Dora Wings 1/72 Westland Lysander Mk.III (SD) Kit First Look
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | February 2020 | Manufacturer | Dora Wings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Westland Lysander Mk.III (SD) | Scale | 1/72 |
| Kit Number | 72023 | Primary Media | Styrene, Photo-Etch, Resin |
| Pros | Crisp moldings, fine recessed scribing | Cons | Novices might consider kit complexity daunting |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (GBP) | TBA |
First Look
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Originally designed as an army cooperation aircraft, Westland’s legendary Lysander evolved into a celebrated “special duties” (SD) machine for clandestine operations.
And it’s in that guise that Dora Wings presents its phenomenally intricate, 1:72-scale Westland Lysander Mk.III (SD).
Where to start?
Let’s shoot to the bottom line: this kit sports quality standards that, frankly, shame manufacturers of larger-scale kits. The crisply molded, virtually flash-free plastic parts sport stunning detail, including:
- fine, recessed and raised scribing
- clear canopy with fine, raised framing
- superbly detailed interior with instruments, ribbing, joysticks, seats, and controls that almost builds into a separate model
- an 14-part engine/cowling subassembly
- undercarriage options
- separate, delicately rendered, fabric-covered control surfaces
- canopy masks for Lysander’s capacious glazing
Engineering intricacy, however, might prove daunting to novices.
The 3-part cowling with choice of cooling gills, for instance, features no locating devices. You fit plenty of petite power plant parts into that housing.
With dozens of plastic and photoetch parts, the aforementioned interior builds into a separate module that sandwiches between fuselage halves. Add the 7-part canopy/rear decking subassembly with wing location slots. And the whole fuselage assembly will also demand exacting attention to fit and alignment.
What I plan to do? Just read directions – and take my time.
Easy-to-follow, 10-page instructions include a capsule history, parts map, 22-phase assembly sequence, and painting guides.
The colorful, precisely printed decals depict 3 Lysander SD schemes:
- Lysander Mk.III (SD) V9289, No.357 Sqn, Burma, 1945
- Lysander Mk.III (SD) V9367, No.161 Sqn, 1944
- Lysander Mk.III (SD) V9287, No.161 Sqn, 1942
What a magnificent little miniature. I suspect we’ll see more of these gems from Dora Wings. In the meantime, grab this gorgeous effort.
With thanks to Dora Wings for the sample.