1/72 Anatra DS Anasal ‘Czechoslovak Version’

The Anatra DS Anasal is one of the lesser-known but historically interesting biplanes from the First World War period. The Anatra Anasal aircraft were built at the factory of the Italian entrepreneur Anatra in Odessa, in what is now Ukraine. The French designer Elysée Alfred Descamps was involved in their design, and the aircraft was based on a German biplane produced under licence. The name ‘Anasal’ itself is an abbreviation of ‘Anatra Salmson’ – named after the Salmson engine used.

Following the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and during the turbulent period at the end of the war, the Russo-Polish War and the Russian Civil War, the Anatra aircraft served a wide range of operators. One of the later operators was the newly formed Czechoslovakia, which acquired more than twenty of these aircraft. The Anatra was used by the Czechoslovak Air Force, and after being decommissioned from military service, some were purchased by civilian flying clubs. One aircraft has survived to this day and is on display at the National Technical Museum in Prague. A distinctive feature of the Czechoslovak Anatras was their modified exhaust system, which set them apart from aircraft operated by other users.

According to the manufacturer, this kit from Planet Models is the brand’s first kit produced entirely via 3D printing. The decals offer three colour schemes: one Air Force aircraft, one from a civilian flying club, and one in the form in which it can be seen today in the museum exhibition — allowing the model-maker to choose between military, civilian and ‘museum’ versions of one and the same type. The pack does not contain the paints or adhesives required for assembly.