RWD-5 Poland to Argentina flight- ZTS modified 1/72 kit

 

As if ready to embark on the transatlantic feat that gave it fame, from Poland to Brazil to Argentina, here is the simple but charming figure of this Polish single-place monoplane.

For those curious about the building process, here is the link to the step-by-step post:
https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2018/10/rwd-5-bis-zts-plastyk-172nd-scale.html

Aftermarket decals and photoetched parts were used on this model, plus some surgery to open the door and engine cover; an engine was added obtained modifying a resin item from Matías Hagen in Argentina.

As it is often the case, I forgot to add the Venturi and Pitot, a fact I only discovered -naturally- after the photo session, so I added those items and photographed the model two more times -images at the end.
It happens.

Stanisław Jakub Skarżyński (the pilot):

 During the research for this model I found a Polish book titled:  "ON THE RWD-5 THROUGH THE ATLANTIC" that describes the whole flight and (to my joy) the stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the plane arrived  in June 11 1933.

The chapter made me giggle continuously, as Stanislaw Skarzynski, the pilot, is exposed to the effusions and celebrations of the remarkable Argentine people. He was impressed when he saw Buenos Aires from the air before landing, and describes its skyscrapers, boulevards and squares.

Once he landed in the El Palomar airport, a huge and enthusiast crowd broke de police and military barriers and launched into the airport. The military personnel, in an attempt to control the crowd, draw machine guns, but that had no effect whatsoever on the crowd. The pilot was squeezed, crushed, embraced, bent, stretched, tugged, given fortifying pats on the back and generally overwhelmed by this traditional demonstrations of affection and admiration.

He finally was taken to the safety of an hangar.

The stay is described as a succession of banquets, festivities, interviews, conferences and social engagements with all the parties involved: the press, the Polish delegation, the military, the wide range of local and foreign authorities and dignitaries, and the public in general. The poor pilot -if completely grateful and gracious- was exhausted and got a cold. He declined to cancel those social engagements and states that he needed super-human strength to endure the endless demonstrations of unquenchable Argentinean love ;-)

He was treated of course to the traditional drink: yerba mate, a sort of hot tea (but nothing like it) served on a gourd and sipped through a straw. Now, we absolutely love this caffeinated, stimulant drink of indigenous origin, but like any other foreigner I know of, the pilot didn't seem to be particularly thrilled by it, although he was gifted a "gourd" (mate vessel) made of silver.

He was awe-struck by the night life of the city (and it is still like that today), where people stay out until two or three in the morning. He was impressed that radio stations will put aside their customarily tango broadcasts and instead play mazurkas and other Polish traditional music in his honor.

He was showered with gifts, and was moved by the demonstrations of affection and respect.

Skarzynski will eventually, at the break out of world war II, join the RAF in several important capacities, but he insisted in getting a combat position. Flying back from a mission in 1942 his plane had to ditch. He made all others evacuate the plane, but being the last, unfortunately he was washed away by the stormy waves.

SP-AJU had one occupant and one door as the RWD-5 bis that crossed the Atlantic, and when later went back to Poland it was reconverted to the original variant as a two-door, two-place plane with a long exhaust and other minor changes in details and decoration, but keeping the registration.