PZL.23 Karas [1:72]

History
In 1931 Polish aircraft designers from PZL (Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze - State Aviation Works) started to work on a new type of light bomber that would be mainly used for reconaissance, but be able to attack detected enemy's positions with bombs and machine guns (today we'd call it tactical bomber). Initialy, bombs were placed inside the hull in the bomb bay. But because of that the interior was very cramped and it was difficult to change position during flight.

Because of that bombs were moved to the outside of the aircraft, on the wing hardpoints, and the insides were occupied by three crewmembers: pilot, navigator-radioman and back gunner who fired from two machine guns placed above and under the hull. Pilot's visibility from the cockpit was improved as well. However, the aircraft had an unfortunate tendency to buffeting, or vibrating excessively due to disturbed air flow. Because of that, vertical stabilizer had to be redesigned. Unfortunately, the second prototype was lost during tests, killing everyone onboard.

The third prototype was accepted by Polish Air Force and rushed into production. It recieved designation "PZL.23 Karaś" (crucian)*. Karas was a low-wing monoplane with fixed landing gear, powered by 680 HP Bristol Pegasus VIII radial engine. Top speed was 320 km/h, so it could not avoid enemy fighters, but was sufficient to perform reconaissance and tactical bombing. Maximum range was 1260 km. Karas could take up to 700 kgs of bombs: 6x100 kgs plus 2x50 kgs. It was armed with one wz. 33 7,92 mm and two Vickers F 7,7 mm machine guns.

When Germany invaded Poland on September 1st 1939, beginning World War II, Karas was a good machine as such, though difficult to handle, but it was outperformed by German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters, which, with the top speed of 500 km/h (cruising speed: 350 km/h) could easily sit on its tail and shoot it out of the sky. Moreover, Polish machines had already flown quite a distance by that time during normal service and training. Nevertheless, they performed well in their role as light bomber and reconaissance aircraft. They were used to locate German units and engage them with bombs and machine gun fire to soften German defence and demoralize troops.

The greatest raid performed by Karas bombers was on September 2nd 1939, when 17 PZL.23s from 64. and 65. Bomber Squadron (eskadra bombowa) attacked German armoured columns in the vicinity of Truskolasy. Each of the Karas carried 600 kgs of bombs - limited by worn engines and bad airstrips. Attacking from low altitude, PZL.23s dropped their deadly payload, 10,2 t of bombs, on the German column stretching for several miles. Poles lost 6 Karas brought down by Flak or destroyed upon landing (one was relatively intact when it landed, but was captured by Germans), but destroyed dozens of vehicles. Combined with other attacks in that region, German losses from Karas bombing reached 20-30%. Also, supply lines were severed for some time.

However the most famous Karas attack occured earlier on that day when one PZL.23 commanded by sgt. Stefan Dębicki flew beyond the German borders and attacked chemical plant in Ohlau (now Oława, Poland), achieving fame as the first aircraft to attack the III Reich's territory. Other PZL.23s also performed missions far behind enemy lines, attacking factories, workshops and troops. One flew into Eastern Prussia and was forced to land near Konigsberg (now Kalinningrad, part of Russia). It was later shown in German press as a proof that Polish Air Force might still pose a threat to Germany.

In total 112 Karas bombers were lost during September Campaign. After the Soviet invasion on September 17th, ca. 40 of them were flown into Romania, which by that time was still Polish ally. However Romanian authorities didn't allow Poles to take their machines to France for regrouping and incorporated them into their own air force. Some of them were used on Eastern Front, but armed with German MG-07 machine guns. At least one Karas was being said to be flying in 1946 as glider towing aircraft, but there are no evidences to support this claim. No Karas survived the war; those in Romanian service were scrapped, much like those captured by Soviets or Germans. There are also no plans so far to built a replica; there is just this beautiful CGI animation showing how our Karas looked like back in the 1930s.

* some sources state incorrectly that the designation was "PZL P.23". However the "P.XX" designation was reserved for aircraft designed by Zygmunt Puławski, inventor of gull wing design and creator of PZL P.11c fighter.

The kit
I bought this Karas model some time ago, can't remeber when. Must have been August 2009, good ol' high school times when everything was easy, people were nice and Pepsi was always cold. It was a repack by SD Models of old Heller kit. It's not very difficult, and the amount of flushes is low. Some might not be satisfied with raised panel lines, but I didn't want to try and convert them to recessed ones. There are three clear element: canopy and two covers of observator's bay.

Fit of the parts, if I recall, was good. The plastic is tough, hard to cut except for the flushes - good for those who always happen to cut a bit too much plastic. However it doesn't react well to glue; you need to make sure everything keeps in place.

When I painted it for the first time, I used wrong shade of green; later I attempted to cover it with Polish khaki, but it didn't look nice at all. So I washed everything in brake fluid and repainted it. I used Pactra's RAF Dark Brown for the top, which is very similar to Polish khaki, but easier to apply for some reason. The bottom was painted with light blue Humbrol. By the way, when I was looking for Karas pictures I've found out that the whole cowling should be painted with khaki, not just the upper section (except for a narrow, red stripe); the same goes for the bottom of the fuselage immediately behind the wings.

I changed the MGs for Vickers K I had from scrapped Supermarine Walrus (both planes used Vickers K for self-defence), because the Revell's MGs had more details.

I washed it with thinned acrylic paint and covered with matt clear coat, but I think I should have refrained from using the latter I even checked if they haven't sold me glossy coat instead. I also used a bit of drybrush on the lower surfaces.

Decals are from various sources: mostly Mastercraft's kits, i.e. the checkerboards on the wings' bottom are from PZL P.7 set (there were 4, while only 2 were needed). And yes, the upper checkerboards are not symmetrical and this is not a mistake. According to my book "Polish Aircraft and Colors" checkerboards were placed asimetrically, because otherwise the enemy could simply aim right between them, into the pilot's cockpit. The markings of this Karas are fictional; most of them had their squadron's emblems on the sides, but judging from the photos, not all of them.

You probably won't find this kit anymore, so I can't really recommend it If you are an aviation fan, I suggest 1/48 kits from Mirage Hobby (they produce most of the Polish aircrafts of September Campaign). They may not be widely aviable abroad, but from what I heard they are well-made and rather accurate. Besides it's not like you have any choice

Model: SD Model/Heller
Paints: Pactra - dark earth, black, red on the cowling, probably propeller (it has original paintjob); Humbrol - sky blue, dark yellow in the cockpit, brown on the pilot's seat
Scale: 1/72

PS: when I assembled it for second time music from this video played in my head all the time By the way, the video presents C7P artillery tractors pulling elements of 220 mm mortars.