ICM Polikarpov I-153 "Chaika"

[Haggis]

Hello everyone, here is my latest completion, ICM's lovely I-153, my first "modern" ICM kit (I built the 1:72 Bf-109E when it cam out Donkey's years ago)!

 

I used Eduard's seat harness, AIMS rigging set, Quickboost exhausts and bomb racks, and a Vector resin front end replacement.  This is beautifully detailed but it's too bit so the cowlings don't fit, I ended up just using the propeller and oil cooler from the set which is a bit of a shame.  Paint is Tamiya, XF-23 with a touch of Medium Sea Grey for the underside AMT-7, a 40/40/20 mix of XF-67 NATO Green, XF-81 RAF Dark Green and XF-4 Yellow Green for the AMT-4 Green, the AMT-6 Black was straight XF-69 NATO Black.  All markings were sprayed, no stencils for this one!  Weathering was my usual paint fading during base coat application, then a heavy filter of complimentary tones, dust and grime using oils.

 

I must say, that if you've ever fancied a bi-plane but have been intimidated by the rigging and complicated airframe, then this is a great first step.  I built the airframe entirely then painted it rather painting in sub assemblies, and the rigging is not too much and very straight forward, if you drill the holes as outlined in the AIMS instructions using the steel etched set is a breeze.  And in 1:32 it's not too fiddly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 26 by Haggis

[dutik]

Great job!  

 

I wonder how many of these aircraft touched the ground with the wings given the narrow UC gauge...

Really nice model!

 

Regards

- dutik

[Martinnfb]

Beautiful build, clean and crisp with the right amount of weathering.

 

Cheers

Martin

[MikeC]

Nicely done Jamie.  

I feel quite inspired to dig mine out of the stash.  An interesting little aeroplane that imo deserves a place with the Gladiator and B.534 in representing the peak of biplane development (Stand fast Pitts Specials!)

[Greif8]

Very skilled and beautiful build Jamie!  Your paint fading really stands out nicely.

 

Ernest

[Cicchino]

Beautiful build.

 

I am always envious of modelers who can pull off biplanes successfully as you have so neatly done. 

 

When the time comes (and it inevitably has to) to build my first biplane, I think this kit may be a candidate.

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

John

[LSP_Ray]

On 5/26/2026 at 12:25 AM, Haggis said:

Hello everyone, here is my latest completion, ICM's lovely I-153, my first "modern" ICM kit (I built the 1:72 Bf-109E when it cam out Donkey's years ago)!

 

I used Eduard's seat harness, AIMS rigging set, Quickboost exhausts and bomb racks, and a Vector resin front end replacement.  This is beautifully detailed but it's too bit so the cowlings don't fit, I ended up just using the propeller and oil cooler from the set which is a bit of a shame.  Paint is Tamiya, XF-23 with a touch of Medium Sea Grey for the underside AMT-7, a 40/40/20 mix of XF-67 NATO Green, XF-81 RAF Dark Green and XF-4 Yellow Green for the AMT-4 Green, the AMT-6 Black was straight XF-69 NATO Black.  All markings were sprayed, no stencils for this one!  Weathering was my usual paint fading during base coat application, then a heavy filter of complimentary tones, dust and grime using oils.

 

I must say, that if you've ever fancied a bi-plane but have been intimidated by the rigging and complicated airframe, then this is a great first step.  I built the airframe entirely then painted it rather painting in sub assemblies, and the rigging is not too much and very straight forward, if you drill the holes as outlined in the AIMS instructions using the steel etched set is a breeze.  And in 1:32 it's not too fiddly.

 

 

On 5/26/2026 at 12:25 AM, Haggis said:

Hello everyone, here is my latest completion, ICM's lovely I-153, my first "modern" ICM kit (I built the 1:72 Bf-109E when it cam out Donkey's years ago)!

 

I used Eduard's seat harness, AIMS rigging set, Quickboost exhausts and bomb racks, and a Vector resin front end replacement.  This is beautifully detailed but it's too bit so the cowlings don't fit, I ended up just using the propeller and oil cooler from the set which is a bit of a shame.  Paint is Tamiya, XF-23 with a touch of Medium Sea Grey for the underside AMT-7, a 40/40/20 mix of XF-67 NATO Green, XF-81 RAF Dark Green and XF-4 Yellow Green for the AMT-4 Green, the AMT-6 Black was straight XF-69 NATO Black.  All markings were sprayed, no stencils for this one!  Weathering was my usual paint fading during base coat application, then a heavy filter of complimentary tones, dust and grime using oils.

 

I must say, that if you've ever fancied a bi-plane but have been intimidated by the rigging and complicated airframe, then this is a great first step.  I built the airframe entirely then painted it rather painting in sub assemblies, and the rigging is not too much and very straight forward, if you drill the holes as outlined in the AIMS instructions using the steel etched set is a breeze.  And in 1:32 it's not too fiddly.

 

Great job!

May I post it on the website?

[Mistral]

That's a beautifully built model. Cute little aircraft too 👏 . Love it !