Caracal Models 1/48 MiG-29 Polish Air Force 'Heroes of Kosciuszko' Part 2 Decal First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Here is the latest release from Caracal Models, this time rendering some impressive markings for the Great Wall Hobbies' 1/48 MiG-29 (9-12) kit. This is part one covering the Polish Air Force's commemoration of the 'Heroes of Kosciuszko', a Polish Air Force squadron which became 303 Sqn (Polish) of the RAF during World War 2 before reforming in Poland after the war. This commemorative aircraft carries the Kosciuszko badge atop the airframe and two likenesses of Wing Commander Marian Pisarek on the inboard surfaces of the vertical stabilizers.

Pisarek was a PZL P.11c pilot in 141 Sqn of the Polish Air Force during the German invasion before he and a number of other pilots found their way to England to join 303 Sqn. Pisarek served in 303 Sqn during the Battle of Britain before being posted to 308 Sqn and subsequently command of the RAF's 1st Polish Fighter Wing consisting of 303, 316, and 317 Squadrons. Shortly after his promotion, Marian Pisarek was shot down and killed during a combat mission along with the Squadron Commander of 317 Sqn S/L Piotr Ozyra.

The commemorative aircraft itself is:

• MiG-29 (9-12), 56, 1 ELT, Minsk Mazowiecki AB, 2012, 'Wing Commander Marian Pisarek'

The markings are nicely printed (by Cartograf) and provide national markings, distinctive commemorative markings, as well as a nice set of airframe stencils. The decals are all single-layer - none of them require you to stack one decal atop another to recreate complex art as with some other decal manufacturers.

For more information about this set and the other releases from Caracal Models, visit their website at http://caracalmodels.com.

My sincere thanks to Caracal Models for this review sample!