Eduard's 1/72 scale
Avia S-199
in Czechoslovak Service

by Brett Green

Here is my sixth build for 2023 - Eduard's 1:72 scale ProfiPACK MEZEK Avia S-199 in Czechoslovak and Israeli Service Limited Edition Dual Combo, Kit No. 2141

The model went together smoothly, as you would expect from any recent Eduard offering.

I mostly followed the instructions but I chose to substitute some of the photo-etched parts such as the rudder pedals, trim wheel and canopy / windscreen trim with the optional plastic parts. I also used the plastic instrument panel, carefully painting and dry-brushing the dials and bezels.

I spent a bit of time painting the cockpit tub and the sidewalls. I painted up the sidewalls before I removed the fuselage halves from the sprues. This made handling easier while painting.

The kit is cleverly designed. Of particular note is the main undercarriage. Bf 109 gear legs are notoriously tricky to align for the correct rake and splay. For this model, Eduard has moulded long, rectangular profile locating tabs that should set accurate leg angles when pushed all the way in. I am hesitant to say they’re completely foolproof, but you’d have to work hard to get it wrong!

One of the few design elements that I did not like was the tail wheel, which must be trapped between the fuselage halves quite early in the assembly process. Inevitably, I broke off the tail strut while assembling the model.

The pitot tube and antenna mast are also moulded to the wing and fuselage. These too are easily broken off during assembly or painting. The DF loop is mercifully a separate part with the choice of plastic or photo-etch.

Apart from these minor issues – which Eduard has addressed in their new 1:72 scale Bf 109 F kits – assembly was straightforward and fit was excellent.

Eduard has really done their homework with this home-grown post-war development of the Messerschmitt Bf 109.

With gorgeous surface textures, an impressive level of detail with no compromise considering its small scale and many useful options, this little gem will be hard to keep in the box.

USD$54.45 looks like great value for two highly detailed multimedia kits too.

I’ll be writing this one up for two articles in Issues 218 and 219 of Model Airplane International magazine.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Model and Text Copyright © 2023 by Brett Green
Page Created 20 July, 2023
Last Updated 20 July, 2023

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