Dora Wings Percival Proctor Mk.III (48006) - 1:48 Dora Wings

[Julien]

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

 

[Chaotic Mike]

There seems to be a fair few duplicated parts. Any idea why? (It looks nice, by the way! ☺️) 

[Julien]

2 minutes ago, Chaotic Mike said:

There seems to be a fair few duplicated parts. Any idea why? (It looks nice, by the way! ☺️) 

To get the maximum out of the moulds. Some look the same such as the prop but on closer inspection are slightly different. The sprues for this and the Vega Gull are the same in the box, only the canopy sprues and decals are different.

 

Julien

[Paul J]

The same as the 1/72nd scale kits.

[Don McIntyre]

Thank you for the great photos. This one is definitely on my wants list. I've had a soft spot in my heart (head?) for the Proctor, ever since building the Frog 1/72 kit back in the early 70s… 

Edited February 1, 2019 by Don McIntyre