Avia S.199 Mezek, Israeli Air Force, the first, but not the best

by Tigre del Aire

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Greetings from Colombia!
Dear all, I returned to the old ways, this time with an aircraft that was not much loved by its pilots for very good reasons, but despite its unreliable and not very efficient abilities, it became the first device that had The nascent air force of Israel, I speak of the Avia S.199 Mezek (mule). 
The Avia S.199 was a plane that is not appreciated enough in the Heyl Ha Avir their delicate landings and take-offs, in addition, the controls are super sensitive to air and can cause fatal accidents, this aircraft was the product of combining the Czech fuselage of a Messerschmidt BF-109 with an engine Jumo 211, there were individual bulbs in the engine bonnet and their poor performance. 

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When the Israelis declared their independence on May 14 1948, Egyptians incessantly bombarded positions because by not having an air force that could do confrontara of theirs, and was determined to get played out as it was able to fly and fight, so Avia S.199 acquire 23 aircraft with a value of $ 4 million each. The first 4 arrived on May 20 aboard a C-46 Curtiss Commando and were ready to fight 29. 
The Egyptians lost their advantage when the 4 aircraft shot down a DC-3 that was being used as a bomber by the Egyptian forces, it helped raise the morale of the men on shore, so the increased contribution of Avia is in the field the morale of the troops, not much like the military. 

4 appliances also contributed to halt the advance by the Egyptian and Iraqi ground destroying bridges and vehicles, unfortunately, these devices are lost 4 ... 3, the only device that was able to fight was gradually increased until the 23 aircraft acquired the June 23, when they came to the Spitfire and Mustang these aircraft had been fighting in the heavens and raising morale. Only 1 years remaining in service. 
This Avia is basically a BF-109, a kit can buy very cheap, when I had my hands on the German plane I realized the cockpit with a piece of acetate, was removed from the stand bombs were made of the guns fairings and engine bulbs with Sprue and putty, the pilot is a figure to be amended to him by the helmet and parachute flight. 

I hope you like it!

Tigre del Aire

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Photos and text © by Tigre del Aire