X-Planes & Prototypes

PKZ-2 Observation Helicopter (1918)

PKZ-2 Observation Helicopter 1

Eduard Models Logo

SCALE: 1/48

INITIAL RELEASE: 2001

MEDIUM: Polystyrene

RARITY: (3)

 

PKZ-2 Observation Helicopter 2   PKZ-2 Observation Helicopter 3

PKZ-2 Observation Helicopter 4

 

PKZ-2 Observation Helicopter 5

 

PKZ-2 Observation Helicopter 6

PKZ-2 Over the Somme Valley

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ABOUT THE DESIGN

ABOUT THE KIT

During the waning months of World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Army's Major Stephan Petrochy  -- along with Theodore von Karman and Vilem Zurovec -- designed a radical motorized flying machine to replace the dangerous hydrogen-filled balloons then being used to observe enemy positions.  Their odd, spider-like contraption with counter-rotating propellers ultimately made 30 successful tethered test flights before the project was cancelled.  Although never operational, the PKZ-2 was, in fact, the world's first helicopter.

Released in 2001, this 1/48-scale PKZ-2 was a fascinating oddity from Eduard Models, a Czech company specializing in otherwise mainstream WWI-era aircraft .  A 1/72-scale version -- which was nearly impossible to build because of the fragility of its delicate plastic parts -- was released that same year by Roden Models of Ukraine.

This model was built from an original issue.

 

PKZ-2 Observation Helicopter Eduard Box Art

PKZ-2 Original Box Art

 

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