Dora Wings 1/48 Curtiss-Wright CW-21A Kit First Look
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | November 2022 | Manufacturer | Dora Wings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Curtiss-Wright CW-21A | Scale | 1/48 |
| Kit Number | 48049 | Primary Media | Styrene, Photo-Etch |
| Pros | Crisp moldings, fine recessed scribing, clear instructions, beautifully printed decals | Cons | Complexity might dissuade novices |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (Euro) | 29€ |
First Look
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Who’d have thought that we’d ever see an injection-molded, 1:48-scale “Curtiss-Wright CW-21A Demonstrator” – let alone one of such outstanding quality?
But that’s what Dora Wings offers: a stunning, first-generation CW-21 with 102 plastic parts on seven trees, 16 photoetch components, aftermarket-quality extras, comprehensive instructions, and markings for four machines:
- Chinese CW-21 Chunking, China, March 1939
- First Prototype CW-21, St Louis, MO, China, September 1938
- AVG CW-21, Toungoo, China, spring 1941
- First Production CW-21 under Chinese contract, St Louis, MO, March 1940
Popularly but incorrectly dubbed “Demon”, the lightweight fighter – called “Interceptor” in company records – evolved in parallel to Curtiss-Wright’s graceful CW-22 basic combat trainer.
So if you have Dora Wings’ new 1:48 CW-22B, you’ll recognize the wings, landing gear, fin & rudder, and horizontal stabilizers – all married to a modified, single-seat fuselage with larger engine. And like their CW-22B, the lip-smacking level of detail is superb.
The jaw-dropping cockpit alone comprises, if I calculate correctly, at least 20 plastic and photoetch parts. And assembly spans eight eye-crossing panels. Pity the canopy comes in closed position! Add engine and landing gear components, and interior minutiae reach undeniably impressive proportions.
Speaking of the crystal-clear canopy: part of the fuselage is molded with the clear part’s windscreen – making attachment and cleanup ergonomically easy.
A 12-page instruction booklet with parts map, 28-step assembly sequence, and four-page color guide guides you through the build.
Hard to believe that Dora Wings’ remarkably detailed kit is “limited run”. I’ve always loved the sleek, racer-like CW-21. And I can’t wait to tackle this one.
Like Dora Wings’ CW-22, if you order directly from their website, “10% of all orders will be transferred to a fund to support children affected by the war in Ukraine”.
With thanks to Dora Wings for the sample.