{"product_id":"eastern-express-72218-sikorsky-s-xvi-wwi-fighter-1-72-plastic-model-aircraft-kit","title":"Eastern Express 72218 Sikorsky S-XVI WWI Fighter — 1:72 Plastic model aircraft kit","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer: Eastern Express\n\u003cbr\u003eKit number: 72218\n\u003cbr\u003eAircraft: Sikorsky S-XVI \/ S-16\n\u003cbr\u003eScale: 1:72\n\u003cbr\u003eBarcode \/ EAN: 4620748781427\n\u003cbr\u003eKit type: Injection-moulded plastic aircraft kit\n\u003cbr\u003eRelease: Catalogue-listed from 2018\n\u003cbr\u003eStatus: Discontinued \/ currently out of stock\n\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer and kit background\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEastern Express is a Russian model-kit manufacturer whose catalogue includes a large selection of Russian and Soviet aviation subjects, as well as many less-common historical aircraft. Kit 72218 was added to specialist catalogues in 2018 and is now listed as unavailable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly interesting subject because the Sikorsky S-16 was an early Russian fighter designed by Igor Sikorsky before his later career in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is a relatively small 1:72 biplane, with the simple construction typical of Eastern Express tooling of this period.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is supplied as a conventional injection-moulded plastic model and includes the principal components for the S-16:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Fuselage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Upper and lower wings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Interplane struts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Tailplane and rudder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Fixed undercarriage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine and cowling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Propeller\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Cockpit components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Pilot's position\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Machine-gun installation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Small ancillary parts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Decals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Assembly instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe catalogue lists the model at approximately 100 g packaged weight, with a box approximately 25.5 × 15.7 × 3.6 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit represents the conventional landplane fighter\/reconnaissance configuration rather than the later float- or ski-equipped adaptations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor a second-hand kit, the parts most worth checking are the thin wing struts, undercarriage and propeller, as these are the easiest components to damage or lose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBecause this is a small early biplane, adding fine rigging will make a substantial difference to the finished model.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe full-size Sikorsky S-16\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sikorsky S-16, also known as the RBVZ S-16, was a Russian single-seat biplane fighter developed by Igor Sikorsky during the First World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe prototype flew in 1915, with small-scale production beginning that same year. Approximately 35 aircraft were built.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts original purpose was particularly interesting: the S-16 was intended partly as an escort fighter for Sikorsky's much larger Ilya Muromets bombers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was therefore one of the early attempts to provide a dedicated fighter capable of accompanying heavy bomber formations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft remained in service after the Russian Revolution, with examples being operated by both Imperial Russian and Soviet forces.\n\u003cbr\u003eService and development\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe S-16 was powered by engines in roughly the 60–80 hp range, depending on the particular aircraft and production batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts relatively modest engine power limited performance, particularly as fighter technology developed rapidly during WWI.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was nevertheless adaptable. Different examples were fitted with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wheeled landing gear\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Skis\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Floats\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Different engines\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Different machine-gun arrangements\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe type survived into the early post-war period, with S-16 aircraft reportedly remaining in Soviet service until approximately 1923, principally in reconnaissance duties.\n\u003cbr\u003eAircraft specifications\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublished figures vary according to engine and version, but the S-16 can broadly be described as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine: approximately 60–80 hp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Configuration: single-engine biplane\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Role: fighter \/ reconnaissance \/ bomber escort\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Armament: generally one 7.7 mm machine gun\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Landing gear: fixed conventional undercarriage on the standard version\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe relatively small aircraft produces an equally compact model at 1:72 scale, with the completed wingspan only around the 10 cm region.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eastern Express","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57509849366908,"sku":"EasternExpress-72218","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/eastern-express-72218-sikorsky-s-xvi-wwi-fighter-1-72-plastic-model-aircraft-kit","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}