Servus Chlapci
Zlin Z-37 Cmelak (Bumblebee)

Eduard, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Zlin Z-37 Cmelak (Czech: "Bumblebee"), also known as the LET Z-37, is an agricultural aircraft that was manufactured in Czechoslovakia from 1965 to 1975, then from 1983 to 1984.

It is powered by a Soviet-built Ivchenko reciprocating engine. The aircraft is used mainly as a cropduster.

The main user of the Z-37 was Czechoslovakia along with East Germany and other Eastern Bloc countries.

Many were exported to the Sudan and India and flown there almost non-stop with the hopper used as an extra fuel tank.

Variants were used are as far afield as England and the USA.

Current use is limited because of fuel costs and they are now mainly used in Slovakia.

Many are used for glider towing, having the ability to easily tow two gliders and often transport four gliders in tow for cross country. A record was set by a Z 137T in Slovakia, towing nine two-seat gliders.

(Edited from Wikipedia)

Who would have expected that we would see a world class long-run injection moulded of a Cold War era Czech agricultual aircraft?

Well, we now have just that, and very nice it is!

Eduard's Servus Chlapci boxing (which I think translates roughly to "Cheers boys!", probably a reference to the box art depicting a low pass of two aircraft over a farmer on his tractor), contains two complete 1/72 scale Zlin Z-37 Cmelak (Bumblebee) kits.

Each kit comprises just 69 parts in dark grey plastic (including three marked not for use) and five parts in clear. Also included are canopy and winch masks, a single resin figure and decals for twelve colourful options.

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Thumbnail panels:

The structural surfaces are very striking. This utilitarian aircraft featured prominent pressed metal, separate panels, rivets and more.

Eduard has done a fantastic job with the strtched fabric effect, the raised corrugations, crisp recessed panels lines and selected rows of rivets.

The cockpit is well fitted out with seat, floor, control column, side consoles and instrument panel, enhanced with pre-coloured photo-etched parts.

Three different styles of instrument panel and side consoles are included. The instructions clearly indicate which options goes with which colour scheme. If you don't like photo-etch (and there are those out there who don't), plastic cockpit parts with raised details are available as an option.

Parts breakdown is conventional, with left and right fuselage halves, full span lower wing and separate upper wing halves.

The engine is made up from two parts. The cylinders, crank case and pushrods are moulded as a single part. These will look good after careful painting, but will be mostly obscured by the fan, which is moulded with the front cowl ring.

Flaps are separate parts. These appear to be Fowler flaps with two trailing sections per side, but there is no option to depict the flaps dropped.

Leading edge slats, elevators and the rudder are separate parts too. The rudder and elevators may be posed to taste.

Optional parts are included for the glider tug version including the winch under the fuselage and associated equipment.

Under wing hopper tanks, presumably for pesticide or extra fuel, are also supplied.

Alternative mirrors are offered, as is the choice of photo-ethced or plastic steps.

The clear parts are thin and free from distortion. The clear side windows double as the entry hatch, hinged forward. This is not mentioned in the instructions but it would be easy enugh to glue either or both the hatches in the open position.

Self-adhesive die-cut masks are included for the windsceeen, side hatches and the upper section of the winch.

A single veteran pilot figure is provided in resin.

His right arm is a separate part and casting quality is excellent.

Markings:

Decals are produced by Eduard.

Colour saturation and registration looks good.

This is one of the nicest 1/72 scale kits that I have ever seen. The surface textures are simply beautiful - the closer you get, the better it looks.

The bright schemes add even more interest to this unique package.

It's good value too considering there are two full kits, a resin figure and a big, aftermarket-quality decal sheet in the box.

If you are looking for something a bit different or a simple palate cleanser after a complex build, consider this little jewel!

Thanks to Eduard for the sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 7 January, 2021
Last updated 7 January, 2021

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