By John “Tigger” Wilkes (and Geoff Coughlin)
Imagine the scene… The 2009 IPMS Nationals and I was just finishing up judging when a chance meeting with a fellow contributor sparked a conversation about bargains at the show. Both of us came to the same conclusion that there weren’t any real good ones to be had, by sheer chance he asked if I had seen the L-29 resin kit and I said no. He pointed to where a trader had some for sale and I went immediately looking for the kit. When I found it I opened the box and was so taken with this little jet that despite the price which was still high but a much more palatable £100 I grabbed it there and then without hesitation, bear in mind I hadn’t spent much else because a lack of bargains.
After taking it back to my SIG several others there took a look and within a matter of a few minutes the trader had sold all of the kits he had on stock to remembers of the SIG the kit is that nice!
Later in the weekend I had taken time to examine the kit and realised that I couldn’t do the Tiger-striped L-29 with the kit decals but this wasn’t going to stop my ambition. I have known Geoff and Les for a number of years and over the weekend they wanted to have a chat with me about the new magazine www.scalemodellingnow.com and asked if I would be interested in helping? I tentatively agreed but wasn’t sure how I could do so. Les saw the L-29 kit and then began the idea of me building it for this magazine and once again I agreed to do so.
So what about the L-29?
Read Wikipedia site
What about research? Well take a look at:
http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/arpad_pinter/l-29/index.php
and
http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/kevan_vogler/l-29_delfin/
also have a look at
http://www.midwaysailor.com/photos/delphin.html
And to top this lot off I was also pointed in the direction of this site too:
http://album.miarroba.com/felixalv/25
What about the kit?
Well as you can see from the images, it looks like a handsome package. Clearly when John gets to grips with the contents in the IPR, you’ll be able to see the whole story unfold. HpH Models has already produced lovely scale models of the Avia B-534 and glider aircraft in this scale and this latest release is very welcome – covering an important Czech type that has previously been unavailable in this large 1:32nd scale.We’ve included additional images to show you the majority of what you’ll get with this mixed-media kit. The resin parts are very cleanly moulded with a decent level of detail. You’ll see that the majority of parts are completely clean or have a very thin resin backing that is easily trimmed and sanded off. The parts count seems to go on and on, with some very fine detail included for the undercarriage, stores and of course the cockpit.
The fuselage halves have very fine engraved rivet and panel line detail that should look good in 1:32nd scale when all the painting is finished.
Three decal options are included and all the small stencil data seems complete for the versions featured.
Etched metal too!
No less than three etched metal frets are included and the cockpit does well here with some beautifully detailed and pre-painted instrument panels and consoles. There are many small levers and other placards that will make the whole cockpit area come to life. In 1:32nd scale the effect is even more dramatic and impressive.Separate frets cater for all the small parts needed for the pylon sway braces and other small parts and the final fret have the seat harness straps – again pre-painted that will make all the difference on your completed model.
Other highlights…
You’ll see that two nose weights are included and this is a nice touch assuming that the correct weight? It’s so often a case of guesswork to judge the amount needed to keep the aircraft from tail-sitting. Other neat touches include the red/green coloured navigation lights – clever.Conclusion
Very nice package all in all – very nice indeed. Resin kits, especially resin kits in 1:32nd scale are always likely to appear quite expensive, but in this instance you get a lot for your money: dropped-flap option, pre-painted etch, cleanly moulded resin parts that feature good detail, multiple decal options and plenty of small detail parts make this look good value for money with plenty of scale modelling in the box – what more do you need?