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Savoia-Marchetti S.55 (72015) 1:72 Dora Wings The S.55 was a double hulled flying boat designed and built by Savoia-Marchetti in Italy in the early 1920s. Unusually the designed accommodated the passengers and cargo in the twin hulls and the pilots in the wing centre section. The engines were also unusual in that they were a pair of inline engines mounted above the wing in tandem canted sharply up. The drove contra rotating propellers. The aircraft would become famous for a series of trans Atlantic flights in the late 20s and then the Italian Air Force taking a flight of 24 aircraft to the 1933 Chicago Centaury of Progress Exposition. The Aircraft would be used in a civil capacity in Italy, Russia and the US. Military users would be Italy, Brazil, Spain, and Romania. Only one aircraft survives today being located in Brazil, where bizarrely it was traded for Coffee Beans after its transatlantic fight there! The Kit Dora Wings are becoming know for kitting unusual aircraft and the S.55 certainly fits the bill there. The kit arrives on 11 sprues of grey plastic, one clear film, 2 sheets of PE and two resin engines. Construction begins with the resin engines having their exhaust stubs added. The front fairing/radiator? is also made up at this time, as are the pair of pilot seat. All are put to one side for later. Next up the two hulls need to be made up. These are a main stepped hull bottom with two sides and front/rear decks. Internal structures need to be made up and added before they can be put together. The insides have a lot of detail consistent with a boat structure, while nice most wont be visible. The framework for the engine mounts are then built up and the engines added. Next up the cockpit is built up in the wing centre section. The floor is added with control wheels, throttles and the previously built up seats. The wing centre section can then be closed up. The main outer wings are then assembled from lowers and uppers with a single part control surface. Next up the large tail is built up and attached to its booms. To finish off the wing centre section is added to the twin hulls. Then the outer wings, tail section and engines are added. Markings The decals are from Decograf and look good with no registration issues, there are three decal options provided; S.55 Santa Maria, Reg No. 10015. Atlantic flight 16/02/1927. S.55 Santa Maria II, Reg No. 10016. Atlantic flight 08/05/1927. S.55 JAHU, Reg I-BAUQ ex I-SSAV, Atlantic flight 28/04/1927 (box art aircraft) Conclusion This is certainly an unusual aircraft which should appeal to those who like them, or Italian aircraft, or indeed the modellers of Flying Boats. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

In project by Dora Wings is a family of 1/48th & 1/72nd Lockheed Vega & Orion kits Source: https://www.facebook.com/1929101897320378/photos/ms.c.eJxFzNsNADEIA8GOIh4GQ~;~_NnRQU7ne0tjkkWtEdAoLHBlKtvCT7QUgqFeoLdgvWAgf~_ou9EsKeY0~;wAi8AX2w~-~-.bps.a.2340591472838083/2340591612838069/?type=3&theater V.P.

Dora Wings is to release 1/72nd & 1/48th Percival Proctor Mk.I/II/III & Vega Gull kits. Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2005654616331772&id=1929101897320378 V.P.

Dora Wings has a family of Bloch MB.151/152 & 155 in project Source: https://www.facebook.com/pg/DoraWings-1929101897320378/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2257706667793231 V.P.

Dora Wings is to release a 1/72nd Savoia-Marchetti S.55 kit - ref. DW72015 Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2265902620306969&id=1929101897320378&__tn__=-R 3D renders V.P.

In project by Dora Wings are 1/72nd Westland Lysander kits Source: https://www.facebook.com/1929101897320378/photos/ms.c.eJxFzNsNADEIA8GOIh4GQ~;~_NnRQU7ne0tjkkWtEdAoLHBlKtvCT7QUgqFeoLdgvWAgf~_ou9EsKeY0~;wAi8AX2w~-~-.bps.a.2340591472838083/2340591612838069/?type=3&theater V.P.

Dora Wings has 1/72nd & 1/48th Bellanca CH-200/300 & 400 Pacemaker & Skyrocket kits in project and need your help. Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2014889655408268&id=1929101897320378 V.P.

New Dora Wings project is a Miles Master family Mk.I/II & III, a target tower and an experimental fighter. Announced in three scales: 1/48th, 1/72nd and 1/144th. Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2254229254807639&id=1929101897320378&__xts__[0]=68.ARCLW6FZdIt5Ble-Q0gjhkw0tcQI4MsbyYn33BBsGM6rL6ZMpWkJGejo8MkFssfsZeu8XBjnkY8dJcCnH7Ompu5lZJ_-LiQw9RkOBKtcW6aqqDQr2fDCqQNn6pLfHIrVNxZu4DU&__tn__=-R 3D renders Miles M.9A Master I V.P.

After the 1/48th kits (link), Dora Wings is to release 1/144th Gee Bee Super Sporter R.1 & R.2 racers kits Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2154248744805691&id=1929101897320378 Length of the model -37mm. Wingspan -52mm !!! V.P.

Bellanca CH/J-300 Record Flight 1:72 Dora Wings The Bellanca Aircraft Company was a manufacturer of light an utility aircraft founded by Italian emigre Giuseppe Mario Bellanca in 1927. The CH-300 was a six seat utility aircraft with a high-wing braced monoplane and fixed undercarriage. The CH-300 quickly gained a reputation for outstanding endurance and load carrying capability, which led to its successful operation in a range of environments, particularly Canada, where the RCAF used them for aerial photography. On 5 July 1933, two Lithuanian pilots - Steponas Darias and Stasys Girenas - took off from Floyd Bennet Field in Brooklyn in an attempt to cross the Atlantic and reach Vilnius. The crossing was completed, but the aircraft crashed in a forest at Pszczelnik in Poland, killing both pilots. Dora Wings are a Ukrainian company founded in 2017. They specialise in limited run plastic and multi-media kits of mainly civic aviation subjects in both 1:72 and 1:48 scale. This particular kit comes packaged in a neat, top-opening box adorned with artwork of the subject flying past the Statue of Liberty. Inside are four frames of grey plastic, a small frame of clear parts, two resin parts for the streamlined landing gear legs, a small fret of photo etched parts, decals and paint masks. The frames themselves show a lot of sink marks, but the parts themselves are very well moulded, showing crisp detail and no signs of flash or other problems. Construction begins with the engine and cowling. This is quite a complex sub-assembly, with no fewer than twenty-one of parts needed to complete it (albeit nine of them are exhaust pipes). The finished article will be beautifully detailed, however. The cockpit is similarly well appointed, with separately moulded rudder pedals, twin control columns, bench seat and instrument panel. A small decal is provided to represent the details on the instrument panel. Three different options are included for the main landing gear legs, including the resin option which is used for the second of the three decal options. The wings are split into upper and lower halves, while the ailerons are separate parts. Photo etched parts are used to represent the aileron control rods. With the various sub-assemblies complete, the fuselage halves can be joined. Each side of the fuselage includes half of the undersurface, whereas the upper face is a separate part. The engine sub-assembly can then be added, along with the vertical tail and elevators. Full marks are awarded to Dora Wings for making the rudder and elevators separate parts. Once the fuselage is complete, the modeller just needs to add the wings, various struts and the landing gear. Dora Wings have included decals for three different schemes: Bellanca CH-300 'Lituanica'. This is the orange painted aircraft shown on the box artwork; Bellanca J-300 'Cape Cod'. Flown by pilots Russell Boardman and John Polando from Ne York to Istanbul in 1931. This aircraft is finished in orange with a black upper fuselage; Bellanca J-300 American Legion, East Boston Airport, 1930. Ths aircraft is finished in light grey, with blue flying surfaces. Conclusion Dora Wings appear to have done a good job with their CH-300/J-300. Limited run it may be, but the parts are crisply moulded and it looks like it will be an enjoyable build. An interesting selection of marking options are included, and the paint masks and photo etched parts are also a welcome bonus. Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Dora Wings catalog 2019 is online here: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2340591499504747&id=1929101897320378 Just to say, ok for the Lysander, but what we (I) definitely need is 1/48th de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide/Dominie kits... Dora Wings please think about it for a future release, 2020... V.P.

A new Ukrainian company, Dora Wings, has just released a catalog for 2017. http://www.dorawings.com/ https://www.facebook.com/DoraWings-1929101897320378/ Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1929108013986433&id=1929101897320378 1/144 - ref. ? - Gee Bee R racer 1/72 - ref. ? - Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker (Lithuania) - ref. ? - Westland Wallace/Wapiti 1/48 - ref. ? - Gee Bee R racer - ref. ? - Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker - ref. ? - Westland Wallace/Wapiti V.P.

Percival Proctor Mk.III (48006) 1:48 Dora Wings The Proctor was developed by Percival from their Vega Gull in response to an Air Ministry Specification for a radio trainer and communications aircraft. Percival made the fuselage 6 inches longer and incorporated larger rear windows. Modifications also had to be made to the seats in order that parachutes could be worn. The prototype first flew in October 1939 and was put into production fairly quickly. Over 1000 aircraft were built, the original 222 by Proctors, with the remainder by F Hill & Sons of Manchester. The original marks of Proctor (I through III) were very much of the Gull design, later ones were enlarged, but the larger aircraft suffered in terms of performance. After the war the aircraft were dispersed to various operators. The fleet was grounded in the 1960s due to concerns about the glued joints in the airframe; though some have been rebuilt with modern glues. They still make good light aircraft and inherited the Gulls folding wing which can make storage easier. The Kit Dora Wings is a new company to us, and have kindly agreed to send samples for review. As it is this reviewers opinion that Percival Aircraft made some of the best looking Civil Aircraft in the UK, these new kits are more than welcome. Information and help was gratefully received in the production of this kit from John Adams formally of Aeroclub models which can only be a good thing. Following the 1/72 versions Dora Wings now brings us the 1/48 one. The kit arrives on five spures, a clear spure, a sheets of PE and a sheet of masks (not shown). The parts are well moulded with clean spures, there is a tiny amount of flash which should be easy to clean up. The clear parts are clear with no distortion or other issues. Construction is fairly simple just like the real aircraft. Parts for the cockpit including the seats are made first. The instrument panel being a sandwich of plastic, PE & decals is added to the coming. The wheels and their spats are then made up and then put to one side, as is the tail wheel. The rudder and tail planes are also constructed at this time and put to one side. Next up the engine is constructed, this is also left to one side. The wings are now built up. These have separate flaps and ailerons. A landing light is also included for each wing leading edge. The five part canopy is the carefully made up. Once all the sub-assemblies are complete then main assembly can take place. The cockpit floor is added into the lower fuselage part. On to this the seats and flying controls are added. A rear cabin bulkhead is then added. The lower part, engine and internal parts are the put together with the fuselage sides. The wings are then added. Next up the tail planes, rudder, coaming, and canopy are added. At the front the engine front and propeller are added. To finish up the wheels are added. Markings The decals are from Decograf and look good with no registration issues, there are five decal options provided; LZ766 RAF as seen at Duxford 2017. 605 Royal Danish Air Force, Karup Airfield, 1946/47 Z7237 RAF, 1942 (its worth noting that these markings seem post war not WWII) RAF Serial HM300 but USAAF Markings 1945. W-1 1316 Communications Flight Royal Netherlands Air Force, 1947. Conclusion It is high time that we had some modern toolings of British aircraft from this period. Very Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Arsenal Model Group (AMG) is to release new tool families of 1/48th and later 1/72nd (thread is here: link) Bell P-63 Kingcobra kits. 1/48th first boxing is expected for this Summer. To be followed. Sources: http://amg-models.net/2017/01/17/bell-p-63a-kingcobra/ http://amg-models.net/2017/01/17/bell-p-63c-kingcobra/ http://amg-models.net/2017/01/17/bell-p-63e-kingcobra/ http://amg-models.net/ 3D renders The Bell P-63 Kingcobra is an American fighter aircraft developed by Bell Aircraft in World War II from the Bell P-39 Airacobra in an attempt to correct that aircraft’s deficiencies. Although the P-63 was not accepted for combat use by the United States Army Air Forces, it was successfully adopted by the Soviet Air Force.[2] The production model Bell Model 33; 1725 P-63As produced in various sub-marks. P-63C Second production series differed from the P-63A by being powered by the uprated Allison V-1710-117 engine with a war emergency rating of 1,500 hp (1,120 kW) at sea level and 1,800 hp (1,340 kW) with water injection. The wingspan was reduced by 10 inches (250 mm). A total production run of 1,227 was completed P-63E Essentially similar to the P-63D with the exception of a ventral fin extension and the use of a standard “cab”-style cockpit; only 13 built. V.P.

After the 1/48th kits (link), Dora Wings is to release a 1/72nd Bell P-63 Kingcobra family. More: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2106721216225111&id=1929101897320378 - ref. 72005 - Bell P-63E-1 Kingcobra - ref. 72006 - Bell TP-63E Kingcobra - ref. DW72010 - Bell P-63A Kingcobra Racer (Sohio Handicap) Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2118881271675772.1073741866.1929101897320378&type=3 Box art V.P.

Percival P.10 Vega Gull (48005) 1:48 Dora Wings The Vega Gull was a development by Percival of their earlier D-Series Gull. The main advantages over the earlier design was the addition of a 4th seat, dual flight controls, and flaps were fitted. The airframe was made wider, the wings longer and the airframe made more streamlined. A feature of the aircraft was the ability to fold the wings for storage. The work was attributed to Arthur Bage's arrival at Percival. The resulting Vega Gull had extended range and payload without sacrificing performance. The aircraft was powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Six engine. As well as civilian operators the Air Ministry ordered 15 Aircraft. 11 were used by 24 Sqn RAF, 2 by the FAA, and 3 by British Air Attaches. At the outbreak of WWII many civilian aircraft were impressed into service in Britain and the Commonwealth. The Kit Dora Wings is a new company to us, and have kindly agreed to send samples for review. As it is this reviewers opinion that Percival Aircraft made some of the best looking Civil Aircraft in the UK, these new kits are more than welcome. Information and help was gratefully received in the production of this kit from John Adams formally of Aeroclub models which can only be a good thing. Following the 1/72 versions Dora Wings now brings us the 1/48 one. The kit arrives on five spures, a clear spure, a sheets of PE and a sheet of masks (not shown). The parts are well moulded with clean spures, there is a tiny amount of flash which should be easy to clean up. The clear parts are clear with no distortion or other issues. Construction is fairly simple just like the real aircraft. Parts for the cockpit including the seats are made first. The instrument panel being a sandwich of plastic, PE & decals is added to the coming. The wheels and their spats are then made up and then put to one side, as is the tail wheel. The rudder and tail planes are also constructed at this time and put to one side. Next up the engine is constructed, this is also left to one side. The wings are now built up. These have separate flaps and ailerons. A landing light is also included for each wing leading edge. The five part canopy is the carefully made up. Once all the sub-assemblies are complete then main assembly can take place. The cockpit floor is added into the lower fuselage part. On to this the seats and flying controls are added. A rear cabin bulkhead is then added. The lower part, engine and internal parts are the put together with the fuselage sides. The wings are then added. Next up the tail planes, rudder, coaming, and canopy are added. At the front the engine front and propeller are added. To finish up the wheels are added. Markings The decals are from Decograf and look good with no registration issues, markings 4 options are provided; L7272 ex G-AFWG Allocated to British Air Attache Buenos Aires, Argentina 1939. ex L7272 Sold to Argentine Government in 1946 P10 Requisitioned by the Belgian Government 1939 N7571 Requisitioned by the Royal New Zealand Air Force 1944 Conclusion It is high time that we had some modern toolings of British Civil aircraft from this period. Very Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Another Dora Wings project is a family of Seversky P-35, in 1/48th, 1/144th and maybe 1/72nd. To be followed. For my part I would have preferred a Blackburn Firebrand. Source (see comments): https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2254229254807639&id=1929101897320378&__xts__[0]=68.ARDHKzz_4aRzAKGMWKR3iyv6XxAHRGmxkgIGRdpZJqy27iFF2t-OShgbWaHrQK9dtWr1NaHpjOSK9g-S4uqhQtCXhdPnf5VmmckkS9l21rJ9RIvA60wKqoPrMz1v1p-wBtrTczo&__tn__=-R V.P.

After the 1/72nd kits (link), Dora wing is to release Bellanca CH-300 kits - ref. DW48xxx In project. Release expected in 2019-2020 Source: http://Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2014889655408268&id=1929101897320378 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2106721216225111&id=1929101897320378 V.P.

Dora Wings is to release a 1/72nd Fairey Delta FD.2 kit - ref.72009 Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2106721216225111&id=1929101897320378 V.P.

Percival Proctor Mk.III (72014) 1:72 Dora Wings The Proctor was developed by Percival from their Vega Gull in response to an Air Ministry Specification for a radio trainer and communications aircraft. Percival made the fuselage 6 inches longer and incorporated larger rear windows. Modifications also had to be made to the seats in order that parachutes could be worn. The prototype first flew in October 1939 and was put into production fairly quickly. Over 1000 aircraft were built, the original 222 by Proctors, with the remainder by F Hill & Sons of Manchester. The original marks of Proctor (I through III) were very much of the Gull design, later ones were enlarged, but the larger aircraft suffered in terms of performance. After the war the aircraft were dispersed to various operators. The fleet was grounded in the 1960s due to concerns about the glued joints in the airframe; though some have been rebuilt with modern glues. They still make good light aircraft and inherited the Gulls folding wing which can make storage easier. The Kit Dora Wings is a new company to us, and have kindly agreed to send samples for review. Information and help was gratefully received in the production of this kit from John Adams formally of Aeroclub models which can only be a good thing. It is also this reviewers opinion that Percival Aircraft made some of the best looking Civil Aircraft in the UK, so these new kits are more than welcome. Initially Dora Wings have given us The Vega Gull and followed this up with the Proctor as Percival did. Now the Mk.III is with us. The kit arrives on three sprues of nice hard plastic, detail is good raised and recessed where necessary. The ribbing on the wings is nicely restrained. There is a clear sprue, a sheet of PE and a set of masks (not shown). In other boxings the instrument panel markings were on a film sheet, they are now on the decal sheet. Construction is fairly simple just like the real aircraft. The tail wheel is the first part to be made up and then put to one side. We then move to the cockpit. The instrument panel is made form a plastic part with the film and PE making the front of the panel. This is then added into the coaming. Just to go off on a tangent the wings then put together, these are of convention left/right & upper/lower construction. Separate flaps are included as are landing lights for both wings. Now that the wings are done we can move back to the main cabin, Controls and seats are put in place, followed by the front firewall and instrument panel we put to one side earlier. The fuselage can then be closed up, and the canopy added. At the rear the rudder is added along with the tailplanes, and at the front the engine front and propeller. The wings can then be added along with the main landing gear. Markings The decals are from Decograph and look good with no registration issues, there are five decal options provided; LZ766 RAF as seen at Duxford 2017. 605 Royal Danish Air Force, Karup Airfield, 1946/47 Z7237 RAF, 1942 (its worth noting that these markings seem post war not WWII) RAF Serial HM300 but USAAF Markings 1945. W-1 1315 Communications Flight Royal Netherlands Air Force, 1947. Conclusion It is high time that we had some modern toolings of British aircraft from this period. Very Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

A tardy entry that may come to naught: In keeping with my current racer fetish, I've ordered one of these Hannants aren't showing any in stock yet but hopefully it should make a timely arrival and bring a bit of civilian glamour to this collection of trigger happy warbirds Cheers Anil

First kits from new Ukrainian company Dora Wings (http://www.dorawings.com/) will be 1/144th and 1/48th Gee Bee R-1 & -2 racers. Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1929166587313909&id=1929101897320378 See also Dora Wings 2017 catalogue: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235016727-dora-wings-new-company-programmecatalogue-2017/ V.P.

Percival Vega Gull (72002 & 72004) Civil & Military Service 1:72 Dora Wings The Vega Gull was a development by Percival of their earlier D-Series Gull. The main advantages over the earlier design was the addition of a 4th seat, dual flight controls, and flaps were fitted. The airframe was made wider, the wings longer and the airframe made more streamlined. A feature of the aircraft was the ability to fold the wings for storage. The work was attributed to Arthur Bage's arrival at Percival. The resulting Vega Gull had extended range and payload without sacrificing performance. The aircraft was powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Six engine. As well as civilian operators the Air Ministry ordered 15 Aircraft. 11 were used by 24 Sqn RAF, 2 by the FAA, and 3 by British Air Attaches. At the outbreak of WWII many civilian aircraft were impressed into service in Britain and the Commonwealth. The Kit Dora Wings is a new company to us, and have kindly agreed to send samples for review. As it is this reviewers opinion that Percival Aircraft made some of the best looking Civil Aircraft in the UK, these new kits are more than welcome. Initially Dora Wings have given us two boxings depicting both the Civilian & Military users of the aircraft. Like the Proctor Information and help was gratefully received in the production of this kit from John Adams formally of Aeroclub models which can only be a good thing. Construction is fairly simple just like the real aircraft. The wheels and their spats are the first parts to be made up and then put to one side. We then move to the cockpit. The instrument panel is made form a plastic part with the film and PE making the front of the panel. This is then added into the coaming. Just to go off on a tangent the wings then put together, these are of convention left/right & upper/lower construction. Separate flaps are included as are landing lights for both wings. Now that the wings are done we can move back to the main cabin, the rear bulkhead is installed. Then the controls and seats are put in place, followed by the front firewall and instrument panel we put to one side earlier. The fuselage can then be closed up, and the canopy added. At the rear the rudder is added along with the tailplanes, and at the front the engine front and propeller. The wings can then be added along with the main landing gear. Markings Decals are printed in house For the Military boxing 4 options are provided; L7272 ex G-AFWG Allocated to British Air Attache Buenos Aires, Argentina 1939. ex L7272 Sold to Argentine Government in 1946 P10 Requisitioned by the Belgian Government 1939 N7571 Requisitioned by the Royal New Zealand Air Force 1944 For the Civilian boxing again 4 options are provided; G-AFBC 1952 Kings Cup Air Race, Joan Lady Sherborne. G-AFBW Alex Henshaw, Nicosia, Cyprus 1938. VP-KCC Beryl Markham trans Atlantic flight 1936. G-AEKE Winner of "Schlesinger Race" 1936. Conclusion It is high time that we had some modern toolings of British Civil aircraft from this period Very Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Bell P-63A/C Kingcobra (14401) 1:144 Dora Wings The P-39 was developed to meet a proposal in 1937 for a single engine high altitude interceptor having the tactical mission of interception and attack of hostile aircraft at high altitude. Specifications called for a level airspeed of 360mph at altitude, and a climb to 20,000 feet in under 6 minutes. Armament was to be heavy including a cannon, the engine was to be liquid cooled, and the aircraft was to feature a tricycle undercarriage. Bell had previously designed the YFM-1 Aracuda featuring a mid-fuselage mounted engine to free up space for a large calibre 37mm cannon which would fire through the propeller hub. This was unusual as fighters were normally designed around an engine, not a weapons system. The Bell XP-39 would make its maiden flight in April of 1938 reaching 20000 feet in 5 minutes and maintain 390 mph. However it was found that top speed at 20000 feet was lower than the original proposed 400 mph. Bell would change the aircraft configuration for production to remove the turbo charger so production aircraft were only fitted with a single-stage, single-speed supercharger. Its been argued that Bell did this to save money, though its been said that testing showed aerodynamic issues with it. As a result production aircraft performance declined above 12000 feet and it was never able to serve as a medium level let alone high level aircraft. The RAF ordered the aircraft based on the XP-39 specifications however limitations of the "new" aircraft became apparent, and despite modifications it never was deemed acceptable. Only one Squadron No. 601 would use the aircraft operationally. All UK based aircraft would be sent to Russia, along with aircraft being built under contract in the US. In contrast to the UK, the USSR appreciated the P-39, although they would use it primarily in the ground attack role. The tactical environment of the Eastern front suited a low speed, low altitude aircraft much better. As well as in ground attack the USSR developed successful group aerial fighting tactics for the aircraft. 5 out of the 10 high scoring Soviet aces scored a majority of kills flying P-39's. Contrary to popular myth the Soviets did not use the aircraft for Tank Busting as the US did not supply any armour piercing rounds for the aircraft. A total of 4758 aircraft we sent to Russia. Following on from the P-39 the USAAF wanted a larger aircraft based on the same principal design, this was originally designated the XP-63. The wing was larger with a laminar airflow design and the engine gained a second turbocharger which was remotely mounted to augment the principle unit. The USAAF concluded that the new aircraft was inferior to the Mustang and decided against adopting the type. However as the Russian had shown a liking for, and were the biggest users of the P-39 it was ordered into production as a lease-lend aircraft for them. The Soviets had input into the design and added more armour, extra fuel tanks, and underwing hard points. Bell was happy to do this due to the number of aircraft the Soviets were taking. In later models the cannon was moved forward changing the centre of gravity and allowing more ammunition to be carried. Over 70% of production would reach the USSR. The French Air Force would later get 114 aircraft which arrived to late for WWII but would see service in Frech Indo Chinna. These were mothballed on arrival of the Grumman Bearcat. Post WWII some aircraft were purchased as surplus and made into Air Racers. The Kit Dora Wings is a new company to us, and have kindly agreed to send samples for review. Kits in 1.144 are new to Dora Wings, this being their first, and they have kindly provided us with a sample in advance of them being on sale. Being 1.144 you get two kits n the pack. The kits do not have a mass of parts, but they are detailed for the scale. Construction starts with the cockpit, the front ad rear bulkheads are installed with the seat moulded in. The nose gear is installed on the underside of this part. The fuselage can then be closed up. The wings can then be made up and attached to the fuselage, this is followed by the tailplanes. The canopy can be put on along then with the front gear doors. On the underside of the aircraft the main gear can be fitted along with the tanks and gun pods if needed. Last up the prop & spinner are added. Markings Decals are printed in house and appear to have no issues. An impressive 9 decal options have been provided. P-63C Soviet lease lend aircraft, USSR 1944. P-63C Soviet lease lend aircraft, USSR 1945 "Bell Booby TRAP" painted by unknown American Mechanic. P-63C SC44126 Glendale, 1946. P-63C French Air Force, "Normandie-Nieman" French Indochina 1950. P-63C French Air Force, "Lle France" French Indochina 1950. RP-63A Pinball 1947 (All over yellow). P-63A "55" Winner Sohio Handicap Trophy Race 1948. P-63C "Tucker SPECIAL" Thompson Trophy Race 1946. P-63C "4""Join The Navy Reserve" Sohio Handicap Trophy Race 1948. Conclusion It is good to see a new company producing new aircraft in this scale as fans of 1:144 appear to have less choice than other scales. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Percival Proctor Mk.I (72003) 1:72 Dora Wings The Proctor was developed by Percival from their Vega Gull in response to an Air Ministry Specification for a radio trainer and communications aircraft. Percival made the fuselage 6 inches longer and incorporated larger rear windows. Modifications also had to be made to the seats in order that parachutes could be worn. The prototype first flew in October 1939 and was put into production fairly quickly. Over 1000 aircraft were built, the original 222 by Proctors, with the remainder by F Hill & Sons of Manchester. The original marks of Proctor (I through III) were very much of the Gull design, later ones were enlarged, but the larger aircraft suffered in terms of performance. After the war the aircraft were dispersed to various operators. The fleet was grounded in the 1960s due to concerns about the glued joints in the airframe; though some have been rebuilt with modern glues. They still make good light aircraft and inherited the Gulls folding wing which can make storage easier. The Kit Dora Wings is a new company to us, and have kindly agreed to send samples for review. Information and help was gratefully received in the production of this kit from John Adams formally of Aeroclub models which can only be a good thing. It is also this reviewers opinion that Percival Aircraft made some of the best looking Civil Aircraft in the UK, so these new kits are more than welcome. Initially Dora Wings have given us The Vega Gull and followed this up with the Proctor as Percival did. The kit arrives on three sprues of nice hard plastic, detail is good raised and recessed where necessary. The ribbing on the wings is nicely restrained. There is a clear sprue, instrument panel film, a sheet of PE and a set of masks. Construction is fairly simple just like the real aircraft. The tail wheel is the first part to be made up and then put to one side. We then move to the cockpit. The instrument panel is made form a plastic part with the film and PE making the front of the panel. This is then added into the coaming. Just to go off on a tangent the wings then put together, these are of convention left/right & upper/lower construction. Separate flaps are included as are landing lights for both wings. Now that the wings are done we can move back to the main cabin, Controls and seats are put in place, followed by the front firewall and instrument panel we put to one side earlier. The fuselage can then be closed up, and the canopy added. At the rear the rudder is added along with the tailplanes, and at the front the engine front and propeller. The wings can then be added along with the main landing gear. Markings The decals are from Decograph and look good with no registration issues, there are two decal options provided; P6240 Czech Air Attaché, RAF Hendon 1945 Ex P6240 now D-41 Czech Service, Kbei 1946-49 Conclusion It is high time that we had some modern toolings of British Civil aircraft from this period. Very Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of