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The
Polikarpov U-2 or Po-2
served as a general-purpose Soviet biplane, nicknamed Kukruznik .
The reliable, uncomplex and
forgiving aircraft, powered by a 99 hp Shvetsov air-cooled radial engine, first
flew in January 1928. Initially the Po-2 (it did not take this name until 1944)
served as a trainer and crop duster.
Two Polikarpov Po-2 's had been given as a gift to the celebrations of the 10th year of Turkish Republic at 1933 by the USSR
government with ANT-9 and Polikarpov R-5's.
These Po-2's used at the parachute trainings at the THK (Turkish Air League),
"Turkkusu" ( Turkish Bird) branch.
Although entirely outclassed by
contemporary aircraft, the Kukuruznik served extensively on the Eastern Front in
WWII as a light ground attack and general supply aircraft. German Wehrmact
troops nicknamed the craft the Nähmaschine (sewing machine) for its
rattling sound. Its low cost and easy maintenance led to a production run of
over 30,000, and manufacturing of the model continued into the 1950s.
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Click on
images below to see larger images
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The kit is the Gavia
and I mostly built out of the box, except the exhaust detail on the engine which
was inaccurate. I rebuilt it by using some brass rods. I used fishing line for
the rigging. The star and crescent decals were PM decals.
Tamer
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