Zvezda Plastic Model Kit

I-16 Polikarpov Type 5 (1/72)

This 1/72 scale I-16 Type 5 from Zvezda offers a neat, sharply moulded kit of one of the most recognisable fighters of the 1930s. Built from 76 parts, it captures the compact, stubby profile of Polikarpov’s design, with a clean breakdown that makes assembly straightforward. Surface detail is restrained and suits the scale well, and the finished model measures just 8.3cm in length, giving it that characteristic small-but-purposeful presence.

The kit includes a decal sheet with options for both Soviet service and the Spanish Civil War, allowing you to model the aircraft in two distinct historical contexts. All parts are produced from 100% new moulds, so the detail is sharp and consistent throughout. The reinforced wing layout and revised cowling of the Type 5 variant are also well represented.

• 1/72 scale plastic model kit
• 76 parts
• Length when built: approx. 8.3cm
• Includes Soviet and Spanish Civil War markings
• 100% new mouldings
• SKU: 7330

History

The Polikarpov I-16 became an icon of Soviet aviation in the 1930s and earned its designer the nickname “King of Fighters.” The Type 5 introduced a more powerful M-25 engine, a revised cowling, and later a reinforced wing structure and larger wheels. With speeds reaching around 450 km/h, the aircraft was ahead of its time and one of the world’s first mass-produced monoplane fighters with retractable landing gear.

I-16 Type 5 fighters saw action in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939, where they quickly proved their value against contemporary opponents. They later took part in conflicts with Japan and Finland and continued to serve in the early years of the Second World War. Compact, agile and historically significant, the I-16 remains one of the most influential fighters of its era.