RPM 1/72 P.W.S. 16bis

RPM 1:72 P.W.S. 16bis
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Carlos Giani (carlos_giani2002@yahoo.de)

Aircraft: The PWS („Podlaska Wytwornia Samolotow“) 16 was based on the PWS 12/14 series, and presented some important improvements against the latter, like better ailerons and a special fuel supply system which allowed inverted fly (in the 16bis version). There were 20 units produced of each the 16 and the 16bis, and they entered service as trainer with the Polish Air Force in 1934, being related to secondary roles as the improved PWS-26 appeared in 1937. This was a 16bis with reinforced structure, which made it possible to use them for dive bombing, although its main role was armed training. 250 PWS-26s were produced, some of them being captured by the Germans after war break and used in the Luftwaffe, other 28 being transferred to Romania.

Parts: Inside a rather flimsy end-opening box you get two short-run sprues containing 42 parts in ocean grey, one sprue containing 6 transparent parts and one small decal sheet, everything bagged together. The few panel lines (remember, this was a biplane, mostly fabric-covered) are acceptably engraved and surface detail is quite good, although the parts are not absolutely crisp molded; you will find some small molding imperfections here and there, nothing terrible but still noticeable. Although there's no flash worth mentioning, everything will benefit from an all-round clean-up with the X-acto knife. Fortunately, there are no ejector pin stubs/marks on the exterior areas.

Breakdown is absolutely conventional, with fuselage split vertically, two-piece lower wing, one piece upper wing, one piece rear stabilizer, separate tail fin, one outer wing „N“-strut each side and conventional landing gear with rear skid. Details of construction will be covered in a Kit-Review following soon.

Instructions: Just one A4-sheet printed on both sides. The front side brings a brief history/technical data in polish (my kit was bought in Warsaw), sprues diagramm, decals layout and 2-1/2 views for three subjects. The rear side shows construction in seven very vague and confusing steps, which would be absolutely frustrating for a novice modeller (except he has a vulcanian brain). A small rigging diagramm is given. There are no color call-outs; 2 subjects are just overall colored „srebnym“ (which I presume means „silver“) and one subject „khaki“. Which tone is this exact? Only the Web knows! (I presume Humbrol H26 will match).

Versions: Since I cannot polish, I just presume that the two silver subjects are civil aircraft, while the khaki one is a military plane. I have added a photo of this part of the instructions; maybe some polish reader will supply an addendum.

Decals: Absolutely basic, very glossy and all enclosed in one thick carrier film.

Detail: Acceptable. There exists a very extensive photoetch plate for this kit from a company called „Part“ (N° S72 204).

Options: There are no options I can find.

Impressions: I've seen a lot of kits worse than this at five times it's price. This is the only game in town, and with some care, patience and detailing it could look well (I will know soon...!) For approx. €4 (in Poland) I'm sure I've picked up a good value.

Recommendations: Live long and prosper.

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