P.11 for experts
Polish wings enthusiasts, focused on 1:72 scale, shouldn’t be bored recently. Every now and then we get another brand new kit to build with red-white chequerboards, mostly thanks to couple of manufactures from Vistula land. Like this P.11c miniature just released by Arma Hobby. Let’s check it out.
Not so good old days
Few years ago, if you wanted to build 1:72 “eleven” fighter, you most likely ended up struggling with Mastercraft (now cunningly dressed up as Mistercraft) product- a distant descendant from the kit released in the eighties by PZW Siedlce. Unless you somehow obtained elusive Heller kit, or gravitated towards masochistic pleasure of punishing yourself with ZTS Plastyk relic. None of this possibilities was ideal, to say the least.
In 2013 situation changed a little- Azur from Czech Republic jumped on the topic. However, short-run kits released as a result, didn’t get too much love from P.11 aficionados.
Thankfully, now the situation looks much better. IBG Models announced new kit of discussed aeroplane and Arma Hobby just recently made one- releasing two boxing at once. “Expert Set” (catalogue number 70015) dedicated to experienced modellers and “Junior Set” (catalogue number 70016) for beginners. Both are based on the same plastic sprue (yes- one), the difference lays in the added goods (PE, masks) and amount of paint schemes. I will focus below on the richer set, which is in my opinion the more interesting option.
Expert
The kit is packed in aesthetic box designed in line with look of this publishing series. On the top- nice boxart made by Marcin Górecki, whose works you may have seen on earlier kits from Arma Hobby and IBG Models.
But what’s inside? One light grey plastic sprue, tiny transparent one with windscreen (known from earlier P.7 miniature), masks, small photo-etched fret, instruction manual (plus erratum slip) and decals.
All nicely packed in separate zip bags makes good first impression and I only wish manufacturer chose solid two part top opening box, like in the Iskra Deluxe kit, instead of this standard side-opening one. But that just a trivial detail.
Plastic
As I mentioned earlier, all main elements of this rather small aircraft were cast on one common sprue of light grey colour. Although there are some moulding imperfections present, it is impossible to deny that the producer learns from its mistakes and the model looks better than the previous 1:72 P.7, released not so long ago.
You can find some flash here and there, but it is really thin, so there should be no problem with removing it. Unfortunately there are also sinkholes present on certain parts, but we return to them later.
Let’s look closer, starting with the fuselage marked with recessed panel lines of rather acceptable thickness. I would be more afraid that their depth is insufficient, taking into account modellers that lays more abundant layers of paint on the models.
Inside- some raised construction details and equipment plus ejector pins markings as a bonus. Including one in a rather malicious place, though let’s be honest- in finished miniature this area will not be exposed too much.
But who cares about fuselage- wings are probably a much more interesting subject for a lot of modellers. Grooving is very delicate and probably will not be visible in many finished miniatures. Segments are separated by recessed lines, which even before the kit release spark some controversy, yet in my opinion is just a completely acceptable compromise.
The "rivet lines", visible in some of the recessed borders, are probably residues of form's machining process. However, those are so delicate that should not cause any problems.
Corrections will be required in the central area of the wing's top part, where model designer has gone a bit too far with the grooving. The most inner segments of individual wings which in the model received this feature (and has a characteristic deflection of the surface), should be smooth.
The bottom part of the wings looks similar, with additional delicate convex strips, obviously not present on the upper surfaces (not picking on the Azur model).
Ejector chutes were cast as integral parts of the wing, however according to my limited knowledge- there should be no difference between them, and here we got left one and right one.
Horizontal stabilizer with elevators shows the same level of surface detail as wings - delicate grooving, convex slats on the lower surfaces.
Similar case with a vertical stabilizer, cast together with the rudder and mast for the aerial.
Fragment of the hull's front part, containing the ejectable fuel tank, was cast as a separate element along with the landing gear struts, which greatly simplifies the issue of determining the correct geometry of those.
However, according to the erratum slip added to the instruction- this element will require special attention. The upper ends of the struts, which overlap the edge of the plating, should be slightly cut down so that everything would fit well.
Engine unit was cast as a whole with mount cover, so it does not stuns us with plethora of details. It’s a pity that Arma Hobby ceased production of resin elements not so long ago (and withdrew the Attack Squadron brand from the market).
The exhaust manifold with a two-part engine cover (difficult word: Townend ring) will, however, severely limit the visibility of the motor.
The propeller-hub assembly, which caused so much excitement in the case of earlier P.7 model, was divided differently this time. The propeller is cast in its entirety as an independent part.
Whereas spinner consists of two elements. This looks better than fiddling with individual blades, doesn’t? In addition, to not forget about the most important- the propeller can spin (at this point you can stop reading, everything important was just said).
There is no deflection on the main wheels- maybe specially for those interested in building model “in the fly”? Anyway, we won't get any resin substitutes for now.
Now let's take a peek inside the cockpit. The protuberances on the insides of the hull halves are not the only internal structure details designed in the model. There are also sections of the truss cast as separate parts and of course, as often in the case of plastic elements, those are quite thick.
Next on the sprue we can find wing struts, unfortunately with sinkholes. In this case, however, that will not be a problem difficult to solve.
Unfortunately, similar moulding imperfections are also noticeable on some small parts of cockpit equipment, like instrument panel or headrest.
Seat for one-man crew has already flashed on one of the previous photos, but for the record- here it is.
There are also other details, such as a control stick, gun barrels or a Venturi nozzle.
Finally, let’s look at the weakest plastic part from the kit. An oil cooler is not the easiest element to reproduce in injection moulding (hence, for example, Azur decided to use resin), but Arma Hobby take isn’t that bad. Unless we take into account this nasty shrinkage of material in the middle.
Let’s not forget, however, about the second sprue, which contains transparent parts. Yes- parts, because in addition to the P.11 windscreen, we also get the similar element from P.7 completely free!
On more serious note, "glass" makes a good impression- quite thin, fairly transparent, without blemishes. Well, maybe a little bit of polishing would not hurt, but it's definitely OK.
Accesories
But "Expert Set" is not just a plastic. For starter, there is a small sheet with masks for painting wheels and cockpit windscreen, to make your modelling easier. You will not find this in the "Junior" edition.
A small photo-etched fret contains both interior elements (e.g. seatbelts), as well as several external details (e.g. gunsight) and is obviously a welcomed addition. Perhaps with the exception of the handles mounted in front of the cockpit- flat elements are quite inadequate for this role.
There is of course a transparent film with printed dials attached to the PE set. This, to some extent, solves the problem of deformed plastic instrument panel. If only you are able to accept the black dials for all instruments.
Decals
The decals sheet from the kit was printed by the well-known Cartograf from Italy and allows you to make one of four machines, all with red-white chequerboards.
A closer inspection of the print does not spoil the good first impression. Markings are detailed and clear, without colour shifts or other production errors.
There is also an alternate instrument panel on the sheet, this time with more colourful indicators backgrounds.
In addition to this- some stencils, a starter manual (to put in the vicinity of the windscreen), "Stomil" logo for tires and so on.
4x11
Arma Hobby proposed four paint options for this kit. Three machines in standard khaki livery plus an unique one- with experimental camouflage and white number 3 on the side.
Marking options included in the kit (Arma Hobby)
Each option is presented in the manual on four, colour drawings, which also contains information about the decals positions. Paints suggested by the manufacturer come from the Hataka’s palette, which is not a surprise. Nonconformists, on the other hand, can choose different one basing on the FS numbers, which are also listed.
Manual
Standard for this manufacturer, with tightly packed assembly drawings (which in my opinion slightly reduces its readability). In addition, the manual for photo-etched parts is a separate module, which is not a good choice if you ask me.
Sample assembly drawings and erratum (Arma Hobby)
The set also includes an erratum slip, explaining how to modify one of the plastic elements (what was mentioned earlier), which suggests some fitting problems related to this part.
Summary
I am positively disappointed with the new Arma Hobby kit. Earlier P.7 didn’t make me optimistic and I didn’t expect much. But the new release is quite good, certainly better than I hoped. Of course this is not a model without flaws- see, for example, the sinkholes on some elements. The overall impression is however quite good. Oh well, you could even say that this is the best injection moulded P.11 currently available on the market!
The longer I look at the sprues, the more I want to build it. Which I probably won’t do anyway. And on this positive note...
MMXVIII