The original ICM kit got a lot of bad press when first released as the manufacture was appalling. There were many sink holes and flash and many parts were incompletely moulded making them unusable. Also the wing tips were a different thickness to the wings. Since ICM seem to have sorted out the manufacturing problems and I think they also reworked the wings tips which should now fit properly. Ultracast make a lot of replacement parts and accessories for this kit. Seats, wing tips, props, intakes, cannon blisters etc.
145 Squadron were not a Polish Squadron. The aircraft belonged to the Polish Fighting Team in North Africa.
The Polish Air Force HQ was keen to acquire experience in air support operations which would be of considerable benefit in the invasion of Europe. This led to the proposal, in Oct/Nov 1942, to form an elite Polish fighter team to be sent to N. Africa to become proficient in combat tactics specific to that campaign. Middle East Command approved the proposals and fifteen pilots, ten officers and five NCOs, were selected from 68 volunteers to form the Polska Elipa Myśliwska or Polish Fighting Team. Air Ministry and RAF communications called them the Polish Combat Team. The unofficial name was Skalski’s Circus. They arrived in N. Africa in March 1943 and assigned to 244 Wing and attached to 145 Squadron (C Flight) for logistic purposes. At first they were equipped with Spitfire Mk Vbs but requests for better equipment were answered after two weeks when they became the first unit in N. Africa to receive Spitfire Mk IXcs.
All the PFT’s Mk IXs were early production IXcs with short intakes (parts D10, D11, & D12) and early (MK V) tailplanes (parts D1 & D2).
On 28th march 1943 F/Lt Horbaczewski flew EN267 when he scored a Ju 88 over Sfax. The first of five that he scored in Africa it was also one of two initial victories for the unit that day. Several other victories were obtained with this machine, on 7th April F/O Sporny downed a Me 109. On 22nd April F/Sgt Sztramko destroyed a Me 109 and Macchi 202. When landing afterwards EN267 sustained damage when a tyre burst. On 6th May S/lr Skalski damaged a Me 109, the last victory for the flight. In 40 days the PFT scored 25 confirmed, 3 probables and 9 damaged.
EN459 ZX-1 undergoing repair at Gabes after sustaining serious damage in combat. Used by S/Ldr Skalski on 28th March to score the other of the two victories that opened the PFTs score. Also a Ju 88. The original Ocean Grey/Green camouflage can be seen in the area normally covered by the wing roots. Unfortunately it is not possible to tell what colour was used to paint the undersides.
The aerial mast has been left in Ocean Grey and the dielectric base unpainted. The serial number was painted on the rudder trim tab in Roundel Blue.
More information and photographs of the PFT can be found here:
http://www.geocities.com/skrzydla
http://www.roman.biskupin.wroc.pl/pftzdj.html
