PWS-26 [1:72]

History
Though Polish pilots proved themselves as one of the best airmen of the Second World War, like all aviators, they had to earn their wings first. They couldn't do so without training aircraft that became their gate to the cockpits of fighters, bombers, attack aircraft and other machines. One of such machines was PWS-26 biplane.

In 1935 August Bobek-Zdaniewski from PWS company (Podlaska Wytwórnia Samolotów - Podlasie Airplane Factory) designed an improved version of earlier PWS-16bis trainer, that was later designated PWS-26. Trials proved that the new trainer is a reliable, fine machine, easily forgiving to the trainee and which could be used to train various kinds of pilots: fighter pilots, bombers pilots etc. It was accepted into service and a serial production begun in 1936. The first aircraft was delivered to Polish Air Force in 1937. In total 310 machines of this type were produced.

PWS-26 was a single-engine biplane aircraft of mixed construction - a metal airframe was covered with canvas, except for engine cowling. Wooden elements were also used. Dual cockpits included doubled steering mechanisms. The instructor was sitting in front cabin, while the student was sitting behind him. It had a fixed landing gear. The powerplant was a Wright Whirlwind J-5B air-cooled radial engine, that provided 240 hp. For shooting practice, the aircraft could be fitted with one 7,92 mm machine gun in a chamber on the right-hand side of the airplane; also, two 12 kg bombs could be taken.

An interesting modification (not version, because any aircraft could be converted in this manner) was nicknamed "Ślepak" (Sightless or Blind) and was used to train pilots to fly on instruments, in poor visibility (night or bad weather). The back cabin was covered, and the student had to rely on its instruments to guide the aircraft.

The PWS-26 aircrafts were mainly used in aviation schools in Dęblin, Krosno and Grudziądz. Some were also assigned to training squadrons of air regiments.

When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, the PWS-26 trainers, unlike combat aircraft such as P.11c fighters or Karaś bombers were not relocated to hidden airfields and many were destroyed on the ground. Some, however, were used as liaison aircraft. When on September 24th one PWS-26 was located near Włodawa, it was incorporated into liaison platoon of SGO "Polesie" (Polesie Independent Operational Group) and was used until October 4th. On several occasions. pilots dropped hand grenades on Soviet forces, that invaded Poland on September 17th. One aircraft piloted by Jan Falkowski managed to trick German Bf-109 into chasing him towards the ground, then used its biplane agility to pull out of the dive faster than the German pilot could, causing him to hit the ground.

Finally, some of the aircraft escaped to Latvia or Romania. There, they were incorporated into Soviet Air Force after it invaded Latvia the next year, and later were captured by Germans in 1941. Romanian Air Force also used them for training. Including the aircraft acquired before 1939, Romania had about 30-40 PWS-26. They were used until 1950s, then scrapped.

Interestingly, with so many Polish aircraft such as PZL.23 Karaś or PZL.37 Łoś disappearing from existance, one PWS-26 survived to this day. Captured by Germans, it was displayed in Berlin Communication and Technic Museum with German markings (VG+AS), but it was shipped away with the rest of the exhibits when Allied bombing of Berlin threatened the museum. In 1945, it was found near Czarnków, restored in Poznan and with civilian markings SP-AJB, it was used by Poznan Air Club until late 1953. It was then moved to Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, where it remains to this day.

The kit
I've found this kit on a second-hand market last month, and since it was inexpensive, I decided to buy it. I knew that RPM models are often of poor quality (ie. their Beriev Be-4 flying boat), but I thought it won't be a big loss since it's so cheap.

The kit itself wasn't that bad, the fitting was rather good and details were nice, but some of the areas (ie. propeller, cockpits) are very simple, plus in some places the guiding pegs or holes are missing or misplaced. There is also an ugly deformation on the left wing - I thought maybe it was a scar made by previous owner, but then it turned out to be a common problem in all kits of this type. I tried to repair it, but it didn't last, so I gave up until I find more lasting solution. Also, since it was a second-hand kit, some of the parts were missing.

I didn't know that there are two variants of this kit, and each offers different marking options. As it turned out, I picked the one without Polish markings There were German, Soviet and Romanian ones, but not the Polish ones. I don't know if it would be that difficult to just make one decal sheet for every kit? (One thing I like in Mastercraft models: they may be of low quality, but even if the box claims to offer, lets say, Polish and German decals, the Romanian and Soviet ones are most likely included as well - because they use one sheet for all kits regardless of the version). Therefore I used some spare decals, however I didn't have one for underwing number (the same as the side number, but bigger), but it seems some of the PWS-26 didn't have it. Therefore my model is in fictional, but probable markings.

All in all, this kit might need a bit of patience, but it will be a fine exhibit in your collection. Just make sure which version are you buying

Model: RPM
Paints: Pactra
Scale: 1/72