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RS Models 1/72 Avia B-534 IV. version/5. Series

By Matt Bittner

Introduction

You'll see a lot of duplication between this First Look and the one I wrote on the RS Models 1/72 Avia Bk-534.

Unfortunately I have no references in my library for the Avia B-534 series.  So, I need to go on-line where I find the following from Wikipedia:

"The B-534 was designed as a single-engine biplane fighter with a license-built Hispano-Suiza inline powerplant, and fixed landing gear. Four 7.92 mm (0.312 in) machine guns were located in the sides of the fuselage, firing through the propeller...

"The first B-534 prototype flew in late May 1933. More work followed and the first order for the Czechoslovakian Air Force was placed in mid-1934. At that time, the B-534 was well ahead of its contemporaries. The United Kingdom was still dependent on Hawker Furies, with the first Gloster Gladiators being produced at this time. The Soviet Union was placing its hope on its Polikarpov aircraft designs. The United States was still using descendants of the Curtiss Hawk series, with the Seversky P-35 and Curtiss P-36 just about to fly prototypes. First deliveries of the B-534 to the Czechoslovakian air force began in late 1935, and 445 or so had been completed by 1938."

Unfortunately Wikipedia doesn't go into the details on the differences between the versions of the B-534.  The only thing that is obvious is that starting with the fourth production run the cockpit had an enclosed canopy.

The Kit

Again with the proverbs.  When it rains, it pours.  The first kit I know of in 1/72 for the Avia B-534 is the old Kopro kit, released what seems like eons ago.  I'm unsure of any releases between the KP kit and now, but right after RS released their kits a few months ago, others have announced imminent release of Avia B-534s.  The first is HR Models, which appears to be their first injected molded kit (up to now they released only resin kits).  Another announcement came from Eduard, with them scaling "down" (or I would rather like to think it of scaling it "properly") their 1/48 release into 1/72.  However, RS Models has the upper hand in that not only are they the first to be released, but they've also released all the major versions and their molding is extremely well done.  For the later versions with the enclosed cockpit, internal detail is adequate.  For those wanting more, and not wanting to scratchbuild, then Brengun has released photoetch sets for all the RS versions.  If the pictures are any indication, then tracking down these photoetch sets is a must if you want to take your RS Avia B-534 to the "next level".

The RS Models 1/72 Avia B-534 IV. version/5. Series differs from their Avia Bk-534 model via a different fuselage and upper wing,  The kit consists of 45 injected parts in gray actually used (some parts are meant for other versions and are "missing" from the drawing of the parts on the instruction sheet) and one injected canopy.  The decals are nicely printed, in register and are for the following aircraft:

• 2nd Air Regiment, 35th Squadron, March 1939, Czech Air Force
• 13th Squadron SVZ, Eastern front 1941, Czech Air Foce
• Bulgarian Air Force
• Czech Police, Deutsch Brod, March 1939, Bulgarian Air Force
• German aircraft, CR+AV

It appears the fret that makes each RS B-534 version unique is the one that contains the fuselage halves and upper wing (and other parts).  At least in the two versions I was given for review (the other being the Bk-534).

Construction naturally starts with the simple cockpit, which consists of a floor (with molded in rudder pedals), seat and control stick.  That's it.  After assembling the cockpit and gluing it and the plastic instrument panel then the fuselage halves can be assembled.  The next steps are to glue on the fin, rudder and horizontal tail parts.  With the fin and rudder being separate parts means the rudder can be displayed canted.  Too bad the rest of the control surfaces aren't separate.  After the tail pieces are added then the lower wing is glued to the fuselage and the instructions have you glue the wing and tail struts, and canopy in place.  Personally I plan on waiting until the very end during final construction before I add the struts.

Next go on the underside radiator and cooling grill nose-section on the underside and the final step on the instruction sheet is to glue on the landing gear struts, wheels/tires and upper wing.  However, again wait until after painting before adding the upper wing, although if you plan on finishing the model in one of the versions you could add the landing gear struts, since the entire aircraft was a single color.

Conclusion

Since RS Models was the "first out of the gate" with their release of the Avia B-534 series, the future is bright for them.  It definitely helps that the kits are very well done and will look great when built.  If you decide you want to "go all out" on your build, then pick up the Brengun photoetch to go with the kit, and you'll have a top-notch model to display.

Thanks to RS Models for the review kit.