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Fairey Battle Mk.I Poles in the UK (FR0047) 1:72 Azur Frrom The Fairey Battle was a light bomber that was designed in the early-to-mid 30s as a replacement for the biplane Hawker Hart, and as such it was a substantial improvement on the Hart by the time it entered prototype testing in 1936. The aircraft was powered by the then-new Rolls-Royce Merlin I engine, which output over 1,000hp, but with the additional weight of the larger metal monoplane airframe, the three crew, and the bomb load it was a much slower aircraft than the Spitfires and Hurricanes that were also using the Merlin for motive power. Production continued regardless, its 260mph top speed not seeming to bother the higher echelons until much later, when the clouds of war were beginning to gather over Europe in ‘38. When the war began there were over 2,000 Battles in service, and it was amongst the first aircraft to encounter the enemy, carrying out the first shoot-down of an enemy aircraft, despite its measly pair of .303 machine guns and relatively low speed. This luck didn’t continue however, and casualties began to accrue, the Ministry having now realised that the type was effectively obsolete in its intended role, remaining in-service mainly because there was no viable replacement ready at the time. Production continued into 1940 because of this situation, although many of the airframes were being re-tasked as trainers or target tugs where possible, while those in front-line service still suffered high casualties, which extended to service in Greece, France and East Africa, the last combat flight occurring in 1941 in Greece, comprising a few remaining RAF and Hellenic Air Force Battles that hadn’t yet been destroyed on the ground by Luftwaffe forces. The Battle as a trainer received a new cockpit arrangement, which consisted of two separate canopies one behind the other, instead of the extensive single glazed cockpit of the bomber, with a gunnery training option having a turret installed instead of the extra cockpit. The trainer was designated as Battle T, and the target tug was outfitted with a winch and bright paint scheme, known as the Battle TT. An alternative power-plant was considered for the Target Tug in case the Merlin became scarce, but only one airframe was converted with a lower-powered Wright Cyclone R-1820, but nothing came of it as Merlin production wasn’t compromised at any point. Tugs and Trainers were used extensively by the RAF and other operators in smaller numbers, the last Battle leaving service in 1949, far later than seemed likely during the early days of WWII. The Kit This is a brand-new tooling from Azur Frrom, and there has been a great deal of excitement for the three boxings that have been released initially. The kit arrives in a top-opening blue-themed box with a painting of an RAF Battle with a Polish symbol near the tail, and inside are three sprues of bluish-grey styrene in a resealable bag, plus a clear sprue in its own bag, decal sheet in another bag, and a set of A5 instructions printed on glossy paper in colour. The kit has been designed in a collaborative effort with Special Hobby, who have moulded the sprues, which are well-detailed, with fine panel engraved lines, Dzuz fasteners, and plenty of detail inside the cockpit and wheel bays. Construction begins with the front cockpit, based upon a slightly curved floor onto which a rear bulkhead, seat, controls, control column and rudder pedals are applied. The rear cockpit is built on a centre section of the wing, plus an extension to the rear, which receives a pedestal seat in two halves, making the cockpit surround from two sills and an angled bulkhead, then detailing the interior of the fuselage with additional equipment that includes a jump-seat, extra plate-mags for the rear gun, levers and throttle quadrant, adding the instrument panel to the front after painting, and applying a dial decal over the raised dials moulded into the part. The cockpit sill insert is extended with a deck that has a series of instruments added underneath, choosing whether to fit the gun’s ‘sheath’ in open or stowed options, each made from three parts. A pendular frame is inserted at the rear of the cockpit along with the sill assembly, mounting the front cockpit and another bulkhead into the forward section of the cockpit, closing the fuselage around the tail-wheel with separate yoke, and the rudder panel. At the front are a pair of exhaust inserts that receive one of two styles of exhaust stubs, leaving another on the sprues for another time, painting them a suitably smutty shade or two. The main gear legs are both single chunky struts that fit into bays that are moulded as a box with a slot in each side for the leg to sit, supported by a panel-like retraction strut behind it. These are painted and left to one side until the clear landing lights have been inserted in their three-part bays and fitted one into each wing leading-edge, inserting a clear-view window under the pilot’s feet that was overpainted for one decal option. The two bays are dropped into the openings in the lower wing part, and the aft cockpit with lower wing-root section is installed in the centre, supported at the front end by a length of zig-zagging struts that are moulded as one. The upper wing halves can be glued over the finished underside, covering the landing lights with a clear insert that also extends over the single .303 machine gun in the starboard wing, slipping a barrel stub through the hole before it is secured. The fuselage and wings are then mated, taking care not to dislodge the rear seat during the process, then dealing with any seams that need attention. Turning the model over, additional jacks are inserted into the bay at a counter-intuitive angle, joined to the main leg via a T-shaped strut, as evidenced by two large scrap diagrams that are extremely helpful. While the model is inverted, the space under the chin is covered with an insert that has an air-path added inside, and a two-part auxiliary intake under the front, painting the interior before installing it. The elevators are separate from their flying surfaces, and can be deflected if you wish, each half a single part that plugs into slots in the sides of the aft fuselage. There are twin captive bay doors to the front of each gear leg, plus a mudguard that is shown installed on a pair of scrap diagrams in isolation for clarity, mounting the four-part wheels on the stub-axles at the end of each strut. The model is then flipped back over to install the extensive canopy, gluing the windscreen and central section, plus the sliding pilot’s canopy at the front, and the flip-up gunner’s canopy at the rear, which hinges around grooves moulded into the main canopy part. The wingtip lights are moulded-in, and should be painted green or red as appropriate, finishing the model by inserting a circular plug in the front of the nose, with a short shaft pin behind it, and the three-bladed prop slipped over the shaft, gluing it carefully if you wish it to remain mobile. Markings There are three decal choices on the large sheet, two RAF airframes, one flown by Polish crew, the other a Canadian airframe with a vivid yellow colour scheme overload on standard camouflage, which they all share. From the box you can build one of the following: Battle Mk.I of Polish Air Force in UK, L5048, 301 Sqn., August 1940 Battle Mk.I, K7602, 52*B, 52 Sqn. RAF, United Kingdom, late 1937 Battle Mk.I 1837 (L1837) Coded 59, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canada, before 1943 as a Target Tug The decals are printed using a digital process and have good registration, sharpness, and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut loosely around the printed areas. This means that the carrier film on their decals can be coaxed away from the printed part of the decal after they have been applied, effectively rendering them carrier film free, making the completed decals much thinner and more realistic, and obviating the need to apply successive coats of clear varnish to hide the edges of the carrier film. It’s a great step further in realism from my point of view, and saves a good quantity of precious modelling time into the bargain. Conclusion A new tooling of the much-maligned but well-beloved Battle, with good detail, finely engraved panel lines and choices that include three decal options, plus two other boxings that broaden the choice still further. Buy one or lots, it’s your choice! Highly recommended. In Belgium (FR0046) Poles in UK (FR0047) Australian, South African, British (FR0048) Review sample courtesy of

Here is my 1:48 Leonardo M-346 Bielik, no 7705, 41 Baza Lotnictwa Szkolnego in Dęblin, Polish Air Force, 2022. Italian M-346s are main aircraft for advanced training in Polish Air Force. Original name of M-346 is "Master", but in Poland the name "Bielik" ("white-tailed eagle" or "bald eagle" in Polish) was adopted for them. Kinetic kit + Yahu PE parts for cockpit + AWC Models resin parts for Polish AF version. Painted with Gunze Mr.Color C series paints. Thanks for watching!

HI FELLOW MODELLERS Here is Eduard 1:48 Mig-21PFM (84124) Only 1 decal option as it’s a weekend edition Polish Air Force,1st Squadron of 62nd Fighter Regiment 1994 I purchased a couple of aftermarket items Eduard Mig-21PFM seatbelts Eduard Mig-21PFM TFace Masks (EX638) Coastal Kits 1:48 Vinyl display Airfield sheet Soviet Airfield-06 MR Surfacer Primer grey MRP FINE SURFACE PRIMER black MRP-LPB Paints used MR.HOBBY PAINTS C11 C13 C27 C41 C66 SM01 MC211 MC214 MC218 Tamiya paints X2 XF1 XF85 Vallejo model air 71.331 MR.HOBBY LEVELLING THINNER MRPMT.THINNER Slow Dry MRP VARNISHES MR.HOBBY GX100 Gloss MRP-127 Super clear matt Ammo Panel Line wash An enjoyable Quick build Thanks for looking and Happy Modelling

Good morning everyone… My first RFI for the year. I present to you my 1/72 Eduard MiG-21R based on the MF kit. The Recon pod is Eduard Brassin resin, the wingtip SPO-3 antenna’s are scratch built. This was built in the MiG-21R single type group build. Bort #2111 was received from the factory in the USSR in 1972 and served until retirement. She was one of 36 R-types used by the Polish Air Force. Pictured alongside my 2nd RFI an EA-18G Growler from the Hornet STGB. Yes they're the same scale. Please feel free to visit my build thread. https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235105935-polish-mig-21r/ Dennis

Hello everyone … Seeing as my Cessna build is now in a holding pattern (decals). I thought I would throw my next two high wing builds into the mix. If you’ve listened to me chat over the four years I have talked about a Polish Air Force collection. Not quite the oldest planes in my collection that honor goes to a Nieuport and Albatros D.V In 1920’s Polish A.F. markings. For the P.7a I will be using the Arma kit. And the P.11c is the Azur kit. Please feel free to ask questions, post comments or add thoughts. Dennis

Built this one OOB.I did no add anything extra.The great eduard kit.It fits almost perfect making this a quick build.Paints used are gunze.The varnishes are vallejo and ak.

On holiday this past week so managed to complete another model. Been wanting to build one of the Polish Tiger Meet F-16's for quite a while now, so I got on with it & started the kit earlier in the year. The kit is my go to, for any 1/72 F-16 subject. Goes together with no problems & has a few extra parts for different variants. For the conformal tanks I used the Attack Squadron resin items. These had to be heated & bent to fit the fuselage as they were a bit banana shaped out of the box, but I eventually straitened them out by running scolding hot water over them, which did the trick. Also I knicked a Sniper Pod from the Tamiya kit. The F-16 I've got planned for that kit hasn't been seen flying with one! Everything else was out of the box. I ordered the Model Maker tiger masks for it as they had elements to cover the conformal tanks, but the only parts that stuck were the stripes for the underside & thankfully the Tiger heads on the tail fin, which worked perfectly. Everything else i used Tamiya tape, drew then cut out by hand using tracing paper from the masking set as a guide. I had to use a seperate Model Maker decal sheet for for the markings & stencils, which also came with markings that were applied to the intake & exhaust blanks so I thought it would be a crime not to use them. The blanks also hide the rough innards of the crude Revell intake & featureless insides of the kit exhaust. Paints used were from Ammo Mig. Thanks for looking Martin

Hello Straight from the ‘60’s NATO Group Build. This is a Bilek 1/72 Mig-21 Fishbed “D”. It is in the markings of the Polish Air Force circa 1967. This was the 2nd build for me in that group, the first was an F-102. I will post that later today or tomorrow here in the RFI. Heres a link to the build if you're curious. If you have any Questions, comments, or jokes feel free to post. Dennis

Hi guys. I want to show you my latest build, it´s Kinetics 1:72 F-16D in polish colors. Poland operates a total of 50 F-16C/D, two of them as instructional airframe for ground crew training. The F-16D Jastrzab, Hawk in english, was special painted in this discreet scheme for the Nato Tiger Meet 2011. The Kinetic kit fits well but got not the same quality as Tamiya. I used some extra stuff from Attack Squadron (nozzle, wheels, sniper pod), Quickboost (seats) and Decals from Techmod. The model is mainly painted with Gunze Colors. Daniel

I'll be building the new Kitty Hawk release of the Su-17 Fitter which will be built as a Polish Air Force Su-22M-4 from 8.elt. I have ordered Model Maker decals and I have the Hataka paint set specifically for this aircraft. I also have some Armour wheels, Master pitot set and a few other bits n bobs but I'm not sure what will be used yet.

Hello to all! I'm back with a Mig-29G of the Polish Air Force (ex Luftwaffe) based on Malbork Air Base. Academy kit with much scratch & extras: Neomega resin cockpit. Aires wheel bays, airbrake and exhaust. Brassin wheels. Eduard photoetched set. Dream Model brassed pitot. Quickboost antennas & sensors. Techmod decal sheet. Finished with Gunze & Tamiya paints. Hope you like my Fulcrum! Cheers from Rome, Italy. Polish Fulcrum 8 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 7 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 9 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 10 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 11 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 12 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 13 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 14 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 15 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 16 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 17 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 18 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 19 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 1 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 3 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 4 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 5 by valerio, su Flickr Polish Fulcrum 6 by valerio, su Flickr

Here is my take on IBG's recent release RWD-8 kit. An initial trainer rather like Britain's Tiger Moth, the parasol-winged RWD-8 was made by two manufacturers, DWL for the civilian market and PWL for the military and civil markets. The main difference, sfaik, is in the undercarriage, and the kit helpfully includes both types. The components were quite fine and hard to remove without breaking but overall the build was quite intuitive and went well. The decal option was a little disappointing (a single rather drab civilian flying school example rather than the military version illustrated on the box) so I did some research online and found a crashed example, serial 34-73, which I was able to mock up using my spares box. The Polish chequers on the rudder are undoubtedly too big and the underwing letters/numbers are a litle ropey but passable if you don't look too closely. Overall, a nicely-moulded kit of an attractive little aircraft and an enjoyable build.

These images (amongst the thousands I have) were taken at the Polish Air Force Museum in Krakow in the Fall of 2002. It was a private tour (it helps to speak Polish) but I could use assistance in identifying the aircraft and if they are replicas. I spent most of my time on the WWII - Modern exhibits and picked the staff's brains for those. Aviatik C.III (is it a replica?) Regards,

These models are made up of the Airfix single seater MiG-29A and the Heller two seater MiG-29UB. The build of the aircraft was not modified from the kit, and the decals are from Caracal Decals. These decals are superb and the fit of the parts to make up the circular decal on the spine were brilliant. Any comments are welcome. I am not sure what happened with the last couple of pictures, I think that the battery in the camera was running low, so I will try and get some more when the battery has been recharged.