Curtiss O-52 „Owl“ – the American/ USSR reconnaissance aircraft

The O-52 "Owl" is an army close reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft, developed by the American firm "Curtiss Wright". O-52 turned out to be lighter, than all machines of the same class, that served in European armies, for example, the English Westland "Lysander" and the German Henshel Hs.126B. However, the practice of hostilities in Europe has shown, that the very idea of classical close intelligence is already outdated. "Owl" could not operate in the conditions of powerful anti-aircraft defense, high concentration of enemy fighters in the air. According to "Lend-Lease" in 1941 19 aircraft of this type were delivered to the USSR. The intensity of "Curtiss" operations in Soviet country was small, meeting the enemy in the air, did not bode well for a slow and poorly armed aircraft, so the flights were mainly carried out at night. "Curtiss" adjusted the artillery fire of coastal batteries of the Baltic Fleet, carried out visual and photographic reconnaissance on the front line, on the instructions of the NKVD threw proclamations and paratroopers into the rear of the enemy (the third person easily fit in the spacious cabin). After the end of the war, only 4 aircraft of this type remained, although in 1944 they were no longer used for combat missions.

Not very complicated, original model, that can be made in one of two versions - American and Soviet. This model is recommended for intermediate and experienced modelers, but under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, the advanced beginner and low-experience modeler can try to glue this model together. But it won't be an easy walk.