As CHRIS CLIFFORD reports, the Czech manufacturer has released what appears to be the world’s first 1/72 styrene kit of Aero’s Ab-11 biplane.
Both the Czechoslovak Air Force and civilian aero clubs relied on the Aero Ab-11 during the interwar period. It’s a type well known in its home country, yet less so abroad and it was developed through factors emerging from its forerunner the A-12.
The A-11 eventually equipped all Czechoslovak Air Force air regiments, in the air observation, bomber and two-seat fighter roles. Therefore, it’s rather surprising that it took this long for a styrene kit of the type to be manufactured (resin 1/72 versions were produced by RVHP some years back). It’s a subject ripe for Special Hobby though, which has become adept at creating models of unusual aircraft, in short-run format. This kit, SH72471, is an example of a high-quality, limited-run moulding with not a hint of flash to be found anywhere. It also has a rather long but intriguing box-front tagline, but more on that later.
Above and below: Special Hobby’s Aero Ab-11 is limited-run format to a high standard… especially evident on the wing and fuselage parts.
All styrene parts, save for three clear items, are carried by two grey runners. The surfa…
