#580 RWD-8 DWL
A simple build of the RWD-8 DWL Polish trainer 1:72 model 72502 from IBG Models (no electronics - yet).
Notes
The RWD 8 was designed in response to a Polish Air Force requirement in 1931 for a basic trainer aircraft. DWL (Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze) workshops produced aircraft for civilian use only.
I picked up this kit for a couple of reasons:
- as my first experience with a kit from the Polish model manufacturer IBG models who specialize in a range of Polish subjects
- it’s an interesting subject - strikes me as the kind of plane that Hergé would have loved to draw for a Tintin adventure (he didn’t, AFAIK)
- my first attempt at painting a 1:72 scale plane with an airbrush
The Kit
I purchased the kit direct from IBG models. Very reasonable pricing, including shipping (Poland to Singapore).
- 2 main sprues
- 1 clear sprue
- decal sheet - single option
Paint
| Color/Part | Recommended Paint | Paint Used |
|---|---|---|
| scarlet (nose) | 70.817 Vellejo Model Color | 70.909 Vermillion |
| white grey (wings and rear fuselage) | 70.993 Vellejo Model Color | 70.907 Pale Grey Blue |
| black (prop and wheels) | 70.950 Vellejo Model Color | 70.950 Black |
| interior | 70.843 Cork Brown | |
| seat | 70.941 Burnt Umber |
Sealed with with Mr Hobby Flat Matt Topcoat.
I didn’t put any primer down first and learned to regret it - when removing masking tape for the “red swish” I managed to peel away big chunks of the base coat which hadn’t adhered well to the plastic.
Model Construction
The kit goes together very easily:
- parts fit well with virtually no flash
- quite simple - only 31 parts
- exterior surfaces are reasonably detailed, but detail in the cockpit is quite limited
The kit could probably do with some after-market detail.
The only addition I’ve made is tail control wires with QW-Model Q04004 0.047mm rubber rigging.
I subsequently found some suitable photoetch - PART S72086 1/72 RWD-8 Siedlce - that adds mainly cockpit detail I am missing. I might just have to build another RWD-8.. IBG have at least 4 variants to choose from!
Final Thoughts
This is a great little plane that I’d never heard of before. It’s very nicely rendered by IBG Models - excellent mould quality. It’s are very simple kit but also very cheap, which is nice.
The only real negative was the decals - I found the carrier material seems not to be completely transparent; I’m seeing distinct yellow tint (at least from some angles). I don’t think that was my fault in application.
I’d like to try another kit from this company. Perhaps one of their other 1/72 subjects e.g. 1/72 PZL.42 that come with photo-etch, or their more detailed 1/32 planes and 1/35 vehicles. Or perhaps another RWD-8 from the 4 variants IBG have to choose from, along with after-market PE to detail the cockpit.
Credits and References
- this project on scalemates
- RWD-8 DWL - IBG models site
- RWD-8 DWL - on Scalemates
- PART S72086 1/72 RWD-8 Siedlce - photoetch
- QW-Model Q04004 0.047mm rubber rigging
- RWD-8 - wikipedia
- IBG Models