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Placeholder for 1/72 Dora Wings P-43 Lancer. To be built as a RAAF Lancer.

Hello everyone. The last finished model. Reconnaissance version P-43. I hope you will enjoy.

A new version of the model from Dora, in the sky of China.

Well I wasn’t going to build another model for the GB as I have quite a few on the go already, but everything is where it should be, so why not. This is one I have wanted to build but haven’t found a build for her. She’s a bit of a rarity in RAAF service, we only had 8 of the Reconnaissance models , 4 B models and 4 D models, 6 arriving in August 1942 (2xB & 4xD). The only difference between the standard P-43A model and the B’s & D’s were the addition of side mounted cameras, the B’s were Ex-Lend-lease aircraft and the D’s were Ex USAAF stock. They were already considered “restricted for combat use” when the RAAF received them. They underwent extensive testing at 1AD and 1 PRU and for a while the D models were considered for ground attack aircraft and were fitted with wing pylons for tanks and bombs. But they suffered problems, besides being a bit underpowered and their brakes had a habit of failing. They were only in RAAF colours for less than a year after which the survivors were returned to the US in June 1943, they ended up being scrapped! The base model is a Classic Airframes model which is becoming very hard to find and expensive when and if you do. And it is Classic Airframes at their greatest.......or should I say worst! This is one to really scare the kids, and some adults as well! It’s quite basic... ...even has some niceish resin bits, though most of the small parts were broken off. The decals are toast, but I’m not using them, I’ll be using the leftovers from the P-39D. I’ll be doing her in a 1 PRU scheme of Olive Drab over Neutral Grey with blanks over the camera ports. Ok the issues...... I’ve seen less flash on some really nasty resin stuff! The moulds for this must well and truly be dead, but you can’t complain when it’s the only game in town! As you can see I’ve made a start on her cleaning up the parts. The U/c legs were really bad. The prop blades not much better. This should be a fairly quick build, I’ve been all over her and there doesn’t seem to be any nasty surprises, she’s just like a resin model, only just made in plastic instead.