PZL P.24B

Mirage Hobby, 1/48

Reviewed by Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman

Mirage Hobby's 1/48 scale PZL P.24B is available online from Squadron.com
 

This might be the easiest review I have ever written, as all the real work has been done by Mike Dobrzelecki in his excellent and comprehensive review of the previously issued F and G models of this aircraft.  It is a must read.  He has also has written a most excellent review of the PZL P.11C.

There are, however, some difference between the Bulgarian B model and the F and G model used by the Greeks.  While nearly all the plastic sprues are the same, the B model has a different cowling, engine face and propeller and differently styled shell ejection ports, which are nicely done in resin.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

There is one odd aspect to this kit, and that is the clear parts.  You get a windshield and a clear top part.  But, pictures I have seen of Bulgarian P.24Bs show that if the top cover was in place, there were windows extending from the rear of the cockpit about a third of its length. 

These windows are not in the kit.  However, it would not be difficult at all to cut them from clear stock. Although the painting guide shows the top cover in place, I have the feeling this was frequently removed in practice.

Bulgaria received 12 P.24Bs and they were divided among three Squadrons (“Yato”), Numbers 1, 2 and 3, with apparently four aircraft per squadron.  Bulgaria placed the squadron number on the side of the fuselage in a doubling of the squadron number.  So, an aircraft in No. 1 Squadron carried the number 11 on the fuselage, 22 for 2 Squadron and 33 for 3 Squadron.  The individual aircraft number was on the fin.  There are specific markings for the number 2 aircraft of the 3^rd Squadron.  But the decals come with sufficient numbers to allow you to represent any aircraft in any squadron. 

Decals are provide for the colorful red stripe down the fuselage, which you will need to match in painting the cowl.  There are also decals for the design on the wheel covers. In fact, there are two sets of wheel cover decals; for another aircraft or for the proverbial mistake and messed decal. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

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There are two types of national markings.  One for the pre-war to early war royal markings with the Maltese style cross and crossed swords and the war-time black St. Andrews cross in a white box.  There are also tri-color rudder stripes in two styles. 

If you have the Kagero monograph on the P.24 A-G (which I recommend, if you interested in this aircraft), then you have additional markings available.  That monograph comes with a set of decals that allow you to do the markings on the aircraft that was specially painted to honor the birth of the royal heir on 27 June 1937.  The aircraft carries the words “Simeon Kniaz Trnowski” down the side of the fuselage. 

As for the color of the Bulgarian PZL P.24B, they were all simply painted in dark olive-green top side with light blue underside. The dividing line between the two colors appears quite hard edged.

I have built the Mirage PZL P.11C, and while clearly not shake and bake, it was an enjoyable build.  I expect the same from this P.24.  I also must note that I have had good customer service from Mirage.  I found a main wing strut was not properly molded in one of the P.11C kits.  An email to them resulted in a set of new struts in a reasonable amount of time.  A lot to be said about a company that puts its phone, fax and email on the side of the box. 

I highly recommend this kit, not only because of the quality of the product, but also because it is good to have available models of less well known aircraft of the minor combatants of World War 2.  This is something that modelers should support.

Highly Recommended. 

Thanks to Squadron.com for the review sample