When the tiny I-16 flew for the the first time in December 1933, it was far ahead of any other fighter design in the world, featuring retractable landing gear, a cantilever wing and variable pitch propeller. When the Spanish Civil War broke out, almost 500 were put into service with the Republicans, surprising the enemy with outstanding manoeuvrability, firepower and rate of climb, leading to the opposition nickname Rata(Rat) and friendly name Mosca(Fly).

When the Germans invaded Russia in June 1941, the I-16 was still Russia's most impotant fighter and in spite of being obsolete, well over half of the 7,000 built were flown in action until 1943.

• Fully engraved panel lines.
• Detailed landing gear & engine compartment.
• Includes markings for soviet union & Spanish aircraft.