PZL P.11c Expert Set

Arma Hobby, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Graham Carter

The PZL P.11 was a Polish fighter aircraft, designed and constructed during the early 1930s by Warsaw-based aircraft manufacturer PZL. Possessing an all-metal structure, metal-covering, and high-mounted gull wing, the type held the distinction of being widely considered to have briefly been the most advanced fighter aircraft of its kind in the world.

The design of the P.11 commenced during the late 1920s, initially designated as the P.1. The primary individual responsible for its development was Polish aeronautical engineer Zygmunt Pulawski, who has been attributed as having designed many of its innovative features. While the majority of the world's forces were still using biplanes, the P.1 used a high-mounted and aerodynamically clean gull wing, which provided the pilot with a superior field of view.

During September 1929, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. The design quickly drew international attention; the general layout became commonly known as the "Polish wing" or "Pulawski wing". The P.11 served as Poland's primary fighter defence throughout the 1930s, including during the Polish campaign of 1939 by neighbouring Nazi Germany. However, as a consequence of the rapid advances in aircraft design during the late 1930s (seen in such fighters as the Messerschmitt Bf 109), it was outclassed by its rivals at the onset of the war.

The majority of the Polish Air Force's P.11s were destroyed during 1939; however, it is believed that as many as 36 were flown to Romania and were subsequently taken over by the Romanian Air Force. The P.11 was a considerable export success. During October 1933, deliveries of Polish-built P.11bs to Romania commenced.

From 1936, Romanian aircraft manufacturer Industria Aeronautica Romana (IAR) constructed a further 95 aircraft under the designation of IAR P.11f, powered by the Romanian-built IAR 9Krse engine.

A dedicated export model of the P.11, which was designated as the PZL P.24, was developed during the late 1930s. Reportedly, Greece, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Turkey and Republican Spain were at one point interested in procuring the P.11; these eventually resulted in several nations, including Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey purchased the P.24 instead.*

Arma Hobby has extended its PZL.11 family to include an "Expert Set" version.

This is different to the other Arma PZL.11 kits as it includes a brass plated photo-etched fret, self-adhesive die-cut masks and decals printed by Cartograf, not Techmod as found in the other versions.

Arma Hobby's 1/72 scale PZL P.11c Expert Set comprises 41 parts in grey plastic, two parts in clear plastic; photo-etched fret; printed clear acetate film; self-adhesive die cut masking sheet; markings for four aircraft.

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Thumbnail panels:

The grey plastic parts are delivered on one large sprue.

Moulding quality is excellent, with no flash, flaws or visible moulding imperfections on my sample. There are a couple of minor sink marks on the wing support struts though.

The parts are moulded with a satin finish.

Surface textures are just gorgeous. Panel lines, corrugated surfaces, raised strips and other structural details are crisp, fine and consistent.

Cockpit details are very good, with the plastic seat, "bottomless" floor and side frames enhanced with photo-etched parts.

The instrument panel is a sandwich of photo-etch for the face, printed clear film for the dials and a back panel of plastic. Although I cannot see it mentioned in the instructions, there is also a nice colour decal supplied if you prefer that option.

Parts breakdown is conventional. The fuselage is broken down into left and right halves with the fin supplied as a separate part, while the gull wing comprises full span upper and lower parts.

The landing gear legs are cleverly moulded as a single part with a chunk of the lower fuselage. No alignment problems here!

The engine is made up from only two pieces - including the spinner - but detail still looks good. The engine cowling s supplied as top and bottom halves with a separate forward cowl that has collector ring detail moulded in place. Very nice.

The clear windscreen is thin and clear.

An unused option for the PZL P.7a is also included on the sprue.

The self-adhesive, die-cut sheet provides masking for the main wheels and the windscreen.

Marking Options

Markings are supplied on a small bit quite luxurious decal sheet printed by Cartograf. It is glossy in finish and registration is perfect on my sample.

The choices are:

1. PZL P.11c, 113. Fighter Squadron from Warsaw, in 1939 in the Pursuit Brigade. Airplane of 1st Lt. Hieronim Dudwal (4 victories in September 1939). Before the war this aircrafrt was also armed with wing MGs, removed in 1939.

2. PZL P.11c after new camouflage tests in the Aviation Technical Institute. In 1939, this aircraft was assigned to one of the squadrons of the Pursuit Brigade. Crashed near Pultuks during an operational sortie.

3. PZL P.11c, 131. Fighter Squadron from Poznan, in 1939 in „Poznan” Army. After encirclement by the Germans on 17th September 2nd Lt. Henryk Bibrowicz (2 victories) and 2nd Lt.  Lech Grzybowski (2 victories) flew this airplane to Malaszewicze airbase and left it there. After the outbreak of war, squadron markings on the fuselage and national markings on the wing upper surface were overpainted.

4. PZL P.11c, 141. Fighter Squadron from Torun, in 1939 in „Pomorze” Army. On 2nd September this aircraft, during attack against German motorised column, was shot down and Cpt. Florian Laskowski, III/4 Wing Commander, died.

Arma Hobby has quickly established itself as a high quality model company and this impressive 1/72 scale PZL.11c can only enhance that reputation.

* Historical summary courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks to Arma Hobby for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2020 by Brett Green
Page Created 27 April, 2020
Last updated 28 April, 2020

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