History 

The small and simple sport plane, which was designed three quarters of a century ago is still popular 

today, and also a first class legend for many. Trener is really multitalent aircraft, as it won numerous 

aerobatic trophies, trained thousands of pilots, and towed countless gliders to the sky.

This kit: Z-526AFS Akrobat

The history of aerobatic specials of the Z-26 series began on April 

16, 1966 with the maiden flight of its first single seater Z-526A 

(A standing for Akrobat). However, the requirements of aerobatic 

pilots were higher, so two years later the Z-526AS (Akrobat Special) version was prepared for the World Championships in Germany. 

The aircraft met the requirements of FAR Part 23 for the Special aerobatic category with a +7/-4.5 g-force load compared to the 

previous +6/-3 g-force. The flaps were deleted, and the cabin received a new better shaped canopy. The Walter Minor 6-III developing 118 kW (160 hp) was retained. In 1969, the M-337 engine was modified to a fully aerobatic version, the M-137A offering 130 kW (180 hp) of power. It did not take long it was used for aerobatic version as well as for the Z-526 two seaters. All five Z-526AS produced were converted to the Z-526AF version by installing the M-137A into redesigned fuselage (shortened by 18 cm). In an effort to save weight, hydraulic landing gear with a hand pump was installed so the aircraft could fly without a battery and generator. Engine had to be started either by an external power source or manually. 

As a brand new type of aerobatic aircraft (which came in 1975 as 

Z-50L) was still in sight and another aerobatic world championship was being held in 1972, the Z-526AF was further redesigned. 

On September 25, 1970, the OK-YRA aircraft, converted from the AF 

version to the AFS, took off. The wingspan was shortened, earning 

this version its nickname “Kraťas” (translates “Shorty”). 

The wing received twin ailerons which together with new aerodynamic wing-to-fuselage joint provided further improvements in flight 

characteristics. Apart of five examples rebuilt from the Z-526AF, 

the new Z-526AFS examples received the electrically operated landing gear again. All the modifications resulted in a 35% increase in 

longitudinal axis maneuverability. And athough the Z-526AFS was 

no match for the top aerobatic specials, it became popular with 

pilots and 45 were manufactured. A number of successful pilots, 

such as Petr Jirmus, started their aerobatic career flying Z-526AFS. 

It also marked the peak of the Box Trenér group in 1982 with pilots 

Jiří Tlustý, Božej Struž, Antonín Klimenda and Laco Trebatický

Info from Eduard

In the box 

Packed in the standard top opening box, this kit is based on the Zlin Z-226 Trenér, reviewed by Rowan Baylis - https://aeroscale.net/news/z-226-trener---limited-edition-dual-combo.

Although this kit is based on the trainer version, there isn't a lot in common with the plastic parts.

There is a new sprue for the wings and fuselage, and a new internal sprue. Only two sprues are common to both kits, sprue E and the clear sprue.

The kit comes with three grey plastic sprues, one clear sprue, one photo etch sheet (pre-painted), a mask set, instruction book, and one large sheet of decals.

The three sprues holds are nicely moulded with no flash present and ejection pin marks pretty much tucked away.

The main fuselage on the real aircraft was a series of welded metal tubes, and Eduard have captured the "ribbed" effect very well.

External detail for the wings is in the form of recessed panel lines and embossed rivets, the ribbed fabric for the control surfaces has been reproduced very well and hasn't been overdone.

For some of the marking options there are wingtip tanks to be added, and Eduard have supplied masks for the flashes found on the side of the tanks.

Detail for the interior is pretty good in this small scale, with the cockpit having a fair few parts. 

The instrument panels can be either multiple photo etch parts or you can use the supplied decals, of which there are several variations.

As this is the acrobatic version, only one seat is found in the cockpit and this comes with a multipart harness.

Once installed and painted up the cockpit should look pretty decent, and you will notice the detail under the bubble canopy.

The main undercarriage wheel bays don't have a lot of detail in them.

The main undercarriage legs are one piece each, and do look very flimsy, so care needs to be taken not to break them.

The wheels are one piece each, with separate hubs. The tyres are unweighted but do have a tread pattern on them. 

Masks for the tyres are supplied, which seems a bit daft as the hubs can be painted separately.

The wheels don't actually stow away in the conventional sense, but protrude a little once raised.

The tail wheel is made of multiple parts.

The cowling and engine face are all separate parts, and there is a choice of two parts for the port side, depending on which markings you are building.

A very small propeller (I mean its really small, how did this actually  move the aircraft lol), with separate prop hub for the kit is supplied.

The canopy comes as a two piece, with the front screen separate. The canopy can be modelled open or closed.

The canopy parts are crystal clear and have raised framing.

The canopy is a bubble type, and gives the aircraft a completly different look to the trainer version which sports a greenhouse style canopy.

Various grab handles, and mirrors are attached to the canopy, with all of these parts supplied as photo etch.

A handy set of masks for the canopy is supplied, but only for the outside edges of both parts of the canopy.

Instructions, decals and markings 

The instruction booklet is the typical Eduard style with the build taking place over 7 pages, with internal colours, variations and any P.E parts highlighted during the build. 

Construction looks to be pretty straightforward, with any optional parts highlighted in blue.

Making you choice for which ,arking option you are doing will need to be done from step 1 of the build, as the various aircraft have different parts and colours.

As usual from Eduard all internal and external colours are from the Gunze Sangyo Aqueous Hobby colour and MR Color range of paints.

One large sheet of decals are supplied, which carry all of the markings and some of the livery of the aircraft. There are very few stencils to be applied, which is aleways a good thing in my book, as I do hate having to apply several thousand stencils for an aircraft.

These are printed inhouse by Eduard, so applying them should be pretty straightforward, although care must be taken applying any thin decals as they do tend to fold over themselves on occasion.

Five marking options are supplied,, all of which are in different  colourful and striking schemes.

Full page colour guides for each option is supplied.

The marking options are as follows - 

A - Z-526AFS Akrobat 1/48 - Z-526AFS, SP-CSU, s/n 1226, Piotr Haberland, Żelazny Aerobatic Group, Zielona Góra airfield, Poland, mid 2007.

B - Z-526AFS Akrobat 1/48 - Z-526AFS, OK-CXA, v. č. 1218, Jiří Kobrle, Jičín Aero Club, Czechoslovakia, 1975.

C - Z-526AFS Akrobat 1/48 - Z-526AFS, I-IOIO, s/n 1330, Silvio Bellei, Sassuolo airfield, Italy, 1994.

D - Z-526AFS Akrobat 1/48 - Z-526AFS-V, OK-CXC, s/n 1220, Olomouc Aero Club, Czech Republic, 2011.

E - Z-526AFS Akrobat 1/48 - Z-526AFS-V, OK-ERE, s/n 1307, Točná Aero Club, Slaný airfield, Czech Republic, 2014.

Conclusion

A bit of a left field release by Eduard, but one that must mean a lot to the good folks at Eduard, and being a Czech sports plane probably helps its cause for its release.

This is not your usual run of the mill military aircraft, but with markings this colourful and the superb detail added to this kit it is definitely worth buying.

The kit looks to be a relatively easy build, but there are a few bits to watch out for as various choices need to be made during the build.

Some very colourful marking options are supplied.

Mfg. ID - 82184

Suggested Retail - 18,13 £

Related Link - https://www.eduard.com/eduard/z-526afs-akrobat-1-48.html

Our Thanks to Eduard!

This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. 

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.