skid was glued in place.
17. After the wing was added the result sits (on top of my filing cabinet).
18. Close up of the new front struts supporting the wing. The main struts are from the kit.
19. Pictured in April; White was airbrushed on then masked off before the underside blue and upper green was airbrushed on. No decals are to be used...
20. Here we see the masking used for the Soviet Red Stars. The white "2" was also masked. A fine brush was used to touch up the resulting markings.
21. The new Iwata Eclipse was used to add some subtle weathering. Note the propeller painted wood-effect.
22. Viewed after the acrylic gloss was applied before the weathering white spirit washes were applied.
23. These photo's were taken in May 2006 and show the model being completed. Here we see exhaust staining added by airbrush.
24. There is little obvious difference from the earlier photo's but the model has been varnished by this point with its final coat.
25. The only thing left to do is to remove the masking and mount the propeller....
26. ...which is what has happened by this point of the photo's This is the completed model ready for its final bow.
27. The 'wooden' prop looks good. Look closely at the cockpit and you can see the windshield made from tiny pieces of acetate.
28. The finished model needs a suitable base in order to show its natural environment.
29. And here is such a base... The base has not been finished yet as it has not been polished and the 'grass' added.
30. Another close-up of the model dedicated to the lady who bought it for us - Natasha from Almaty in Kazakhstan.
31. The dark wood base is different from earlier projects that used bases made of stained pine. Note the wheel centers are Eduard photo-etch parts. The only after-market parts used on this build.
32. A final shot on the unfinished base. More photo's to follow. The I-4 was actually a very large aircraft for a fighter of its time.
33. Compare the finished model to this artwork and the photo upon which it was based (right). This artwork is available from the web and is credited to Andrey Solodov.
34. The aircraft of commander of Moscow Military District, Pavlov. Manoeuvres in 1930. Overpainted Stars and 'fast' identification stripes have been faithfully reproduced.
35. Pictures added September 2006 after the Base for this Model had been completed.
36. Here we see the Tupolev I-4 of Commander Pavlov on its base. 1930 - it is one fine summers day in Moscow.
37. Another view of that summer's day.
38. The parting shot...
39. For storage purposes the I-4 lives in this little Clingfilm covering.
40. In August 2006 this name plate was added to the Base.
