Tally Ho! Decals 1/72nd "I-15 Fighters" (7106 and 7107)

By Erik Pilawskii
 [All decal sheet scans have been deliberately skewed and distorted at random angles to dissuade illegal reproduction or Copyright infringement by any such parties. The precise line and measurement of any specific marking, therefore, should not be taken literally from these illustrations.]

Tally Ho! Sheets No.7106 and 7107 "I-15 Fighters"

    Not usually though of as a decal manufacturer, Aviation Usk nonetheless is responsible for several markings sheets. These two related sheets, 7106 and 7107 cover a number of I-15, I-152, and I-153 fighters. In fact, despite their diminutive size, these two sheets contain markings for fully twenty-five aircraft! Extraordinary! The decals themselves are of medium quality, and though not as thin as Propagteam or SuperScale transfers, they do seem to snug down fairly well with the skillful application of setting solution.

Schemes

25 individual aircraft make up these sheets, all of them I-15 family fighters.

  1. I-15 "White 58", Frank Tinker, 1 Esqudrilla, 1937:    Fine decal set, though my references differ on the correct numeral of Tinker's I-15, some claiming "56" and others "58".

  2. I-15 "White 131", " Jose ", 3 Esqudrilla, 1937:    The aircraft of the 3a Esq.'s nebulous Commander, widely suspected to be none other than the superb I-15/-153 ace Boris Gritsevets. The markings here are quite nice.

  3. I-15 "White 151", Antonio Aguar, 3 Esqudrilla, 1937:    Another fine set, though Aguar's cowling was usually painted red.

  4. I-15 [CA-142], Vicente Castillo, 1 Esqudrilla, 1938:    The green shade of this machine's cowling is a matter of heated debate, and many authors claim that it was in fact blue. Fine decal set.

  5. I-15 [CA-87], unknown pilot, 2 Esqudrilla, 1938:    Well done 2a Esq. unit decals on this one. Nice.

  6. I-15 [CA-193], Lionel Campos, 2 Esqudrilla, 1939:    Another fine set.

  7. I-15 "White (CA) 152", unknown pilot, 2 Esqudrilla, 1939:    Well done decal set here. "125" may have belonged to the German anti-Nazi pilot/adventurer Luther Malchenburg, at least for a time while at Cartagena. Malchenburg was caught by Italian troops in 1939 and summarily shot.

  8. I-15 "Red 1", Viktor Kubrikov, 15 IAP, 1938:    Finish is standard Dark Olive Green over Brilliant Medium Blue livery. Decal set is rather good.

  9. I-15 "White 5", unknown pilot, 1 IAP, 1938:    Simple decal set, here, but perfectly fine.

  10. I-15 "Yellow 2", Sergei Timolenko, 6 IAP, 1939:    A well done set here for "Yellow 2"; nice.

  11. I-15 "White 46", Estado Major, 1 Esqudrilla, 1937:    A fine decal set. The color guide alleges that this machine had a 'Spanish Use' application on the upper wing, consisting of Dark Olive Green mottled over Sand Brown . I have no photographic evidence to refute or substantiate the claim.

  12. I-15 "White 15", Leopold Morquillas, 2 Esqudrilla, 1938:    Another fine set.

  13. I-153 "White 6", N. Ahounis, LeLv 6, 1942:    Very nice.

  14. I-153 "Black 69", unknown, 1941:    The finish on this machine was indeed over-all dull silver dope. It is likely from the inventory of the 1 IAP, though there is no direct evidence as yet to support this idea.

  15. I-153 "Red 12", Pyotr Nishnikov, 13 OAE KBF, 1941:    Markings are fine as provided, both for VVS and LeLv service.

  16. I-153 [IT-19], N. Ahounius, LeLv 6, 1941:    I have no further information on this scheme.

  17. I-153 "White 9", LeLv 6, 1942:    I have no further information on this scheme.

  18. I-153 "White 9" [IT-16], LeLv 6, 1942:    I have no further information on this scheme.

  19. I-152 [VH-11], LLv 11, 1940:    I have no further information on this scheme.

  20. I-152 [IH-2], LeLv 34, 1943:    Fine decal set again.

  21. I-152 "Red 5", Leningrad VO, unknown pilot, 1941:    Markings here are fine for "Red 5", which carries the standard Dark Olive Green over Brilliant Medium Blue finish.

  22. I-152 "Yellow 110", 265 ShAP, unknown pilot, 1941:    The numeral and fin flash should be yellow. Standard VVS Dark Olive Green over Brilliant Medium Blue scheme.

  23. I-153 "White 1", LeLv 6, 1942:    I have no further information on this scheme.

     Though one cannot make all 25 aircraft schemes with the decals provided (there is only one set each of National markings), the sheer breadth of these two sheets is impressive, and the possibilities vast. By all means, an important decal sheet for enthusiasts of the SCW, and some nice early VVS markings as well. Recommended.