Eleven "a"

The long-awaited P.11s from IBG Models, 1:72, hit the stores just recently. For now two versions are available - PZL P.11a and a much more niche P.11g. We have to wait a bit longer for the rest. In the meantime I decided to take a look at the first one (The Kobuz, of course, will have its time too).

„A” in 72nd scale

Eleven "a", released by IBG, is a miniature destined for success. For one simple reason- there is no competition whatsoever. There have been some models issued in the past, taking up this subject in 1:72 scale, whether in the form of vacu (JMK) or resin sets (infamous Manufaktura Modelarska), but taking into account materials used and kits quality- forget it. Especially since the availability of these "delicacies" is rather non-existent. Thus, this model automatically became the best available injection moulded miniature of this construction. But is it deserved? We shall see.

The box

Typically for this manufacturer, the set (catalogue number 72517) was packed in a standard, top-opening box with a strongly red character. More observant readers have probably noticed that this is one of the first cases when an IBG product is marked with a new logo, which was recently slightly redone.

The front once again features an illustration by Marcin Górecki, known for the earlier boxarts. This time slightly less appealing, but never mind, box content is what matters. So without further ado- what's inside?

Content

Inside you will find a surprisingly high number of plastic sprues for such a small plane (although lets be real- most of them are quite small).

A4 assembly manual printed in colour on a thick paper.

Bag with photo-etched sheet, transparent film for it and decals.

Quite a lot of "goodies". First of all, let's try to grasp the abundance of injection moulded parts.

Frames, lots of frames

I counted eight made of grey plastic and one transparent. One by one, in alphabetical order, we have frame “A” containing, amongst others things, a radiator.

"B", on which you can find the wheels, but not exclusively.

"C", a little bit bigger, because the major portion of it is occupied by fuselage halves.

"J" with a two-blade propeller and engine cover.

"K" with plethora of transparencies.

"N" with engine and ailerons.

"R" with wings in three pieces.

"T" with rest of the control surfaces and other details.

And finally "V" with, among other things, struts- both for wings and landing gear.

At first glance, it all looks more than decent. How will it turn out after a closer look? After all, macro is a known enemy of model kits. Let's check it out.

Closer inspection

Fuselage is covered with a mixture of recessed and raised details. Panel lines are thin and crisp.

Slightly raised strips running along the fuselage in real machine are marked with recessed panel lines, which is a rather acceptable simplification in this scale. On the other hand, looking at the raised details on the fuselage, I wouldn’t mind if IBG tried to make them this way.

Part of the internal structure is also reproduced and fortunately ignored by the ejector pin marks.

Lower part of the fuselage, with ejectable fuel tank, has been designed as a separate element. IBG did not attempt to copy the solution used in the P.11c kit from Arma Hobby, where the struts were integrated into the equivalent part, making it easier to obtain the correct landing gear geometry. Little bit of missing opportunity here, but we'll see during the assembly.

The engine cover has been reproduced as a single element, thanks to the use of slide moulds. Curiously enough, it is also the part with the largest amount of plastic overflows (also dirty, in my case at least). But don't worry- those are very thin, so this shouldn't be a problem at all.

However, the upper part of the cockpit frame may induce some sweating. When cutting out from the frame, of course, because it is a quite fragile part.

Instrument panel is almost completely flat, if you don't count the raised compass. The dials are provided only as a decals. Pity.

It is well known however, that the most exciting element of the P.11 is the wing, or rather the peculiar surface covering it. I don't know if the number of "grooves" is correct, but the texture is very fine (I'm afraid that for many novice painters it may turn out to be too delicate).

In a few places you can find some kind of micro-damage to the surface, but I don't think anyone would loss some sleep over it after building the model.

The central section of the wing is not grooved, which is correct.

Wing trailing edge is really thin, especially considering that tricky covering. It should be kept in mind, however, that the full edge will only be formed by two glued halves (except for the middle section, where we already have the final thickness).

The lower surfaces of the wing, divided into two parts, looks equally good - with clearly marked raised stripes.

Interestingly, only on the pictures I noticed a certain difference in the finish of the segments (especially on the right wing), normally unnoticeable (well, when you know what to look for, you will notice it eventually). May be a result of some corrections? Who knows.

As you can see from the above pictures, the control surfaces have been designed as separate elements. You will find them on one of the smaller sprues. With fine grooves and thin trailing edges as well. Worries may be caused by the visible (at least in my copy) slight bend of one of the ailerons, but this should be easily adjusted during the assembly.

Right next to the ailerons, we can find the engine. Made as one element, at a fairly decent level. Perhaps not stunning details-wise, but considering how much it will be exposed in a finished miniature- I think that's sufficient.

Vertical stabilizer with a separate rudder also looks very good, with delicate grooves and raised strips.

Similarly, horizontal stabiliser with a separate elevator. Yes- all control surfaces are made as separate parts. Well done IBG!

On the same frame you can also find several elements for the cockpit - floor, part of the framing and pilot's headrest. Plus the horizontal stabilizer's struts...

...and some of the wing's ones.

The rest of the wing's posts can be found on the other sprue...

...along with the main landing gear struts...

...plus the control stick and pilot's seat, which I would consider to be the weakest element of the kit if I didn't already see the windscreen (spoiler, I know).

There is also a second headrest in the frames, intended for a different version of the P.11. Next to it, the main landing gear wheels are located (the rear skid was moulded together with the right half of the fuselage, if someone didn’t noticed).

In addition to wheels, that sprue also hosts an exhaust gas collector, which will require a certain amount of acrobatics during cutting it out.

The armament of the P.11, in form of two Vickers machine guns, can be found on the smallest frame of the set.

In the vicinity of the Venturi nozzles and the radiator, which however pretty, slightly loses details in the middle.

The last grey sprue consists of crankcase cover, prepared as a separate element (see, Arma Hobby?).

Plus a two-blade propeller. For which, given the not so old discussions, IBG will likely receive some backslash on discussion boards. For those "blocks" of plastic at the blades’ bases.

And quite rightly so, because it is one of the few downsides of this set. Arma has learned to do better, so IBG can certainly do it too.

„Glass”

Included transparent sprue looks like a regular component of upcoming P.11 sets from IBG. For a simple reason- it is universal, contains elements for a bunch of different versions. Like the windscreen in several variations or the sliding cover for P.11g. This will probably please modellers who like to be left with some "bonus" after construction.

Less enjoyable however, is the fact that the glass is still a weak point of IBG aircraft kits and, in my opinion, is far too thick.

The set also contains photo-etched elements and film, which allow you to build a windscreen in a more appealing form, but not everyone will be willing to take this route. And while we're at the metal sheet...

PE details

Medium sized photo-etched sheet is also an universal element, hence the multitude of crosshairs or windscreen frames. High quality product, definitely a nice addition.

The fret is accompanied by a transparent film, also universal, containing only elements to make a more realistic windscreen.

Yeah, that's right. It’s a pity that IBG persistently omits the instrument panels in its PE. I think it's an essential element, especially in a miniature of an open-cabin aircraft. I don't know how to explain this aversion, sympathy for Yahu Models?

Decals

The aforementioned instrument panel can be found on a decal sheet printed by the well known Polish Techmod. And, of course, rest of the markings for machines suggested by the manufacturer are also there.

Print quality looks pretty impeccable. Let's take a closer look.

Pretty good, isn't it?

Assembly manual

Brochure has been prepared on the usual quality level of this manufacturer. Thick paper, colour, clear drawings.

I didn't analyse the individual construction steps presented in it too much, but stage 5 seems to suggest installing the plastic instrument panel (part C1) back-to-front. The compass bulge should be rather from the pilot's side.

And once I started to pick on it, I would like to add that it would be nice if the frame listing marked somehow the redundant elements that will not be used during construction. There aren't many of them here (different story with Kobuz), but in my opinion it's just a good practice.

Painting instructions

The manufacturer offered us three 11s with chequerboards. In terms of colours, nothing crazy - we can choose between Polish khaki, Polish khaki and Polish khaki. All the liveries are presented on coloured profiles, which also explain where the appropriate decals should be placed.

The list of suggested paints, in the form of a table, contains references to five popular modelling pallets (Vallejo, Hataka, Life Color, Mr. Hobby, AK Interactive), which in the era of manufacturers strongly promoting one, more or less related brand, deserves to be praised.

I would also like to add that it's nice that the sources (or rather the source) used to prepare the proposed painting options were indicated.

3x11

As mentioned above, we can make one out of three machines from the set. Known from the box-art P.11 from the 112th Fighter Squadron.

Machine from 114 Fighter Squadron, with side number and emblem partially painted over with basic camouflage colour.

Distinguished by white stripes (disputable how many) eleven from the 113th Fighting Squadron.

So it's not as boring as it might seem at first glance.

Worth it?

This is how the first injection moulded P.11, the "a" variant, looks like. Was it worth the wait? In my opinion, definitely yes. We received a high quality product, both in terms of design and execution. The quality of injection moulding is basically top-notch, occasional plastic overflows are small, and there is virtually no sinkmarks. Some of the decisions made during the design of the miniature, such as the control surfaces as separate elements, are also very welcomed.

It is not, of course, a model without any flaws. Transparencies for example definitely stands out (in the bad way) from the rest of injection moulded parts. A decent instrument panel would also be desirable. Not mentioning the radiator, as it seems to be an impossible element to made in plastic on a satisfying level.

In total however, the kit shortcomings are rather minor and in my opinion should not spoil the pleasure of building the new proposition from IBG Models. But it remains to be seen.

Waiting for more, IBG.

MMXIX