The Little World

This post marks a departure – the incorporation of two separate models into one report – this is caused by repeating the build for a separate purpose.

Of course they are the same moulding sold from two separate firms, so there is no basic design difference. Both liveries are supported by colour call-out information and the decal sheet of the most prolific seller.

a. The first Karas built was from the Mister Craft packaging. It is the basic Polish version with unit markings as per call-out.

The Polish Brown is actually quite another Gunze colour, but so approximates the box art as to be the hue of choice. I quite like the brown and grey and wondered if it was a choice based upon when the Poles thought they would be campaigning – Autumn.

The characteristic cowling shroud for the radial engine seems to be a part of many Polish aircraft. I quite like it as it gives a corporate image to the section. Note the big and wide propeller. Also note the ventral gun – not a feature of many dive bombers.

Does the whole remind you somewhat of a Ju 87?

b. The second PZL 23.b is in Soviet markings, as I needed another aircraft for an airfield diorama I was making.

It would not likely have been an operational aircraft – being reserved for testing and evaluation at Monino. But it is supported by the scale sites and the colour call-out so I am going to allow it.

And yes, the exhibition of the airfield diorama was a success. I rather short circuit the Big Local Scale Model Show each year by displaying the dioramas first at a library. It takes a lot of pressure off for the weekend display and means that if covid locks the place down I do not miss out on another year of showing off. This aircraft got some dirty looks and Polish muttering from two European gentlemen at the display…but I was ready to defend it if needed.

The use of Polish and Soviet markings is about all I can really do with the Karas kits I have. The other possibilities; Luftwaffe, Romania, and Bulgaria…are all Axis air forces and I don’t build them. Unless I can google up a genuine case of one of these things going to anyone else, I may have to build one for Ruritania or Latveria