Ardpol 1/72 PWS A/ Avia BH-33
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History
This strong Czech fighter was license produced in late '20s in Polish
PWS company under the designation PWS A, as a successor of the French
biplane SPADs 51 and 61 used by the Polish Airforce. About 50 planes were
delivered to the Krakow 2nd Air Regiment, where they became famous for
the daring aerobatics performed by the pilots of the so-called "Trojka
Bajana" ("Bajan's Three"). Their most amazing show was the set of aerobatic
figures performed on the planes connected with fabric tapes, which remained
unbroken from take off to landing!
Career of PWS A in Polish aviation was short, and ended with the arrival
of the revolutionary, all-metal gull winged PZL P.7 fighters designed
by talented Zygmunt Pulawski in 1933.
The kit
Packed in typical Ardpol glossy and colourful box, kit includes two
zip-bags containing the resin parts, photo etched brass fret, clear film
with instrument faces for the control panel, high quality sheet of decals
and detailed instruction in Polish and English.
Main parts are moulded in light tan, rather hard resin, typical for
the Ardpol kits. Moulding quality is excellent thanks to vacuum technology.
Accuracy is good, although the wings are about 3 mm too long - compared
to the drawings provided in the instruction booklet, and the tailplane
is 1 mm too short.
Level of detail is slightly worse than usual in an Ardpol kit. Bigger
parts are a bit "heavier" and the wing ribs are less subtle than in the
two other Ardpol kits reviewed in this issue of the IM - apparently some
other method was used to imitate them. Also the scalloped trailing edge
of the wing could have been better and more sharp. On the other hand,
smaller parts are better. It looks that the masters for this kit were
prepared by some other, less talented or less experienced person than
the usual "magician" who works for Ardpol, and maybe the kit got only
the "final touch" from the real Master.
Construction of this kit should be pretty easy for all the average
experienced modellers who have already worked with resin, and are not
afraid of biplanes.
The kit contains high quality decals for three Polish planes from the
Krakow Air Regiment, all in "Polish khaki" overall camouflage and with
"paper dove" unit marking on the fuselage sides.
Conclusion
Slightly less fine than the average Ardpol kit, this is still a very,
very good kit of a less-known, Central European fighter. As it is a resin
kit and a biplane, some experience is needed to complete it, but the average
experienced modeller will for sure be able to complete it.
Thanks to Ardpol for the
review kit!
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