Fifer54 Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Righty-oh! Here's my (first?) attempt for this GB. It's the old Heller PZL P23 Karas, to be built as a P23B of 55 Eskadra Liniowa, 4 Pulk Lotniczy. These are the kit's decals. It will be built OOB. During the period 3rd-8th September 1939 this unit took part in intensive bombing missions against armored elements of the Germans X Army Gruppe in the Radomsko-Piotrkow and Pultusk sectors of the Polish Front. Here are the kit's mugshots. I'm really looking forward to the start of this GB. I've built this kit before, it's a straightforward build, a nice kit of a handsome aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erwin Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savenosouls Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 (edited) HI I have one also (via Ebay in the US) - but am a few weeks away from starting it. (Trying to get another to do the alternative decal option) Edited October 25, 2010 by Savenosouls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted November 15, 2010 Author Share Posted November 15, 2010 Production has commenced! I've done some painting on the sprue, and started assembling the interior. I painted the instrument panel as well, and did (for me(!)) a lovely job, but my camera, even in macro mode, won't focus close enough to show it off,so here's a pic of the other parts. Should proceed fairly quickly to the next stage now............. For a 1/72 kit of its age (late '70s?) the interior is a little gem! And it seems that Heller did their homework, with some pretty accurate data on colour callouts, except that the tiny colour diagram doesn't really show that the fuselage camo is a "wraparound" scheme, so that only the wings, tailplane and centre section are pale blue (similar to Luftwaffe Hellblau) underneath with the rest in olive/khaki. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted November 22, 2010 Author Share Posted November 22, 2010 Here's a bit of progress on this one. Fuselage assembled, and wing & undercarriage sub-assemblies built up. She's taking shape! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killingholme Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 looks like a nice kit actually. Like you said, the cockpit detail looks very good for the age of the kit. Are the panel lines raised? nice build, comrade in arms (I'm building a Polish 'Czapla') Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted November 22, 2010 Author Share Posted November 22, 2010 looks like a nice kit actually. Like you said, the cockpit detail looks very good for the age of the kit. Are the panel lines raised?nice build, comrade in arms (I'm building a Polish 'Czapla') Will Yes, the kit does have raised panel lines, but they are very fine, finer on the fuselage than on the wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted November 23, 2010 Author Share Posted November 23, 2010 Disaster! has struck the brave personnel of the Polish Air Force. Not at the hands of the enemy,however! My carpet monster has eaten the front glazing for the ventral gondola of the Karas! (Waited until after I'd masked it up too!) Our brave comrades will carry on in the face of this catastrophe and simply ignore the missing glazing! Such a nice kit too.............. :shithappens: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted November 26, 2010 Author Share Posted November 26, 2010 Undunted by the recent catastrophe that befell the model, it continues to take shape. I think I'll Klear coat and decal before adding the landing gear, and detail parts........ From the little information I could find about the colouring, this: isn't far off for the underside demarcation. Close enough for (Polish) Government work, anyway! I hadn't noticed that unpainted area on the fin leading edge until I looked at the photos closely! Touch-up (oo-er, missus!) required, methinks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted December 2, 2010 Author Share Posted December 2, 2010 Kleared(!) and ready for decals............ which will be applied this afternoon/evening! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savenosouls Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 Kleared(!) and ready for decals............which will be applied this afternoon/evening! I've got 2 off these kits now - starting the build soon - was helped out with a magazine article re colours - I'd be interested to know what colour of paint you used for the upper fuselage? I'm considering HU 155 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted December 2, 2010 Author Share Posted December 2, 2010 I've got 2 off these kits now - starting the build soon - was helped out with a magazine article re colours - I'd be interested to know what colour of paint you used for the upper fuselage? I'm considering HU 155 It was Tamiya XF-61 Dark Green, which (allegedly and unfortunately, I now realise) matches the infamous Humbrol Hu30 Dark Green..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killingholme Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 (edited) Hi Gaz, nice to see this in paint. This article may help people considering what colour to paint their Polish aircraft! http://ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2007/05/...ish_colours.htm I'm not messing around with mixing colours on my RWD-14, simply using Humbrol 142 (uppers) and 34 (underside) because I have both in stock. Simples! Will Edited December 2, 2010 by Killingholme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savenosouls Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Does anyone know the correct aircrew configuration for the Karas (Crucian Carp - by the way) - I know there are 3 crew, Pilot +2. Presumably the prone gunner down below - but does he double as the rear gunner - or is that duty performed by the other crew member - I like to put crew in - and have a box of "poseable" revel pilots. Any ideas anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 Does anyone know the correct aircrew configuration for the Karas (Crucian Carp - by the way) - I know there are 3 crew, Pilot +2. Presumably the prone gunner down below - but does he double as the rear gunner - or is that duty performed by the other crew member - I like to put crew in - and have a box of "poseable" revel pilots. Any ideas anyone? There's a free download of the Mushroom Models book on the Karas here. which may help, and the old Profile Publications Profile on the Karas is available also but I've lost that URL. According to the Profile, the crew consisted of Pilot, observer, and bomb aimer/gunner. Presumably the observer also fired the dorsal rear gun......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anyway, here's pics of progress. We're nearly there now.......... Should finish tonight or tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savenosouls Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Thanks for the info - downloading now - if I get them started I'll try and included them in the GB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted December 5, 2010 Author Share Posted December 5, 2010 Finished! Shame about the gondola glazing, but that's as far as I can take this kit. Further pics in the regular gallery! I do think I'll have another go at this GB, with something German probably. I mentioned to SWMBO that I'd finished it, and that I fancied doing another model for this GB, but I didn't know if I had anything suitable. Her reply shocked me- she said "Well, you'll have to get something, then!" So this GB hasn'tseen the last of me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Nice one Gaz - a great addition to the GB. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erwin Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Good to see this Polish build. Nice result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deacon Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 As you say, a shame about the gondola glazing, but still a cracking build mate. Now I suggest you get another kit, before she changes her mind! Deacon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killingholme Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Nice result. Maybe the lower canopy will turn up. Good thing about Dyson hoovers is you can sift through the dust! Another Polish build? In the words of Mrs Doyle, 'go on go on go on....' Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted December 8, 2010 Author Share Posted December 8, 2010 I've ordered a little target tank (sound like Lieutenant Gruber there!) from a certain website. It's a 1/76 and served in the Battle of France (among other places) and the model measures 2"x 1"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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