Mirage Hobby 1/48th PZL 11c

reviewed by Steve Jantscher 

Kit Summary

Catalog Number:	MRG48103
Plastic Quality:	B+
Photoetch Quality:	A
Decal Quality:	B+
Instructions Quality:	A

The Pzl 11c shares the distinction of being the first aerial victim of Axis attack and the perpetrator of the first kill of an Axis aircraft. On September 1, 1939 the Pzl flown by Capt. Mieczyslaw Medwecki was shot down by Stuka pilot Frank Neubert, while a little later on the same morning the Captain's wing man Sub lieutenant Wladyslaw Gnys, surviving the attack by Neubert, found and downed two Do 17Es.

This kit from Mirage does not represent either of those first aircraft or their markings, but rather an experimental Polish aircraft wearing a rare two tone camouflage scheme, and a Rumanian bird. The kit markings are for a late model two machine gun version, but the four machine gun "early" version can also be built with the included parts.

I like the quality of this kit, reminding me very much of early Eduard high pressure injection molded kits. The pieces have recessed panel lines, and nicely textured fabric wing panels. The panel lines are just a notch below Tamiya / Hasegawa quality. Some of the plastic spru gates are a bit large, but will clean up nicely. The included photo etch is that small bit of extra detail that makes this a real bargain. The one resin bit is a radiator. I can't figure out why Mirage did it in resin as it doesn't have much detail. The decals are printed by Techmod. I'm not sure who they are, but the decals look to be very thin and are in register. The instructions are clear and informative.

One of the benefits of doing these open box previews is the occasion to find a real jewel, and take it home for my own. I hope to do that with this kit, and add place it next to my Hasegawa Hs 129 in Rumanian markings.
 

This kit fills an important gap. It shouldn't require too much work to turn out an excellent replica.