Avia B.534 1/72 Eduard (dual build)
Avia B.534, a type that needs no introduction among Czechoslovak modelers. B.534 fighter was the backbone of the Czechoslovak Air Force during the second half of the 1930s and a symbol of our determination to defend our country against all aggressors. Unfortunately, the pilots flying these machines were never given a chance to turn their determination into action.
Currently, anyone who wants to build an Avia B.534 has a choice of four kits. It is probably not surprising that they all originated in former Czechoslovakia or the Czech Republic. I sort them according to their age and quality.
- First is a model from well-known company Kovozávody Prostějov. First released sometime in the mid-1970s, it is one of those models that had accompanied me through my childhood and modeling beginnings. Anyway in these days an obsolete kit rather for collectors.
- A model issued under the HR model brand I would place on the bronze position. Classic shortrun with its pros and cons. The manufacturer covered II. and IV. production series and offered both variants in several boxings. The decals sold as separate sheets were absolutely excellent.
- A manufacturer known for its affection for Czechoslovakian interwar types, RS model, would reach a silver medal. RS has offered and still offers B.534 of all production series. This is a classic but very nice shortrun. The only downside was the canopy for the IV. production series. Quite thick, not very nice and bad-fitting. Anyway, I have three pieces built in my collection.
- The latest model of B.534 was released by Eduard. Standard kit produced from metal molds, clear winner. Again, the manufacturer covered all production series, including the non-standard teardrop canopy used on the SVZ and Luftwaffe machines.
That’s it for a basic overview. It’s up to everybody which way to go. I must admit I resisted Eduard’s model for a long time thanks to a large stock of unbuilt B.534s from the RS model. In the end, I changed my mind and decided to build a few pieces from Eduard as well. At first glance, it is a perfect kit, easy to assemble. Unfortunately, there is one big BUT, a completely unacceptable rendering of the fabric surface of the wings. Ports and stitching on the wings look strange and grossly exaggerated. What looks like an amazing detail in 1/32 scale, in 1/72 scale it gives the impression of something inappropriate, a really bad joke. I would not be able to accept something like this on my model.
Fortunately, the solution is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. I sprayed the wings (vertical and horizontal stabilizers as well) with silver paint and carefully sanded the oversized stitching. Everything is about a little patience and after few hours wings look much better. The rest of the kit went together smoothly. Thanks to the clever design of the strut lock, the geometry can be easily maintained and the gluing of the upper wing is not as challenging as with other biplanes. I added a few details, see pics below. Rigging is made traditionally with a fishing line, threaded through the upper wing. Used colors: Agama Red line and Peewit mixed shades (from Vallejo Air) for Czechoslovak Air Force. Decals are a combination directly out of the box and a decal sheet from HR models.
Despite my initial resistance, I must admit that after dealing with sewing on ports, Eduard’s model represents the easiest way to the desired collection of all versions of this attractive biplane. Thanks for looking, comments are welcome as always.
David
Well Done Sir ! …combining the well engineered Eduard models with the perfect choice of subjects resulting in a very winning and attractive pair of B.534’s
Additional thanks for the build notes and suggestions on how to tone down rendering of the fabric surface of the wings.
I see you decided to do something from the home stable, and two together to boot! Very nicely done, and great solution for the prominent tape renderings. What are your thoughts on the “fixed” version of the wings in Eduard’s Ist and 2nd series kits? Also, interested in more info regarding the nightmare of the dual build. I thought about doing that as well. Cheers!
Hi Alec K,
The existence of a “fixed” version of the wings in the 1st and 2nd series’ Eduard kits of the Avia B.534 family is a new information for me. Is it just a small fix or do the wings in those kits look much better?
Cheers!
R.
Hi,
it depence how you like the first version. The “fixed” or second version has different attachment points for struts. More user friendly IMHO. Also the ports and stiching on them are softer. The wing doesn’t look like dead skin remover anymore. Nevertheless it is still a pinch above my limit of acceptance, therefore I treated them in a way I described in my article 🙂
BR Dave
Hi David,
Thanks! I share your dislike of the wing stitching representation, which reminds me of something like the strenghtning ribs in the fuselage of a Handley Page Heyford! I was very disappointed by this when I got the kit.
R.
Nicely done on both counts! What was the issue with the dual build? I usually build multiple kits simultaneously so I’m curious that it didn’t seem to work out well for you.
Rob and Alec K: Thank you guys for comments!
Alec K: separate answer sent by SM 🙂
Jeffrey: Thank you for kind words. To your question. I know couple gyus who prefer dual, even more, builds. I don’t know, for me it doesn’t work. It’s hard to concentrate on two, basicaly the same kits. Very easy I’m loosing passion for modeling when I do the same things twice. Currently I’m trying to build simultaneously three kits, but all different topics. Let’s see how it’s going to end up 🙂
Hi David,
nice to see your fine Avias. Both models are beauties. Very nice quality of the built and of your fotos.
I love the B.534 also and made two of them. (Series 3 & 1) The last finished for some days. I hope I can make more versions in the future.
As you I changed my opinion and sell my RS and HR kits to build the better EDUARD kit.
It is the better kit.