1/72 WW2 Czechoslovak Air Force Single Engine Fighters

(A nostalgic journey through my modelling past)

Gallery Article by Jan Mikes on Oct 28 2003

  Czech Republic National Day 

 

My early modelling period‘ was between the ages of 10 and 17. I returned to the hobby two years ago at the age of 27. Now I mainly build 1/48 jets, but I always like to examine my old 1/72 props.   

There is no shortage of subjects for those interested in WW2 CzAF. Pilots of Czechoslovak Air Force pilots took part in every major campaign of WW2. From Polish campaign in 1939 and Battle of Britain to Invasion of Normandy. During the WW2 20 pilots of CzAF gained status of ‘Ace’, including highest scoring allied ace of the Battle of Britain – Josef Frantisek.   

The models I present in this article are products of this ‘early modelling period‘ (when I was 10-17 years old). The quality of the models reflect this. However, I think historical background I add could be interesting to some fellow modellers. Personally, I take this article as nostalgic journey through my modelling past.  
This is SMĚR 1/72 Curtiss Hawk 75 piloted by Alois Vasatko, highest scoring Czech ace of battle of France in May/June 1940. The contribution of the CzAF on Allied side is reflected in the fact that 2 of 5 top scoring aces of Armee de l‘ Air were Czech pilots. 

Alois Vasatko scored total of 15 kills. After the retreat from France he took part in the Battle of Britain (with 312. (Czechoslovak) Squadron). 

He was KIA in June 1942 when he crashed mid-air with Fw-190 during the dogfight. When his plane was falling from the skies the sea, he still kept firing from all his cannons. He was probably dead already, but his comrades insist this was last farewell to them from their commander.

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This SMER 1/72 Hurricane Mk I represents machine used by 310. (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain. Note Czech symbol – the lion on the ingine cowling. Other Czech unit taking part in the BoB was 312. (Czechoslovak) Sqn. (311. Czechoslovak Bomber sqn was engaged in offensive actions over occupied Europe during BoB - and thus is technically also BoB participant). 

Majority of Czechoslovak pilots served in other than Czech units during the BoB. The top scoring RAF’s pilot in Battle of Britain was Czech ace Josef Frantisek. Frantisek served with 303. (Polish) Squadron. Frantisek scored 17-1-0 kills in BoB in just one month of operational flying. (He was killed in an accident on 8 October 1940)  

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In May 1941 another Czechoslovak fighter unit was formed – 313. Squadron. The Squadron was formed from experienced pilots serving till then in non-Czech Squadrons of RAF. Unlike other RAF’s Czech units that were 100% staffed by Czech AF personnell, ‚313’s ground staff was British while operational pilots were Czechs. 

This is Revell 1/72 Spitfire Mk II in colours of 313. Squadron, summer 1941.

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This is Heller 1/72 Hurricane Mk. IIc flown by top scoring Czech WW2 ace Karel Kuttelwasher. He got most of his victories in ‚night intruder‘ missions over France and the Low Countries in 1942. At that time he server with 1. Sqn RAF with number of other Czech pilots that offically formed a Czech flight within the squadron. Kuttelwascher’s total WW2 score is 21 victories (15 in night intruder missions). Kuttelwascher quit operational flying in September 1942 and he subsequently took part in propaganda campaign by Czechoslovak government-in-exile to propagate Czechoslovak war effort and to recruit volunteers for RAF’s Czechoslovak squadrons.

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In August 1942 Czech squadrons took part in operation to provide air cover for raid ill-fated invasion to Dieppe,France. Aircraft taking part in this operation were painted four white stripes on their engine cowlings and horizontal control surfaces. This SMER 1/72 Spitfire Mk 5 represents machine serving with 310. (Czechoslovak) Sqn. RAF. 

This is one of last (=better) models of my ‚early modelling period‘. I made number of modifications in cockpit, made new vacuformed canopy so I could make the cockpit open. I also cut some conrol surfaces to enliven the model.

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All Czechoslovak Spitfire squadrons (Nos 310,312,313) took part in Invasion of Normandy. This 1/72 Kopro Spitfire MkIX was intended to represent machine of 312. Sqn with invasion stripes.  I built the model when I was 10 years old. I guess this was my second or third model ever. The clipped wing and pointed rudder are inadequate for machine that took part in invasion with ‘312 Sqn’. I used my daddy’s car paints for camouflage. And… because Kopro model’s decal sheet lacked stencils, I picked them up from other sheets available – look at ‘RESCUE’ arrow lower on the wing root – it is from F-16 decal sheet. I just thought it looked cool!

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This is KOPRO 1/72 La 5FN of 128. Czechoslovak Independent Regiment, September 1944, flown by its commander, Frantisek Fajtl.  In February 1944, group of 20 CzAF volunteers arrived to Russia from England. Plan was to form nucleus of air regiments being established to provide air support to Czechoslovak Army Corps on the eastern front. In August the uprising against Germans erupted in Slovakia and the unit left to assist the uprising. On 17 Sept 1944, pilots landed on rebel territory being the first unit of Czechoslovak exile army to come back to Czechoslovak soil. The main task for the regiment was ground support for the rebel army, but its pilots shot down 12 enemy airplanes in air-to-air combat while losing two, air-to-air.  The uprising was defeated after two months. Pilots whose planes were destroyed and could not left Slovakia with their planes, joined guerilla units and fought on as foot soldiers.

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This is 1/72 Kopro model of Spitfire Mk.IX. This is the plane flown by Otto Smik when serving with 312. (Czechoslovak) Squadron. Otto Smik (12 victories plus 3 V1s) was highest scoring ace of Slovak origin in WW2 Czechoslovak AF. During invasion of Normandy, Smik shot down three Fw-190s, but later he was shot down himself. He managed to avoid captivity and with the help of Dutch resistance he crossed enemy lines and reported back to his unit. He was also probably the youngest of Czechoslovak aces (he scored his 5th victory at the age of 21). Otto Smik was KIA by enemy flak on 28 Nov 1944 while leading his 127. Squadron in attack on railway station in Netherlands. He was 22 years old.

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A handful of Czechoslovak AF pilots fought the war with the Free French forces of General De Gaulle. This particular plane is the on one piloted by Lubomir Ulehla during allied advance to the Germany in spring 1945. The model is old Revell 1/72 P-47 Thunderbolt.  

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I hope you enjoyed some historical background I provided to my old, old models.

I plan to make similar collection of WW2 airplanes over next couple of years. This time it will be in 1/48. I plan to include bigger Czech WW2 aircraft like Wellington,Liberator, Beaufighter, Mosquito and Il-2 Stormovik.  

Greetings,  

Jan Mikes

      

Photos and text © by Jan Mikes