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Hello All, This is my first tank model. I usually do aircraft in 1/72 but now I went into something new. Leopard 2A4 #0166 was presented on a military show "Operation West" at Rakow training area in Wroclaw, Poland on May 26th. I went there with my family to see the Leopard, T-34 and Rosomak (Polish variant of Patria AMV). I decided to start a tank. Two weeks passed and here it is. The real thing: My kids: Kate and Gustav enjoyed the vehicles: Kit: Revell 1/72. Half of its barrel (which was too thin) replaced by a brass tube. Tow ropes: Eureka XXL, decals: Toro Model.

Probably the most famous Polish aircraft - RWD-5bis SP-AJU, which crossed the South Atlantic on May 7th-8th, 1933. It was piloted by Stanisław Skarżyński who was known earlier of his flight around Africa (on PZL Ł-2 SP-AFA). The RWD-5bis was specially modified variant of two-seat sport plane RWD-5 (rear seat was replaced by 199 US gal fuel tank) and still remains the lightest aircraft to cross the Atlantic non-stop - her empty weight was below 450 kg. After the record flight the SP-AJU was shipped back to Poland, converted to standard two-seat configuration and used by Skarżyński. In 1939 she was taken by Russians and her later fate is unknown. Kit: ZTS Plastyk (1/72), produced in 1980s. Scratch modifications included imitation of fabric and other details. Decals: Albert.

Yes, the starboard gun (Master brass) is about 1 mm shorter (it sits deeper in the hole).

Yes, but this is not the case if you convert from Academy kit P-51/Mk.IA to Mustang Mk.I. Both had narrow upper intake and variable radiator intake. Later models (A-36A and P-51A) had wide upper intake and fixed radiator intake.

I did it about 2 months ago: Additional changes were in panel lines on the wings (most of them removed, guns access panels altered). Landing light were moved outwards.

It WAS available. I think it was a short production and in Poland it was offered just for a couple of weeks. I bought mine just before it disappeared from the market. Now I'm waiting for announced Su-7BKL and I will order it immediately after the first offers appear. BTW, the first offer of Su-7BM was 10 boxes offered together on Allegro (Polish site similar to eBay). The price was 500 PLN (about 120 EUR) for 10 kits. It was not sold. Later single kits were soled for about 100 PLN.

Very nice gliders here! Correction: "Bocian" is "stork". "Heron" is "czapla" - there was a glider with this name too.

Yes, I had to file a layer of plastic from wing-fuselage joint to make it fit as it should be. This was the only serious issue I found in the kit.

Thank you all for your comments. One more photo:

Photoshop.

OK, it is ready for inspection here:

AM214 "C", 309 Squadron, Polish Air Force, England, 1943. Since December 15, 1942 AM214 was personal mount of F/O Jerzy Gołko (later Squadron Leader), but was also used by F/Lt Janusz Lewkowicz, known of the first Stavanger raid he made on Mustang AG648. Kit: P-51 Academy 1/72, converted to Mustang Mk.I. Fuselage guns: Master. Decals from universal sets of Techmod i Tally-Ho.

44-13691, G4-A "Passion Wagon". Pilot: 1st Lt. Arval J. "Robby" Roberson (6 kills), 362 Fighter Squadron, 357 Fighter Group, September 1944. Aircraft painted with British paints Dark Green and Medium Sea Grey. After Roberson left 357 FG "Passion Wagon" was flown by his wingman, 1st Lt. Charles E. ‘Chuck’ Weaver, who added another two kill markings to the fuselage side. Later the airplane got a fin fillet and was reassigned to 364 FS and coded C5-V with name changed to "Gypsy", but still with Roberson's pin-up girl. Kit: Airfix, 1/72. Fin fillet removed. Drop tanks from Revell P-51C, decals: Kits World.

Is it allowed to present uncensored photos of naked beauties here?

I hope so too. There is some sun expected tomorrow. Actually, 'the best known' FB166 is visible only on a single blurry photo. All other photos show later FB382 and FB387, however the serial is not clearly visible on most of them. FB387 was 'discovered' first and for some time two PK-G's were 'known' - a misinterpreted FB166 with D-Day stripes and FB387 without them and with richer scoreboard. Later a was discovered where FB382 is readable. I also have his Spitfire. I didn't mean Warszawa, but Wroclaw (former Breslau). But there is also Horbaczewski Street in Warszawa. Both streets are located on former airfields: Wroclaw-Gądów (Breslau-Gandau) and Warszawa-Gocław, where you can find also other aviation-related street names. Both airfields were closed about 1980 and city blocks were built on them. When I moved to the Horbaczewski Street in Wroclaw in 1982 (I was 9 years old), from my balcony I could still see agricultural An-2s operating from the remaining part of the airfield. Today only airport building (built in 1936) remains of the aviation infrastructure.

Here. I hope that "W przygotowaniu: nr 2 Polish Mustang Units" means Part 2. Otherwise they inform that they prepare a book which was issued 2 years ago. Hmmm, that's not impossible...

No, no, no. I have only one copy. It's my precioussssss... BTW, part 2 of "Polish Mustang Units" was announced. I don't know what is inside, so I'll keep my Mustang kits intact until I get it.

In the above mentioned book "Polish Mustang Units" (AJ-Press 2011) you can find decals for KH516 WC-F with fillet and personal emblem of a girl painting names "Barbara, Jurek" (Barbara, George). Decals are in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72, the aircraft is shown 7 photos and 3-view artwork.

Yes, there were a few of them:

Yes, but not free of small errors. For example, take a look at photos of KM112 PD-D. The "D" letters are not the same, you see? But in the decals they are the same. Strange - photos are clear, artwork is correct, and the decals are wrong. You can use also Techmod decals (they have a few sets for Polish Mustangs) and the ones from Kagero TopColors #1 book. Sure. From my website: 20+ years old Polish vacuform. Maybe I should not show it here... In the 1980s it was not known that there were 3 Horbaczewski's Mustangs coded PK-G. Artworks form that period were mix of three aircraft: Serial from FB166, used before June 1944; Invasion stripes from FB382; Mission and kill markings from FB387, used in August 1944. Revell with Techmod decals (recommended): HobbyBoss with out-of-the-box decals (not recommended because of wrong colors and dimensions of markings): The fourth one is Mustang Mk.I AM214 "C" completed few days ago and not photographed yet. Markings from spare decals (Techmod, Tally-Ho) based on "Polish Mustangs Units" book. Converted P-51 of Academy. I hope to have weather for photos on the weekend. Planned are: FB382 PK-G, KM112 PD-D and a different Mk.III, not chosen yet (316 Sqn preferred because of red-white noses and fin fillet on some aircraft). BTW. I used to live (and my parent still live) at Horbaczewski Street in Wroclaw, Poland. Therefore Dziubek is my favourite pilot.

...and both have many errors in theirs decals and instructions. Literally it is the diminutive of 'the beak', as Wikipedia says. I don't know why he was called this way. BTW, 'the beak' (nose of a bird, an aircraft or a ship) is 'dziób' in Polish, and diminutive is 'dzióbek' or 'dziobek', so 'dziubek' is a misspelling (pronounciation of 'dzióbek' and 'dziubek' is the same). However, for unknown reason, Horbaczewski's nickname is written in the 'incorrect' form. I support this idea (four Polish Mustangs completed and at least three to be done, all in 1/72).

Good choice! I built her in October: The camouflage is two-tone grey (36320/36375). I used fin from Revell F-16A because the Academy one has wrong shape of fin base. Things under wings are from different kits.

Hello Rob, I'm sorry, but I don't understand your choice. Academy offers the proper P-51 variant for this scheme - why didn't you use it instead? This is very demanding scheme and it's sad to see your effort somehow wasted. Could you describe some details of your 'various techniques' tested here? My Razzle-Dazzle Mustang (Academy 1/72):

Beautiful Gina. I like the sharp details and delicate weathering. But if you want to see some more putty-loving, here is my Gina made about 25 years ago: She is made of Matchbox kit - converted from twin-engine G-91Y with longer and wider fuselage and lower canopy. All the sources I had was a tiny 4-views drawing and one BW photo for the colour scheme plus 72nd scale plans. I had no idea of airbrushing, wash etc. I did not even know that the Airfix kit of G-91R exists somewhere in the World. I just loved the tiger scheme and I had the Matchbox kit plus some details in my spares box. I reworked the fuselage, fit the Novo Jaguar's canopy, reshaped KP MiG-19 fuel tanks... Everything was brush painted except for the brown "head" - it was my first attempt in airbrushing. All markings are also painted - no decals on the model. Hardcore - isn't it? ;-)

A little bonus: