Export P.11

IBG Models from Poland is slowly but consistently expanding its range of pre-war gull-wing PZL fighters in 1:72. This time let's take a closer look at the P.11b set, which became available some time ago.

Nothing

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't recall any injection moulded kits featuring the first Romanian “eleven” in this scale. Vacu? Resin? No, not really. So it seems that we have a pretty strong contender for the “best model of this version in 1:72” title.

P.11b, but which one?

OK, but which version are we really talking about? After all, there were two series of “B” model produced – just slightly different, but nevertheless different from each other. The first 20 aircraft (“K” series) manufactured for the Romanian customer did not have the ring-type exhaust manifolds, but individual exhaust pipes like PZL P.7. The rest of the supplied machines (“L” series) had the mentioned manifolds and thus slightly longer engine covers. The machines delivered as P.11b-K were over time also brought to the P.11b-L standard.

IBG Models seems to ignore this. Kit content allows only “late” configuration of the model i.e. P.11b-L. What's more, taking into account the manufacturer's previous announcements, there is little to no chance of “early” version to be released. But who knows.

Box

The set titled “PZL P.11b Fighter in Romanian Service” is identified by catalog number 72518 and packed in a typical IBG box. Opened from the top, reddish, with boxart by Marcin Górecki.

Inside – a multitude of plastic sprues, mostly familiar looking to compulsive buyers of P.11 kits from this manufacturer.

Decal sheet, universal photo-etched plate with a transparent film and an assembly manual are of course also included.

Plastic overview

Sprue “G” makes its debut in the Romanian box, containing mainly the fuselage, but also some other details.

As well as the “P” one with three pieces gull-wing.

Rest of the sprues is rather well known. “A” contains guns and a radiator, among other things.

“B” provides us with the wheels.

“J” with a two-blade propeller and engine cover.

“K” with transparencies.

“T” with control surfaces and some other details.

“V” with struts – both for wings and the landing gear.

It is hard to talk about “first impression”, knowing some of those sprues from many previous sets, but still – it all looks quite promising.

Closer inspection

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

Slightly raised metal strips running along the real machine fuselage are marked with recessed panel lines, which is a rather acceptable simplification in this scale.

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. Standard in IBG’s P.11s.

The engine cover has been provided as a single element, thanks to the use of slide moulds.

Supplemented by an exhaust gas manifold, which will require a certain amount of finesse during handling.

Not far away on the same sprue we can find the engine. Single-piece, but fairly decent. Perhaps not stunning details-wise, but considering how much will be exposed in a finished miniature – I think this will be sufficient for many modellers.

Nearly completely blank instrument panel, designed only for decal application, will probably have fewer fans.

On the other hand, separated ailerons (also a standard in this series of kits) are very welcome.

The last elements included in the same sprue are parts of the fuselage framework. Plastic, so rather on the thick side.

Second completely new sprue is filled with parts of the characteristic “Pulawski wing”. With a fine grooved surface texture and a quite thin trailing edge.

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

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

Similarly, horizontal stabiliser with a separate elevator.

The same sprue provides 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 ones.

Rest of the wing posts can be found on the other sprue...

...along with the main landing gear struts.

Plus the control stick and pilot's seat, which can easily compete for “the worst element in the set” prize.

From sprue “B” this time we will only need the main landing gear wheels (the rear skid was moulded with the right half of the fuselage, if someone didn’t noticed).

P.11’s armament can be found on the smallest sprue in the box

In the vicinity of the Venturi nozzles and the radiator, which looks passable for a plastic one.

The last grey sprue provides crankcase cover, prepared as a separate element.

Plus a two-blade propeller. Moulded together with the spinner.

Not the best idea if you ask me. Just unnecessary trouble (unless one doesn't mind the excess plastic at the base of the blades).

“Glass”

Included transparent sprue is a regular component of P.11/P.24 sets from IBG. It’s universal, contains elements for a bunch of different versions. 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. In my opinion is just far too thick.

The set also contains photo-etched elements and film, which allow you to build more appealing cockpit glazing, but I bet 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 piece, definitely a nice addition.

The fret is accompanied by a transparent film, also universal, containing only elements to make a thinner cockpit glazing.

IBG persistently omits instrument panels in PE sheets, providing only a flat plastic element and a decal, which in my opinion is just disappointing.

Decals

The sheet was printed by Polish Techmod and contains markings for three machines suggested by the manufacturer.

We will find here the aforementioned instrument panel (rather average), side numbers and a PZL logo.

But the majority of the space is occupied by Romanian national insignias, both pre-war roundels and later ones.

The print quality is difficult to criticize. Colour shifting or other errors are non-existent.

Assembly manual

Brochure was prepared with the standard quality level for this manufacturer. Thick paper, colour, clear drawings.

In line with the set's title, there are only Romanian machines available, presented with colourful side views which also illustrate arrangement of the decals.

List of suggested paints contains references to six popular modelling pallets (Vallejo, Hataka, Life Color, Mr. Hobby, AK Interactive and Mission Models).

3xb

As mentioned before, we can build one of three Romanian P.11b. Uniformly painted machine with side number 44.

Kit painting option (IBG Models)

A more varied “25” in tricolour camouflage.

Kit painting option (IBG Models)

And an interesting, although in my opinion aesthetically dubious, mottled “23”.

Kit painting option (IBG Models)

So the choice, despite the limitation of subject matter, is relatively varied.

Summary

"B" may not have been the most anticipated version of the P.11, but it is a welcome addition to the gull-wing PZL family. Even if there is still some gap to be addressed (early PZL P.11b-K). Plus the kit content looks really tempting, despite the quite obvious "minus points for the lack of Polish painting option".

Not to mention that after "a" and "b" it is finally time for "c".

MMXXI