The Polikarpov TIS was designed and built under a specification for a heavy escort fighter to accompany bombers to their targets. This was a common concept in the late 1930s and early '40s; however, history has shown that this type of aircraft was never a match for single-seat fighters. Nevertheless, the TIS was an elegant aircraft, with two 1400 hp engines and a crew of two. It was, however, a bit underarmed with only four forward-firing 7.62mm machine guns as well as a rearward-firing 7.62mm for defense. The prototype exhibited problems with longitudinal stability and excessive vibration from the engines. There were also problems with the engines' power output. War forced the evacuation of the Polikarpov development group, and more pressing tasks prevented the flight test program from proceeding. Eventually, however, the stability problems were fixed, and the engines were replaced with more powerful AM-39 engines of 1700 hp each. The armament was also upgraded to two 20mm cannons in the nose and a 37mm cannon in each wing root. However, following the death of Polikarpov and after several accidents with the prototype, the development group was "dissolved" (hey, that's what the instructions say! One shudders to think...) and the prototype remained unused.

Valom's reissue of their TIS kit includes all the original parts plus some new ones for the sleeker engine nacelles and larger rudders of the TIS(A) variant. The original parts include injection plastic main parts, resin pilot's seat and wheels, photo-etched parts for the instrument panel, belts, rudder pedals, engine intakes, and two vacuformed canopies. Panel lines are recessed and fine. This kit will require some modeling skills, but nothing beyond the abilities of those with a couple of kits under their belt. It will give you the chance to put something "different" on the shelf, and fill a gap in any collection of Russian planes or heavy fighters.