Pavla 1/72 Borovkov-Frolov I-207/3
KIT #: | ? |
PRICE: | $ |
DECALS: | Yes |
REVIEWER: | Carmel J. Attard |
NOTES: |
HISTORY |
In 1937 two members of the
Polikarpov Design Bureau, designers Aleksei Borovkov and Lliya Florov
submitted in detail project of an experimental aircraft. The intention
was to combine manoeuvrability and high controllability of biplanes with
high speed of aeroplanes.
The project involved a small dimension aircraft with a pair of
cantilever wings powered by the M-85, a 14-cylinder
radial engine. The
single seat aircraft made its maiden flight on
THE KIT |
Probably one of the least
popular aircraft subjects for plastic kit modelers is found in the wide range
of Pavla models. This is the Borovkov-Florov F207/3. A very clear well
illustrated instructions come with the model. A simple kit to put together
and should not take more than a couple of hours at the most of construction
time for complete assembly. This is a short run kit, which lacks guiding
dowels and of thick injected plastic. Model consists of 22 gray plastic
parts plus two cumbersome bomb items. There are also resin detail parts for
the cockpit and engine cowling. Cockpit detail is sufficient but then it is
so small a space that the existing and any additional detail could be hidden
once the fuselage is closed. The modeller is provided with cockpit floor, a
seat, control stick, instrument panel with engraved gauges. These are all
reasonably accurately represented. Red star decals and a single digit tail
number from a choice of five are the only decals that come with the kit.
CONSTRUCTION |
COLORS & MARKINGS |
Kit was finished in the Russian color scheme of dark green upper and blue grey undersides using Modelmaster brand. Propeller was silver. Interior was medium grey with leather brown around the edge of the open cockpit. Black instrument panel, buff seat belts and light brown head cushion.
CONCLUSIONS |
Except for minor annoyances with a couple of pinholes on the resin cowling I really enjoyed this project. The resin parts are otherwise cleanly cast and well engraved. The finished model fully captures the stubby fuselage with small wingspans, which are the main salient features of the I-207. This is another must for those keen on Russian early aircraft designs and one wonders what it was like to fly I this type of Russian aircraft design.
December 2012
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