{"product_id":"mirage-hobby-485003-lublin-r-xiii-ter-hydro-reconnaissance-seaplane-1-48-plastic-model-aircraft-kit","title":"Mirage Hobby 485003 Lublin R.XIII Ter\/Hydro Reconnaissance Seaplane — 1:48 Plastic model aircraft kit","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer: Mirage Hobby\n\u003cbr\u003eKit number: 485003 \/ MIR485003\n\u003cbr\u003eAircraft: Lublin R.XIII Ter\/Hydro\n\u003cbr\u003eScale: 1:48\n\u003cbr\u003eBarcode \/ EAN: 5901461485038\n\u003cbr\u003eKit type: Injection-moulded plastic aircraft kit\n\u003cbr\u003eCountry of manufacture: Poland\n\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer and kit background\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMirage Hobby is a Polish model manufacturer based in Warsaw, particularly noted for producing less-common Polish aircraft, armoured vehicles and naval subjects. This kit fits that speciality very well: the Lublin R.XIII is an important Polish interwar aircraft but a decidedly unusual subject for a mainstream plastic kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 485003 kit was added to commercial catalogues around 2011, although later retail records show releases\/reissues as late as 2015–2018. HLJ records the kit as a Mirage Hobby product from Poland and gives a release date of December 2015 for its particular catalogue entry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe manufacturer's own current catalogue still identifies 485003 and EAN 5901461485038, suggesting that the tooling\/product remains part of Mirage Hobby's catalogue even though availability is inconsistent.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a relatively compact 1:48 injection-moulded kit, supplied as conventional plastic parts on sprues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDocumented contents include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Plastic parts on sprues\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Clear parts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Decal sheet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Assembly instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Painting\/colour instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Components for the landplane\/seaplane configuration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Central float\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Supporting float\/strut assembly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Detailed cockpit\/interior components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA Polish specialist retailer specifically confirms that the kit contains plastic sprues, instructions and a decal sheet, while glue, paint and tools are not included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe product is classified as both a reconnaissance aircraft and seaplane\/amphibious aircraft, reflecting the unusual Hydro configuration represented by this boxing.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe floatplane configuration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe most important difference between this and the land-based Lublin R.XIII kits is the hydroplane equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ter\/Hydro version uses a large central float arrangement in place of the conventional wheeled undercarriage. The supporting struts make this a considerably more visually distinctive model than the standard R.XIII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're buying a used kit, I would specifically check that all of the float struts and float components are present, as these are relatively delicate parts and are much harder to replace than the common fuselage or wing components.\n\u003cbr\u003eOther Mirage R.XIII kits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMirage Hobby produced several related R.XIII boxings. Its catalogue includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    485001 — Lublin R.XIII D liaison\/army-cooperation aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    485003 — Lublin R.XIII Ter\/Hydro seaplane\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe company's catalogue documentation confirms the two kit numbers and their respective EANs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes 485003 particularly useful for anyone collecting the Mirage Hobby Polish interwar aircraft series.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe full-size Lublin R.XIII\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lublin R.XIII was a Polish high-wing liaison and army-cooperation aircraft developed by Zakłady Mechaniczne Plage i Laśkiewicz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe prototype first flew in 1931, with series production beginning during the same year. Sources give roughly 273 aircraft of the R.XIII family, while other historical summaries give a total of around 288 R.XIII-family aircraft depending upon which related variants are included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was a relatively simple mixed-construction aircraft with a fabric-covered structure and fixed undercarriage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts principal role was not high-speed combat but army cooperation and liaison. It could operate from relatively rough airfields and was used for reconnaissance, artillery observation and communication duties.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe R.XIII Ter\/Hydro\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ter\/Hydro was the float-equipped maritime version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOnly a small number were produced compared with the land-based versions. One historical summary gives approximately 10 Ter\/Hydro aircraft, numbered 704–713.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese aircraft were associated with Polish naval aviation and maritime reconnaissance, giving the type a secondary role beyond the much larger army-cooperation fleet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe float-equipped aircraft are therefore considerably less common than the standard landplane R.XIII, which makes Mirage Hobby's decision to produce the Hydro version particularly useful to Polish aviation enthusiasts.\n\u003cbr\u003eService history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy the late 1930s, the R.XIII was becoming obsolete, with newer designs such as the RWD-14 Czapla gradually replacing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNevertheless, approximately 150 R.XIII aircraft were still in Polish military service when Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, with around 50 reportedly assigned to frontline duties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's relatively low performance meant that it was increasingly vulnerable in modern aerial combat, but its ability to perform low-level reconnaissance and liaison work meant it remained useful during the opening stages of the campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hydro machines were especially specialised and operated in the maritime environment.\n\u003cbr\u003eAircraft specifications\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe R.XIII used a Skoda-Whirlwind J5B radial engine producing approximately 220 hp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublished specifications vary somewhat between individual versions, but the aircraft was broadly characterised by:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine: Skoda-Whirlwind J5B\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Power: approximately 220 hp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Configuration: high-wing monoplane\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Construction: mixed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Role: liaison, reconnaissance and army cooperation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Armament: typically a 7.7 mm Vickers K machine gun on applicable military versions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt 1:48 scale, the completed aircraft is a moderately sized model, with a wingspan in the region of 23 cm, depending upon the precise full-size dimensions used for the Ter\/Hydro variant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mirage Hobby","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57509849858428,"sku":"Miragehobby-485003","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0432\/8584\/0033\/files\/3001CF91-7458-4858-B10A-CA3CE9C9B560.jpg?v=1790575317","url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/mirage-hobby-485003-lublin-r-xiii-ter-hydro-reconnaissance-seaplane-1-48-plastic-model-aircraft-kit","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}