After WWII re-established Czechoslovak Air Force was equipped with Spitfires Mk. IXE and Lavochkins La-7 that came from Great Britain and Soviet Union with Czechoslovak pilots fighting in RAF and CZ units in Red Army. There were also number of planes left behind by the Luftwaffe, mainly Messerschmitts Bf-109 versions G and K. Aircrafts were restored by Avia and used by Czechoslovak Air Force and Police as S-99. But soon showed lack of original DB-605 engines and only 21 S-99 and 29 CS-99 (two seaters) were produced.  Engine was thus replaced with Jumo 211 designed for Ju-88 and He-111 bombers that was accesible in sufficient quantity. The result was marked S-199 (CS-199 for the two-seater). Jumo engine was heavier and with bigger torque moment and parameters of new plane were not satisfactory at all. The pilots called it "mezek" - a short form of Messerschmitt, but also the Czech expression for "the mule", due to its mule-like behavior. The plane was difficult to balance, and had a tendency to roll over during the landing. In spite of these problems 450 S-199 and 82 CS-199 were produced and used until 1955 when the last were replaced with Mig-15's. 

The moment of glory for S-199 came with the Israeli war of independence. Czechoslovakia was the only country ready to equip Israel with aircraft and train their pilots. A number of Spitfires and S-199 were delivered to Israel. Israeli pilots learned to use the excessive engine moment for unexpected sharp turns in combat. According to some sources, if it hadn't been Avias, there would be no Israel. It is ironic that the only Czech plane that played a decisive role in a real conflict was at the same time one of the worst Czech designs. 

This kit I built when I was 15 (some 18 years ago) and this is the oldest kit that I retain till now. It was build OOB with slight modifications (opened canopy, dropped flaps, drilled-out guns and air intake, new pitot tube), brush painted with mixture of  enamels (as I remember it was white automotive base paint toned with modellers enamels). Decals were home made – cut from solid decal painted apropriate color. My only reference for this plane was one side view drawing in some aircraft history book :-).

Happy modelling 

Radim

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