Avia CS-199

Eduard ProfiPACK
1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Avia CS-199 was a two-seat trainer variant rebuilt from Avia S-199.

A total of 82 CS-199 two-seater traimers were built.*

The two-seater CS-199 in 1/72 scale

This is not the first time that we have seen a CS-199 in 1/72 scale.

KP debuted their 1/72 scale Avia CS-199 in the 1970s.

This kit was a typical effort for its day - raised panel lines, milky one-piece canopy and basic interior detailing. Some of the shapes look questionable to me too. In particular, the canopy and rear fuselage that have a very Arado kind of look about them.

In summary then, we are long overdue for a state of the art two-seater Avia CS-199 in 1/72 scale - or any scale for that matter!

What a treat - two new-tool Eduard releases have hit my desk in the last two weeks!

The first was Eduard newest 1/72 scale Avia S-199 in Czechoslovak and Israeli Service Limited Edition Dual Combo reviewed here. That kit includes parts for two complete models.

Tonight I am reviewing the Eduard ProfiPACK 1/72 scale Avia CS-199 two-seater trainer.

This latest Czechoslovakian Bf 109 descendant comprises 105 parts in grey plastic (22 marked not for use), six parts in clear plastic, one colour photo-etched fret, a die-cut, self-adhesive masking sheet and decals for six marking options

The fuselage sprue is brand new. The main feature here is, not surprisingly, the fuselage halves. These are full length with the tall fin moulded in place.

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Thumbnail panels:

Surface detail is just gorgeous. The mid-dark grey plastic colour really shows off the crisp recessed panel lines and rows of rivets. Stitching and fabric tape are depicted on fabric control surfaces.

A nice base of cockpit sidewall detail is moulded onto the inside of the fuselage halves. This will be supplemented with additional plastic and colour photo-etched parts.

The new two-seater cockpit floor is moulded as a single part with some features, including the rudder pedals, moulded in place. These are moulded at a fairly flat angle, but photo-etched replacements are offered if you prefer a more upright gradiant.

The photo-etched fret is pre-coloured and offers two layered instrument panels, harness straps, rudder pedals, pilot's head crash barrier, windscreen frame and other cockpit details. I particularly like the red and white rimmed trim wheels. Try painting that in this scale!

Four mesh radiator faces are included too.

Alternative plastic parts are provided in case you don't like working with photo-etch. Instrument panel decal overlays are also offered as an option to painting the plastic panel.

The fuselage is full length but is designed with inserts for the upper and lower nose. Two styles of cannon bulge are included. The two seater is fitted with the oil cooler housing with the narrow raised fairing.

Wings are conventional and will look familiar to anyone who has built Eduard's 1/48 scale Bf 109 G kits. The lower half is full span, while the uppers are split into port and starboard. The long, late version wheel bulge is moulded correctly into the upper wing with structural detail moulded into the wheel well ceilings. Wheel well sidewalls are a simple single piece for each side.

Pay attention to the instructions here as you may need to drill out holes for the version that you are building.

Elevators, ailerons, rudder and leading edge slats are all supplied as separate parts. The lower radiator flaps may be bent downward too.

The fuselage antenna mast is moulded onto the top of the fuselage spine and the pitot tube to the wing leading edge. These are inevitably delicate and Eduard has provided insurance in the form of a separate pitot tube and antenna mast on Sprue C. I'll be cutting off the moulded-on parts and using these separate parts for my build. Thanks Eduard!

Unlike Eduard's 1/48 scale Bf 109 kits, the CS-199 undercarriage legs are moulded with deep locating pegs that should guarantee a robust join plus accurate splay and rake. I'd like to see this nice design feature upscaled for future Eduard Bf 109 releases.

Alternative clear parts are offered for open and closed sliding canopies.

The parts are thin and clear.

Markings

Markings are supplied for six Czechoslovak subjects.

All 82 CS-199 trainers were painted in aluminium lacquer. Variations are seen in the yellow bands and ocassional unit markings.

The unique and national markings are supplied on two decal sheets.

Two smaller sheets provide the stencil markings.

We have been long overdue for a state of the art two-seater Avia CS-199 in 1/72 scale and Eduard has delivered admirably.

This home-grown two-seater, post-war development of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 features gorgeous surface textures and an impressive level of detail with no compromise considering its small scale.

Eduard's little silver gem will be hard to keep in the box!

*Background text adapted from Wikipedia

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2022 by Brett Green
Page Created 13 June, 2022
Last updated 14 June, 2022

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