IBG models PZL P.11c. Finished

[Clunkmeister]

We had a bit of fun tonight, finalizing the fuselage interior. As I don’t do ‘open’, I’m closing the multitude of very nicely done service hatches. 

The empty space between the cockpit and engine is where the jettisonable fuel tank is located  

[Clunkmeister]

Let’s look at the tail feathers.  There is some truly exquisite molding work here. Previous to this, I have only seen this level of detail on a resin model.

Truly by far, the absolute best I’ve ever seen.

[HubertB]

5 hours ago, Clunkmeister said:

Thanks Richard. I think I have the color pretty darn close.  I’m going to use it, but will modulate it somewhat on the model.

But I’m grabbing some Hataka paint as well. 

That airplane is a true National Treasure!  The only one left anywhere in the world. I will get to Kraków to see it in person one of these years.

I’m surprised they even run the engine and taxi it around the field. I hope they shut down air traffic for miles when they do. I’d hate to see it get T-Boned by Mom and Pop in their Cessna Out Dvorak a joyride on some Sunday afternoon. 

I can understand the Polish not wanting to fly it.....

This museum is a real gem. Besides the P11c, they have some absolutely unique examples of WWI German aircrafts, which were transferred in 1943 from the Berlin Air Museum ... And many others, and you can get real close to them.

Plus Krakow is also an absolute gem in itself. Been there four times now, and always love it.

Hubert

[DocRob]

8 hours ago, RZP303 said:

Don't know if this will help, but these are a couple of photos I took two years ago on a trip to Poland.

Great pics Richard, thank you. I wonder if the P11 in their time sported a high gloss finish, the colourways hard to read historical photos seem to indicate matte finish.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

Ernie, this is looking great, with only manageable effort it seems possible to build a halfed model, showing all the components, hint .

Cheers Rob

[HubertB]

And, btw, this is what will go in the Post. I need to check where I have stored your address...

Hubert

 

[Martinnfb]

I am falling in love here.

[Martinnfb]

[harv]

Me too Martin.......harv

[Clunkmeister]

hubert, I intend on doing a couple things on the Continent in the next couple years or so, one is to get to Moson, and the other is to get to Krakow. We need to get together when that happens.

[Clunkmeister]

10 hours ago, DocRob said:

Ernie, this is looking great, with only manageable effort it seems possible to build a halfed model, showing all the components, hint .

Cheers Rob

hahaha. yes, I know, Rob. I'm just not an "open hatches" sort of builder. I like my models closed up and ready for flight.  Everytime I see a model with all inspection panels open, cowls off, flaps fully deployed, and everything else hanging off, I think it should be up on stands, getting the gear swung, and being signed off for a major inspection, not sitting there on a ramp, fully armed and bombed up....

just a personal thing for me, although I appreciate the artistry and extra work involved in opening a model up.

I know when I was flying for a living, if I had walked out of the hut and seen my airplane sitting there with all the panels open, I'd have asked "how many days will it be down for this time."

 

[Clunkmeister]

The other thing I need to do is to get to Bratislava and find out if all the people there are as crazy as the one I know from there.

 

[Martinnfb]

[Clunkmeister]

8 minutes ago, Martinnfb said:

So, is that the Stay Puft marshmallow man, the Michelin man, or the Pillsbury Doughboy?

Or maybe my ex wife?

[Martinnfb]

be a man , build a snowman on a crosswalk

and then' traditions.... 

[RZP303]

12 hours ago, DocRob said:

Great pics Richard, thank you. I wonder if the P11 in their time sported a high gloss finish, the colourways hard to read historical photos seem to indicate matte finish.

Cheers Rob

Thanks Rob. Looking at photos and reference books, the paint was not nearly as glossy as the Museum example. It appears that the finishes seen at the time ranged from quite matte to a slight sheen. I imagine the glossy paint finish on the Museum restoration is easier to maintain. 

Richard

Here is are a couple of photos from 1939, 112 Eskadra. One of them is a P.11a, but its finish looks quite fresh and more matte.

 

[CrankyCrafstman]

This is a great build Ernie! You've done some fantastic work here. Not my cup a tea,but still following along to see your fantastic work.

Ron G 

[Clunkmeister]

You know, there's one thing we always seem to miss when we build a pre war airplane. that thing is apparent on the P.11a.

Without fail, the very first thing every last pilot in the entire world who flown either an open cockpit or moveable canopy aircraft learns is to toss his shouklder straps outside before he gets in and sits down. If for no other reason than that it's so much easier to pull them in  and over your shoulders from the outside than iot is to fight to untangle them from the whatever the buckles end up hooking on. No matter how hard you try, the metal ends always snag something, a flap lever, seat frame, trim wheel, or whatever.  Or worse, having to squirm around trying to pull them out from under your fat arse.  I gotta remember to do that each and every time I build something with an open cockpit, or with an open canopy.

 

 

[Clunkmeister]

So a bit of build time has been found these last couple days. 
The fuselage is together and the hatches are closed. 
There are very few gaps although around the tail fin fillet, I need to do a bit of work yet, but that’s on me, not the kit. 

[BlrwestSiR]

It looks really nice there Ernie. I like how you've highlighted the surface detail. Even if it isn't permanent, it really shows how fine it is. 

Carl

[Sir Desmond Glazebrook]

Great work Ernie. The detail is beautiful on the kit. The close up photos of the tailplane show the level very well. If I am still around after this virus I must get one. 

Thanks so much for this build/review. 

[HubertB]

You need to remember that the P11 did not have any trim tabs on the elevators, but rather movable tailplanes. There should be a visible gap under the fin-fillet.

Hubert

[Clunkmeister]

13 hours ago, HubertB said:

You need to remember that the P11 did not have any trim tabs on the elevators, but rather movable tailplanes. There should be a visible gap under the fin-fillet.

Hubert

Whew!  

Thanks Hubert. I was about to fill that.

[Clunkmeister]

So the belly pan and fuel tank are installed. 

 

[Clunkmeister]

Now, the wings have several options as to configuration.

With wing guns or without. Either 2, 1, or no bomb racks under each wing.  I chose two bombs per wing and wing guns. If you’re going to war, have all the tools in your belt!

The various inserts are all served up on one sprue. 

The fit here is excellent  

 

Absolutely make sure you install the gun inserts BEFORE you glue the wing halves together  Doing otherwise will make for interesting results.  Oh, and these parts are handed, so make sure you put them on the correct sides.

 

One side fit extremely well, the other side needs a bit of work.