The Little World

I have been on the look-out for a year for a 1:72 model of an Avia S-199 fighter plane. Wouldn’t you know…a call at the local specialty shop for another product ( which I couldn’t get ) and a browse on the shelves led to the wonderful discovery. It was not a cheap kit, but not over the top either. I know when to pay, grab, and run.

When I got home I noticed that I did not have an S-199 – the kit is boxed as a CS-199. This is the two-seat trainer version of the fighter plane. It was a Czech-produced run-on from the Messerschmitt Me 109 – made from leftover airframes and engines. It equipped the fledgling Czech airforce as well as others  after WWII.

They were used by Israel in the ’48 war and did very well – but a beast to fly.

The kit is extremely well-moulded for a short-run kit. Very little flash anywhere. A clear canopy, albeit a two-seater version. This may not be such a necessity as I intend to paint it as a sun-weathered exhibit at Schmatterim AIr Force Museum. The real S-199 in the Negev is frequently dusty but also frequently repainted – being such an historic ship.

But what to do about those differences? Fortunately the instructions pointed out the way ahead.

This kit, like a lot of short-run ones, is moulded with an eye to gathering the most sales for one sprue. So the makers have moulded two complete fuselages on the trees; a two-seater and a single-seater. The instructions point out all the parts that you don’t use for the trainer version, and that information allows me to put those aside for the fighter!

There are differences – the air intakes is inexplicably moved from port to starboard for the fighter and there are different exhausts. The two interiors are moulded on the sprues so all you have to do is exercise a little trial fitting to see what you need for the S-199. I will opt for an underchin scoop as well as a ferry tank, even though the Negev example is clean there. Call it artistic licence.

The canopy will need surgery. I approach it gingerly, but if worst comes I can go find a cheap Me109 and rob it.

Note that the instructions and decals are also first-rate. This is a firm new to me but already I like them.