1/72 AZ Model Zlin 242L

Gallery Article by Fernando I. Moreno Villa on Feb 3 2011

 

Zlin 242L - Armada de México

In the 1990's the Mexican armed forces began an expansion program with Eastern Block equipment. As consequence, an important quantity of Russian-made helicopters, planes and vehicles arrived for both Air Force and Navy.  

Along with Mil Mi helicopters and Valmet light COIN planes, a squadron of 10 Zlin-242 came to reinforce the air wing of the Mexican Navy for basic training and coastal patrol duties.

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This is a multimedia kit including PE, resin parts, two vacuformed clear canopies and a nice decal sheet which includes the Mexican, Peruvian, Croatian and Yemeni versions. The fit was good but some pieces lack of joint guides and the instruction sheet consists of an exploded diagram which I found difficult to follow, especially to locate where to place PE parts. 

Cockpit detail is not impressive, but PE seatbelts and control panel provided an important upgrade. Another issue is that there is no room for ballast in the nose and this is a tailsitter. If you can't resist seeing this effect on your model and want to avoid attaching the model permanently to a base, you should drill the resin nose behind and fill it with enough weight. 

The most challenging part of the project was to place the decals correctly, because they are superb but very thin and brittle. 

I really recommend this kit for those who like to build military trainers and COIN aircraft. It could be a good start if you are moving to more challenging projects like short-run resin or vacuformed kits.

This project is dedicated to the brave men and women that serve in the Mexican armed forces, who fight and risk their lives everyday to return order and security to our homeland.

Thank you all and regards from Monterrey, México.

Fernando I. Moreno Villa

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Photos and text © by Fernando I. Moreno Villa