The Polikarpov I-17 was a light weight fighter developed in the USSR during the 1930s.

It’s performance was better then most contemporary fighters but authorities preferred the radial engined I-16 so the I-17 was not developed.

The Polikarpov I-17 was designed in the early 1930s to be powered by the Hispano-Suiza 12 Yhrs in-line engine.

The first prototype made its maiden flight on 1 September 1934 and reached a speed of 455 km/h, climbed rapidly and was judged superior to the contemporary I-16.

The second prototype, with several improvements, first flew in early 1935 and the third prototype began flying in 1936.

Despite its advantages it was not popular with pilots and Soviet authorities believed the I-17 would be too difficult to fly for the average pilot so, despite plans for more advanced versions, development of the I-17 had ended by 1939.

This model represents the third I-17 prototype in 1936.

Amodel 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in August 2011.