Kopro 1/72 Polikarpov Po-2

First flew in February 1928 and over 40,000 examples of the Polikarpov U-2 and its variants were built making it the world’s most prolific aeroplane type ever. Up to the early 90s the type still remained little known even with its later designation Po-2. The U-2 was designed as a simple trainer with engines in the power range 100 to 150hp., for civil and military operators. The sturdy biplane proved remarkably successful and adoptable, and a number of pre-war trainer, ambulance and light transport variants were produced. During WWII the U-2 was developed into U-2VS night harassment or nuisance raider type to keep the Germans from resting. This proved so effective that the Germans adopted similar a similar concept using their own primary trainers.. The U-2 ANK was a night observation counterpart to the U-2VS. The Po-2 CSS, 13 produced in Poland is exhibited at the Air Exhibition of the military museum at Kbely. Another Po-2 is in active service at the Shuttleworth Trust in Begelswade, Cambs UK.

This is a reissue of the Po-2, the only difference being that the decal options in previous issue had 2 Russian and one Czech AF decals. The kit comprises of 59 parts including two clear crescent shaped windshields. The parts are somewhat detailed with the minimum of flash that is easy to clean. Parts cater for cockpit interior, wing struts, control links on fuselage sides and wings. The beauty of this prolific biplane comes out when full rigging and control wires are added where the box art illustration provides a good reference.

 The construction of the Po-2 starts with assembly of cockpit interiors consisting of rudder pedals, control columns, Instrument panels, crew seats and adding seat straps which were made from linen colored masking tape cut into small narrow strips. The instrument panel is engraved and was easy to paint instruments using sharp pointed match stick which is dipped gently in black…white paint and the paint transferred to dial circular gauges. All interiors were painted and fuselage closed. The lower wings and tail lanes added followed by wing struts on which was glued the wings. When these were perfectly aligned the fuselage struts were then fixed in place, which completely secured the biplane wing setup. The struts were of correct length and section and therefore required no trimming of any sort. The windshields appear to be on the thick side and dipping in Klear made them look more realistic in spite of all. The wing guards in shape of an inverted arch were replaced with metal wire bent to shape and super glued under each of outer wings.

 Detailing the Po-2 involved utilizing the Pavla Models resin detail set. This consisted of a far more detailed radial piston engine, engine front guard the type fitted to U-2s operating in sub zero environment; an accurate propeller; a set of skis, accurate bombs and racks, and. two different types of machine guns. My kit is represented as a civil registered version CCCP-1299 that I picked from a photo. Before I added the skis I tackled the rigging stage. I drilled tiny holes in spots where the rigging appears to fit over the wings and literally sewed the rigging using invisible nylon thread. I much prefer this method to rigging made out of the steel wire lengths glued with white glue as it guarantees everlasting strong bond of wings. This method I have managed a number of times. The most essential step in the process is to drill a shallow reservoir in form of a countersunk at every hole drilled whereby a tiny amount of super glue will be retained to secure the thread which will not loosen when level sanding. A pitot tube made from steel wire was glued to the outer strut on starboard wing. Link brackets at different places: rudder, wing control surfaces were also added at this stage and control lines connected using nylon thread. Finally the engine with exhaust pipes put in place, engine cover and prop both resin were also added. The wheel shaft was replaced with a thinner metal one and the skis connected. The latter had forward and rear tie wire glued in one position of skis when aircraft is parked. A set of resin wheels were added to a previously built Po-2 completed in Russian markings and an accurate machine gun was also added to the rear seat position.

 An assortment of white lettering decals came from spares decal box. Only the upper port wing registration CCCP was hand painted in white over an otherwise light gray lettering of correct size. All upper surfaces were olive green and lower in pale blue. Seats were brown and straps linen. Cockpit interior was light grey and light linen. Instrument panel was black with white dials.

 I was encouraged to build this second Po-2 after the availability of the Pavla Po-2 resin set which I made in arctic format and I definitely recommend the detail set to those who thrive on biplanes and enjoy fine detailing.

Ref: scale plans in Scale Aircraft Modeling Vol 18 No3 May 1996 issue.

Carmel J. Attard

July 2012

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