1/72 Heller PZL P-23 A/B Karas

by Gabriel Stern

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  Poland Independence Day 2005  

 

While I'm waiting for a re-edition of Heller's Couzinet Arc-en-ciel and Delta's Savoia Marchetti S-55 (not to mention a brave manufacturer who would like to tackle in 1/72 the Transavia Air Truck), I found consolation in Heller's PZL P-23.
This is one of the best models Heller have produced (and I have built a lot). A good model with a fairly acceptable level of detail. Fuselage side detail and Interior frames are depicted, a good instrument panel and good exteriors (in subtly raised panel lines).
A note about Heller's care: I discovered a small indentation in the front of the cowling and dutifully (and painfully) filled and sanded it. In checking references -oh, why we do that always after!- I discovered that it has to be there: it's an opening to clear the shots from the machine gun. A word of wisdom: pitot tube, tail skid and position lights are molded integrally with the correspondent parts. It is not absolutely necessary to clumsily knock off those during building. I just did with only one (pitot tube).

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Transparencies are rather clear and detailed too, and the fit is appropriate. I dealt with the frames with decal paper airbrushed first in aluminum then in the color of the exterior of the plane. Tiny stripes are cut later (very sharp new blade, fellows) and carefully added. I placed the ones that run vertically, fixed them with a brush and micro-sol, and then the horizontal ones. They show the metal color on the inside (the decal originally is transparent). The color of the exterior was sightly peeling off, which gave a very good look of barely chipped frames. I found this method as painful and horrific as any other, but the final results are better in my case. 

The kit builds smoothly with just average skills required. Parts for A and B versions are included.
I found a lot of references on the Internet, included detailed plans, photos and profiles.
Some times I wonder why we are willing to spend a lot of time dealing with short run kits (which I love, don't get me wrong), and dismiss main stream ones, fairly priced, that just require a little bit of care. I really liked this one, I hope you do too.

Gabriel

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Photos and text © by Gabriel Stern