Eduard Avia B.534 late series - Eduard (4452) 1:144 Quattro Combo

[bootneck]

Avia B.534 late series - Quattro Combo

 

1:144 Eduard

 

 

 

The Avia B-534 was developed in 1934 as an extension of the B-34 fighter. The B.534 was produced for the Czechoslovak Air Force, with the majority being attached to No.3 Fighter Regiment in Slovakia at the beginning of the World War Two. There were several engine and airframe combinations tried during development; one, the prototype B-234, served as the basis for the re-engined V.12 Hispano Suiza 12Y drs type that became the true B.534.

In 1934, the B.535 was the victor in a tender for a new standard fighter for the air force and, in June of that same year, Avia received an order for an initial 34 aircraft and eventually leading to a total of 568 units, built in several production blocks; however, assessments of the aircraft were varied considerably. Initially it was an aircraft that was technically sound, utilizing progressive construction techniques but, by the time of the Munich Crisis in 1938, the technology had become virtually obsolete. Furthermore, the politics of the situation during the Crisis didn't allow the Air Force any chance for combat missions to be flown 1941 whilst in the services of their former enemy, the Slovak State. Slovak pilots however, flying the B-534 on the Eastern Front, gained good results and these can be viewed upon as being the climax of the career of the type. Within a year though, it had become very much apparent that replacement by more modern types was necessary, and inevitable. Some of the remaining B-534s were destined for final operations within the Bulgarian Air Force, in operations over Hungary, in 1944 and with Slovakia during the uprising against Germany in late August-early November 1944. The type was also used during the Slovak National Uprising, primarily in the ground attack role, and one B.534 did manage a kill, gaining fame as the last aerial victory of a biplane in history. It should be noted that the kill in question was that of a Hungarian transport. The Slovak National Uprising was to be the swansong of the Avia B-534 though; certainly, it became one of the most profound and positive symbols of Czechoslovak aviation history.

The Kit
This set contains four model kits, based on Eduard's previous release; number 7116, of the single kit that was released in 2015. Each of the four aircraft kits comprises only one grey plastic, containing forty-seven items, and one clear sprue of five pieces; however, there are enough parts on each sprue to make one of up to eight differently marked aircraft.

As is to be expected with a model of a small aircraft at this scale, the fuselage length being only 5.5cm long, the recessed panel lines are extremely fine but very well represented. Ribbing on the wing surfaces are moulded akin to raised panel lines.

 

 

Some parts on the grey sprue are very small and delicate, especially the wing struts and real care will need to be taken when attempting to remove them from the sprue. Attention to detail will also be paramount when deciding which version of this aircraft to build, mainly as there are components that will be needed for one version but not another. This is covered quite well in the colourful instruction booklet provided but it must be emphasised again to carefully identify the parts to match the version.

 

 

As can be seen in the above image, Eduard provides a nice little set of masks with forty-two individual masks. These cover, pun intended, the windscreens and wheel covers. Special note needs to be taken over which type of canopy is used with the kit; there is only one canopy but the frame design is dictated by which masks are used.

Clear parts
This sprue hold clear parts for the early versions of the B.534 as well as the late version which this kit represents; however, these early variant types cannot be used without a fair bit of surgery to the fuselage body. There are two closed canopies for the late version attached, each with different style of canopy framing in which the relevant masks pertain to.

 

 

Decals
The decals for all four kits are provided on one single sheet and has options for up to eight different aircraft. There are enough decals to make up all eight aircraft but, as there are only four kits, there should be a few decals left for the spares box. For the types that require swastikas, there are two type: a complete type and split types, and my understanding is the complete types are removed from the decal sheet for the European market, as can be seen by the triangular section in the lower right of the decal sheet below. This becomes a bonus for UK modellers as this means there are double the amount than is needed.

 

 

 

 

 

Decals available for aircraft of the following units:

• I./JGr Drontheim, Grove Air Base, Denmark 1941
• IVth international aviation meeting, Zurich, Switzerland 1937
• 7./LLG 1, Eastern front 1942-43
• 34th Squadron, Hradec Kralove air base, Czechoslovakia, summer 1937
• 112nd Fighter Squadron, Sofia - Bozhuriste airbase, Bulgaria early 1941
• Gendarme aviation patrol, Hradec Kralove air base, Czechoslovakia, summer 1937
• Air Regiment 4, Prague - Kbely air base, March 1939
• Combined Squadron, Tri Duby airfield, Slovakia, September-October 1944

Conclusion
This may only be set of diminutive kits of a biplane but the choices of finish provide some really interesting subjects. Care will need to be taken with some of the finer pieces but the finished model should be a pleasure to hold and admire. These combo sets are a very welcome addition to the Eduard range and should be very popular.

Highly recommended and I am looking forward to start on the first one soon.
 

Review samples courtesy of