Letov Š.20 1/72 Kovozavody Prostejov

Alois Šmolík’s design of Letov Š.20 was a standard fighter plane of the Czechoslovak Air Force during the 1920s. Its demilitarised version, which was utilized by the Hanácký flying club in the Moravian city of Olomouc between 1934 and 1937, is presented by me and the Kovozavody Prostejov manufacturer. The distinctive code letters OK-LEO, the advertising banner of the ASO shopping mall, and its deep red color convinced me that this variant is the right choice. On top of that, the original functionalist building of the former ASO mall still stands in the Olomouc city center and it’s a nice reminiscence of its former glory.

The kit was a real pleasure to build (for a shortrun kit) and I have to praise the manufacturer for a job well done. Only a few parts were trickier but otherwise, I give this model kit big thumbs-up! The biggest problem I see is in the marking guide: the original photos of the plane were wrongly interpreted to have a different tail section. On the other hand, the individual parts are clearly injected and fit well.

I only enhanced the kit by making new exhausts from syringes and improved the radiators and visible engine section. The most challenging part was the representation of the double wires between the wings. This is my second biplane ever done so I have almost no experience with the rigging. First, I untangled an elastic thread into individual fibers. Then, I glued two of them together and applied a thick layer of paint to compound them into one flat wire. Fortunately, there are only eight of the flat wires so I didn’t go crazy. Nevertheless, I have mixed feelings about the result, next time, it has to be better.

The red color I chose was Mr. Hobby Russet (Train) red, probably intended for locomotives, but I simply liked this deep red the most. It’s up to you which red suits you the best. The decals are exquisite, they really are the pride of the kit.

This is my first airplane this year and I hope it won’t be the last 🙂

3 thoughts on “Letov Š.20 1/72 Kovozavody Prostejov

  • 27. 2. 2021 at 8:01
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    A fine example of such an interesting aircraft. Very well-made and as only your second biplane it is a harbinger of more great looking aircraft to come !

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  • 1. 3. 2021 at 20:02
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    Excellent! If you find the perfect way to make those double flying wires, let us know!

    Reply
  • 13. 5. 2021 at 17:22
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    Hi!
    This is a very interesting kit of a Czechoslovak fighter from the interwar era which hadn’t been kitted before in injected plastic. I became interested in Czechoslovak aircraft from this period thanks to a Czech pen pal some thirty years ago. I built all the classics from KP (except the Avia B.534). In the last few years there has been some renewal in the interest on these fascinating machines in their home market. Fly released the Avia BH-21 (including the BH-21J radial engined prototype) and BH-22, Brengun the Letov Š-16 (plus two early 1920s fighters in resin, the Aero A-18 and Letov Š-4) and Special Hobby a full Š-324 family, all in 1/72. Did I miss any?
    Cze
    Your build is superb! Congratulations! I realy like the combination of civilian markings and the strong red colour.
    I planned to buy two boxings of this kit, but eventually only got one (1st series). I have only a minor quibble with the kit, and it regards the fabric effect in the fuselage. I found it a bit heavy handed for my taste. But it can be carefully sanded down of course.

    Reply

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