RS Models – 92303 – Zlín XII

Description:

The Zlín XII was a light touring aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia during the mid-1930s by the Zlín Aircraft Company (Zlínská letecká a.s.). It was a low-wing monoplane with a fixed undercarriage and tandem open cockpits, designed for both training and recreational flying. The aircraft was powered by a modest Walter Mikron II inline engine, producing about 65 horsepower, which gave it a cruising speed of approximately 150 km/h (93 mph). Despite its relatively simple and lightweight construction, the Zlín XII was known for its excellent handling characteristics, which made it popular in aero clubs and among private pilots across Central Europe.

One of the most striking aspects of the Zlín XII was its elegant, streamlined design, reflecting the aerodynamic trends of the 1930s. It combined wood and fabric construction with metal fittings, resulting in an aircraft that was both efficient and easy to maintain. Several examples were used for sport flying, training, and even participation in air tours and competitions throughout Europe. Although only a limited number were produced, the Zlín XII helped establish Zlín as a serious player in light aircraft manufacturing before World War II, laying the groundwork for the more successful Zlín training aircraft that followed in the postwar era. Today, it remains a rare and charming example of pre-war Czechoslovakian aviation heritage.

Markigns:

• Czechoslovakia, 1937. Milano Aerosalon exhibit
• Slovakia, 1940, SLeS, Marie Pavlíková
• Yugoslavia, 1938, Maria Draženovič
• Luftwaffe, 1941.

Update with new decals of RS Models Zlín Z-XII kit originally tooled in 2008. Included in the decal sheets there are two specific and special female pilots, Slovak Marie Pavlíková (we haven’t find records about her) and Yugoslav Maria Draženovič, a pioneering Yugoslav aviator, recognized as the first female war pilot in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Born in Borovo, Croatia, she developed an early passion for aviation. At just 14 years old, she enrolled in a civil pilot school without her parents’ knowledge and, by the age of 15 in 1939, had become the youngest tourist pilot in the country.

Kit include resin and PE (photo-etched) parts. All the markings are for open cockpit version.