Avia B-534 SVZ

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

Eduard's 1/48 scale Avia B-534 is available online from Squadron.com
 

Eduard’s Avia B-534 makes another welcome appearance, this time in the guise of a “limited edition” release.

There are 112 plastic parts in this kit, 5 of which are clear to cater for the cockpit transparencies. All of these items exhibit sharp, crisp detail with little or no flash to contend with. As is the norm with these releases, there is a photo-etched fret that contains both standard and pre-coloured pieces. The latter numbers 16 out of a total of 66 parts and the printed registration was perfect.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

The cockpit alone comprises of nearly 35 parts and this really makes the area look “busy”. Intelligent use is made of the p-e parts which take care of the coloured seatbelts, control levers, gun trigger, instrument panel and more. The interior structure is replicated in plastic and the finesse of these items keeps everything as near to scale as possible.

The radiator grills also benefit from etched metal and careful dry fitting of all the internals will ensure that the fuselage halves mate perfectly.

Assembly of the flying surfaces is next and these are masterful pieces of moulding. They slot reassuringly into their location points and the instructions make sure the lower wings are set at the correct dihedral. Each rib tape is represented by two finely engraved panel lines. Between these is a subtle reproduction of the stitching which looks superb under a coat of paint. The trailing edges are razor sharp with no distortion anywhere to be seen.

To complete the model, a rigging diagram is provided, though care must be used to locate the fuselage entry points. There are no moulded indentations for reference and resorting to the box top art doesn’t help to clarify matters either.

A welcome surprise with this aircraft is the inclusion of etched metal termination points for the main cables. No holes are provided in the p-e so it’s up to the modeller to determine how best to attach the rigging.

The canopy can be displayed in the open or closed position. Separate parts are provided for each choice and all items are commendably thin and display excellent clarity.

Rounding out the package, one gets a set of masks that allows for easy painting of the wheels, aforementioned canopy, and even the overlapping upper surface camouflage.

For the avid badge collector, a very nice pin is also supplied.

Markings

Five interesting examples are presented in the instruction booklet although only 4 are displayed in colour. Surprisingly for an Eduard release, the decal sheet in my example was printed slightly out of register.

The colours were good however, and the carrier film was commendably thin.

• Avia B-534 s/n 245, Slovakia, 1939-40

• Avia B-534 “White L 8”, No. 12 Flight, Slovak Air Force, Eastern Front, 1941

• Avia B-534 “White S-18”, Slovak Air Forces, Eastern Front, after June 1941

• Avia B-534 “White S-13”, Combined Flight of Slovak National Uprising armed forces, Tri Duby, Slovakia, September – October 1944.

• Avia B-534 s/n 243, Slovakia, November 9, 1939

Clearly Eduard has pulled out all the stops for this aircraft. It holds a special place in their country’s history and as such receives the attention to detail it deserves.

The moulding is exquisite and this can be seen on every aspect of the airframe. The fuselage stringers are especially worthy of mention, as is the useful fret of photo-etched parts, and masks.

Once again Eduard has produced a package that allows another fine replica to be built of this intriguing design.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2010 by Rob Baumgartner
Page Created 8 February, 2010
Last updated 8 February, 2010

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page