I grew up in Poland and immigrated to the US 35 years ago when I was in my twenties. Ironically, I majored in English here, but I have fond memories related to my interest in aviation. What spiked my interest in reviewing items were the books on some familiar subjects. For example, I received a glider pilot license in Poland and one of the books Pablo Bouleo mentioned in the 'stash' is from MMP (PZL-104 Wilga 35A, Single No. 46). In my glider training, the plane towing us was the PZL-104 Wilga! So, anything around Polish subjects like PZL Combat Fighters, etc., would land you a quick and thorough review just because I had an exposure to some of the topics. Not to mention an uncle who flew a total of over 4000 hours in Mig-21s. Therefore, I want to thank you both for giving me the opportunity to join this review. group.
The development of the L-410 started in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s. The first prototype, called L-410 Turbolet, flew on April 16, 1969. New versions followed, including the L-410UVP, which had an improved performance in take-off and landing, and the L-410UVP-E, the most common variant of the plane, which had an increased maximum take-off weight. The first flight of the L-410UVP-E took place in 1984. The production of this variant started two years later. The seating capacity for the different versions ranged from 15 to 19 passengers.
The Kit
The Kovozavody Prostejov (KP) kit of the L-410 Turbolet in 1/72 scale comes in a side-opening box with the front box art on top and four, color painting schemes on the back of the box. The kit includes three sprues… more
Published: Book Author(s): Ian Baxter Company: Casemate Publishers
The book “The East Pomeranian Offensive, 1945: Destruction of German Forces in Pomerania and West Prussia” is a fully illustrated account of the offensive that took place before the Soviets pushed toward Berlin in 1945. Before that final drive toward the Nazi capital, the Russians wanted to clear the areas in the northern part of occupied Poland and reach the Baltic Sea to ensure the northern flank of the Red Army was secured during their advance toward Berlin. The Soviet advance created a series of German encirclement's that had to be dealt with. Many of the encircled areas were heavily fortified, although the fast Russian drive forced the German to build some of these fortifications in haste, making them less effective. There were some key cities like Danzig and Kolberg (today’s… more
There is not much information available on the history of the Messerschmitt Bf-109S trainer type. The most I could find about this version was in the book by Richard A. Franks “The Messerschmitt Bf109 Early Series (V1 to E-9 including T-series)” by Valiant Wings Publishing. It states that it was a tandem trainer with the student sitting in the front seat and the instructor behind. The S version was the same as the Bf-109E-3 one but was equipped with a Revi gun-sight, and although it retained the nose armament, it did not have the wing cannons. It also had an early style canopy without armored glass in the front. The most interesting fact in the book was that it was a project only and was never built.
The Kit
The AZ model kit of the Messerschmitt Bf-109S… more
Background: Before the outbreak of the Second World War, the German navy (Kriegsmarine)became fascinated with the notion of aircraft carrier use. The Germans started the construction of Graf Zeppelin carrier for the navy. They decided to use Messerschmitt Bf 109T fighters and Ju 87dive bombers with the carriers. The suffix 'T' standsfor ‘Träger’(a carrier) in German. An order for building 70 T-1 fighters (with added tail-hook, catapult fittings, and increased wingspan) was placed with the manufacturers, but after 7 T-1s were built, the carrier project was canceled and the remaining 63 of the 70 T-1s were built asT-2s without the carrier equipment. The performance of the T-2 was closely comparable to the E-4/N which had shorter takeoff and landing capabilities. The T-2 fighters were… more
When the Italian Italeri company brought their injection molded 1/32 scale Macchi MC.202 to the market, several other manufactures of accessories rushed to produce alternate parts for it, such as resin wheels or metal instrument panels. Yahu Models produced their 1/32 scale instrument panel for the Italeri Macchi MC.202 in 1/32 scale at the end of 2023 as an alternative to the kit’s instrument panel.
This product comes in a small clear plastic bag and contains three elements: a photo etched fret for the two smaller control panel raised panels, the main brass instrument panel and a clear sheet for one of the instrument faces. There is a simple color drawing on the cardboard insert showing how to assemble the provided elements.
ICM’s Leopard 2A6 in 1/35 scale is a Revell-Germany re-boxing kit. However, it represents a tank used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and includes a very attractive set of 5 figures with a dog. The box cover display shows the tank crew at rest with two members occupied with the running gear. The tank assembly consists of 246 parts and 45 parts are dedicated to the five crew figures and one dog figure. There are six marking options provided in this kit spanning different regions of Ukraine and periods between summer of 2023 and winter of 2024. Ukrainian national markings in different configurations can be applied over one standard German three tone NATO camouflage.
The box cover holds a reinforced white inner box that protects the kit’s seven plastic sprues (some sprues are… more
Published: Book Author(s): Andrzej Glass Company: Wydawnictwo STRATUS
This book offers a detailed development history of the PWS-10 fighter designed by Polish engineers from the Podlaska Aircraft Factory in 1928. The reader will find a brief development story of the plane and details about the aircraft’s design. The first prototype of the PWS-10 was flown in 1930.
There was a competing design of the PZL P.1 aircraft (later developed into the P.7, P.11, and P.24 fighters that soldiered during the WWII) in the process of development but required additional refinement. Facing a lack of a better alternative for a fighter plane at the time, the military authorities decided to go with the PWS-10. The PWS-10 did not have a good reputation among pilots due to its flying characteristics and being prone to catching fire. Nevertheless, it briefly served the… more
Published: Book Author(s): John Kim Company: KLP Publishing
The ebook “Building the Zoukei-Mura Ta-152H in 1/32 Scale” is a part of the Scale Modelling Guide Books from KLP Publishing in Australia. This is an impressive publication with 167 pages full of pictures and great modeling ideas. The Ta-152H model from Zoukei-Mura in 1/32 scale is the subject of this publication and was built, painted, and finished by John Kim. He backdated the H1 (Super Wing Series No. SP2) kit to the earlier H0 version. Although Zoukei-Mura released the H0 model later, John did not have access to that model at that time.
Published: Book Author(s): Tom Cockle Company: Peko Publishing
The book Panzer-Rgt./Abt.18 on the Battlefield - World War Two Photobook Series Vol.26 is written by Tom Cockle. There are two pages dedicated to the history and combat experience of the Panzer-Regiment 18. This regiment was created primarily as the ‘Tauch’ or ‘Unterwasser’ (Dive or Underwater) and ‘Flamme’ (Flame) unit and the photographs in the book cover the period from early 1941 to late 1942. The photographic history of the Panzer-Regiment 18 shows Panzer II, Panzer III, Panzer IV tanks and even a picture of a captured British Cruiser Mk.IV tank, as well as some soft skin vehicles. The scenery includes vehicles’ travel to/from the battlefront, repair depots, resting spots, battle damage to the vehicles, and some accidents. The pictures shine a light on the weather conditions that… more
Published: Book Author(s): Artur Juszczak Company: Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
The PZL (Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze) State Aviation Works were established in 1928 with the main purpose of producing military aircraft of their own design and development. One of the characteristics of the PZL fighter aircraft was the gull-shaped wing which was later known as the Polish wing. The first design developed by the Works was the PZL P.1 which was also the first all-metal aircraft construction in Poland. This development was followed by the PZL P.6 and then the PZL P.7 airplanes. In 1931 the prototype of the PZL P.11 was tested and flown. Several versions of the PZL P.11 were developed: P.11a, P.11b, P.11c, and P.11f. Romania acquired the license for the P.11b but built the P.11f. The PZL P.11 and PZL P.7 were engaged in air combat against the German Luftwaffe in September… more
