Scale Aviation Modeller International – April 2019

PZL.43 Polskie Wersje

Mirage Hobby 1/48 PZL.43 Polskie Wersje reviewed by Michael Booth

PZL.43 POLSKIE WERSJE
MANUFACTURER: Mirage Hobby
SCALE: 1/48
KIT TYPE: Plastic injection moulded
KIT NUMBER: 481313
DECAL OPTIONS: 3

INTRODUCTION

The PZL.43 was an improved
export variant of the PZL.23
Karas Light Bomber, itted
with a more powerful Gnome-
Rhône 14-cylinder engine.
When the German forces
invaded in 1939, only two
remained in the hands of the
Polish air force, (according
to the kit instructions) the
irst was hidden in a hanger,
the other shot down with
the crew surviving.

CONSTRUCTION

Mirage Hobby give you three
plastic sprues, one clear sprue
and a set of etched parts to,
and all look well detailed with
hardly any lash, a good start.
The earliest problem I faced was
the cockpit, as the instructions
were not really clear as to where
parts went, I will admit I had
to ind online images work
this out. However, apart from
that a highly detailed cockpit
was built. When the cockpit
was sandwiched between the
two fuselage parts, there was
gap at the front as the loor
was too wide, however, the
problem was soon solved with
cutting, sanding and clamping.
The main wing construction
was very rewarding, needing

a little iller in the gaps to

the body, but the etched

parts cover up the mistake,

a happy accident. The rest of

the aircraft was a pleasure to

put together with elevators

and wheel spats going on with

no problem, apart from the

bottom gunner’s compartment

which you need to fold up!

PAINTING

I irst started of by priming

the model in Vallejo White, and

on top of that I painted some

panels in Tamiya Yellow and

some in Grey to bring some

variation to the surface. The

model’s upper surfaces were

then painted with thin layers

of Tamiya XF-51 Khaki Drab,

this gave the aircraft its dark

brown look. Again, once dry,

the underside was masked and

painted using Hataka Hobby

RLM65, and once dry this was

all sealed with Humbrol Clear

Gloss Varnish. The decals went

on with a bit of encouragement

but be gentle as these are thin!

The model was then weathered

using Flory Models Pro Wash,

and the fuel caps were given a

dark grey streak efect for spilt

oil. Chipping was done using

Revell Silver acrylic, applied

using a piece of sponge, as my

guess is that this aircraft was

used a bit before meeting its

fate! The engine was painted

using variations of of silver and

aluminium before being glued

together. The level of detail

put into this part is extreme,

so patience, paints and washes

bring this all out. Once done

it was itted to the body, and

again care was taken to get the

right panels in the right place.

CONCLUSION

For my irst ever Polish themed

model, the kit was a joy to

build. There are a few obstacles

here and there but is easily

overcome. Thanks to Mirage

Hobby for the review kit.

SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL • APRIL 2019

KIT REVIEWS

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