Briefly considered the most technologically advanced fighter plane in the world, the PZL P.11 was Poland's primary fighter during Germany's Polish Campaign. Limited production and superior foreign designs in Germany and the USSR made the P.11 obsolete even before the first tanks crossed the Polish border. The enemy's fighters and bombers were faster and better armed, regardless, Polish pilots defending their homeland shot down a considerable number of German planes, in about a 1 to 1 ratio.

On September 1, Capt. Mieczyslaw Medwecki became the first victim in air-to-air combat in WW2. 20 minutes later Medwecki's wingman, Wladyslaw Gnys claimed the first Allied air-to-air victories with the downing of two Dornier Do.17s. Another P.11c pilot was the first to successfully ram another aircraft in WW2.

With Poland overrun, most P.11s were transferred to non-combat duties or scrapped.

The Model:

Peter built his Mirage kit out of the box, spending most of his time on reproducing the unique Polish colours. Using Model Master paints, he custom mixed a match to original Polish khaki samples held by the Krakow Aviation Museum. Techmod decals were used, and an aerial wire was done with fly fishing tippet, and stretched sprue.