TOGA 1:72 ZLIN Z-42M
'INBOX Review'

 

Reviewer: Johan De Wolf (rec.models.scale)   

Kit Details:

History

After the very successful Trener series, the Moravan company was looking to produce something more modern. Design started in the mid 60’s. As was the fashion in those days, the student and instructor where to be seated side by side. The first prototype for, what had become, the Z-41 had its maiden flight on 17 October 1967. Some improvements where made and the type went into production as the Z-42 in 1970. Only a few where produced and  a further improved version, the Z-42M , followed on the production line in 1974. The M was powered by the improved Avia M 137MZ engine driving a new variable pitch propeller. It also had the taller fin designed for the Z-43 four-seater, and the wingspan was increased by 50cm. These changes made the M fully acrobatic. Poland was the largest customer buying 84 machines of the total of 193 built. The DDR (East Germany) was another large customer with 65 machines ordered. There it was used by flying clubs and the paramilitary GST where most future military pilots earned their wings. In other eastern European countries it found similar uses. Today the design is still in production in improved versions as the Z-142 and Z-242. Most of the original Z-42’s are still in use too as it is a rugged and easy to maintain design. In the air it is easily recognizable because of its peculiar forward swept wings.

The kit

The kit comes in a flimsy end-opening box, which loses its integrity as soon as the shrink wrap is removed. Inside it you find two sprues and 3 lose parts all packed in separate bags, that would easily fit in a box half the size. A very hard black plastic is used for the wing and fuselage parts and it reminds me strongly of the old VEB Plasticard kits; however one of the sprues has a copyright mark by Trumpeter 2002. My guess it that after the demise of VEB, soon after the reunification of Germany, the unfinished mold found its way to the people at Toga. They then contracted Trumpeter in China to produce the rest of the parts. Surface detail consists of a mix of sharply formed engraved and raised detail where applicable. There are no sink marks or other defects. Also included is a 3 piece stand. The canopy is thin and very clear. Judging from the parts break down and the fit, I would say this kit was originally intended as a snap-fit kit. As the parts count suggest, this is an extremely simple kit, and the dual language instructions, in German and English, are more than adequate to finish the kit without problems. The decal sheet, is sharply printed and in register. It offers options for two “civil” machines and includes stenciling (a rarity in civil aircraft kits).

Accuracy

All measurements are within 1mm of what they should be. Surface detail conforms very well with what can be seen in photographs. The decals are also extremely precise. So top marks for accuracy for this kit.

Construction

The break down of parts is rather unusual in this kit, but it makes perfect sense. The fuselage is molded as one part sans bottom. The main wing forms one part together with the fuselage underside. Although this seems an odd way of doing things, it has two advantages; first the right angle of attack and dihedral are ensured, and second it allows for crisp surface detail on the side and top of the fuselage as well as on the bottom. Now normally such an arrangement makes for an awkward join. Not so in this kit. The join line runs cleverly along panel lines, and the fit is simply superb. After removing the light mold seam with a quick sandpaper swipe, just slot the two parts together and run some liquid glue in the join line. That’s it, no need for adjustment, no need for putty anywhere; you don’t even need to sand the seam. But before you do this you need to start with the cockpit. This consists of a floor/rear bulkhead with integrated seats and rudder peddles, added to this are the two control columns. There is also an instrument panel with shroud. Sadly this is devoid of detail. I think the instruments could have been provided as a decal, but sadly Toga missed this opportunity. You might want to add some more detail to the cockpit area as everything will be visible under the large and very clear canopy. The canopy fits very well too and it can be kept in place with a coat of gloss varnish. Once the fuselage is together the tail wing, landing gear and prop can be added. Note that, although not mentioned in the instructions, this kit needs to have nose weight added to prevent a tail-sitter. If you don’t intend to use the 3-part stand you need to plug the big hole in the bottom of the fuselage. Some external details you will need to add yourself, such as the exhaust pipes, the balance weights for the ailerons, a whip aerial and the L-shaped steps on the fuselage side behind the wing.

Colours and markings

There are no colour details given for the interior. The outside colours are mainly white with two black panels. This is a bit of a problem because the plastic is black. Even with a good opaque paint it will take more than one coat to cover the black plastic with white. The instructions mention that only the first production batch was molded in black plastic, so you might be lucky and pick up a later batch molded in a lighter colour. As mentioned before the decal sheet offers two options:

A famous/infamous, depending on which side you where on, East German machine. This aircraft belonged to the paramilitary GST. On 15 July 1987 it was used to escape from Berlin Schönhagen to the British controlled Berlin Gatow airport by a GST member. The British disassembled the machine and returned it by road to the DDR. There it was reassembled and put back into service. It is still flying today.

The aircraft depicted by the second option belonged to a Polish paramilitary aero club. Note that this machine had mud guards on the main gear as well as the nose gear. The kit only has the mud guard on the nose wheel which seems to be the most common configuration. 

Conclusion

This kit seems to be the result of a successful multinational cooperation. It has delivered a simple yet high quality kit of an interesting aircraft. I would love to see more injection molded kits of aircraft that found their way into civilian as well as military use. So how about a Learjet, a Citation, a King air or a Bandeirante in 1/72?

References

 

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