Republic P-43 Lancer

Pavla, 1/72

Reviewed by Glen Porter

Pavla's 1/72 scale P-43 Lancer is online from Squadron.com
 

The Aircraft

The Republic P-43 Lancer is one of those aircraft that is instantly recognizable as a forerunner of a more successful aircraft - the P-47 Thunderbolt - simply because of its outline. Designed as a successor to the P-35 by the Seversky Aircraft Corporation in 1938, the P-43A was powered by a P&W R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engine and armed with four .303 machine guns, two in the fuselage and two in the wings. Some were later up-gunned with 50 cals. Many were sent to China and eight came to Australia as RP-43Bs and were used in the photo-reconnaissance role. Seversky later changed its name to Republic and went on to produce the super successful P-47 Thunderbolt.

The Model Maker

Pavla, from the Czech Republic, is one of the big improvers in the model world. Ten years ago, their models took considerable effort to build but today, although still not for the beginner, these highly detailed short run kits are so well designed that they almost compete with the big boys. After you have built all of your Messerschmitts and Spitfires, these are the kits to go for.

The Kit

With only one plastic sprue in mid grey, subtly engraved panel details and very little flash, the parts are laid out in a very normal fashion and looks like they will be no problem to put together. In fact, the only shortcoming here is the lack of alignment pins (which is quite normal for short-run kits). Care needs to be taken while assembling these parts.

The resin parts, the highlight of any Pavla kit, are beautifully cast in cream resin with unbelievable detail such as cast-on push rods on the two engine banks and seat belts on the seat. Other resin parts include main wheels, prop hub, undercarriage scissors, control column etc.

Clear parts are vacuum-formed, which is normal in these kits, but will put some people off simply because they can be hard to handle. At least Pavla give you two sets, just in case.

The photo-etched set has only five parts - the instrument panel with clear film for faces and the other four make-up into what looks like two turbo exhausts for the rear lower fuselage. These are exclusively for the  Australian option. I'm not sure exactly what these are or how they are supposed to look on the finished model.

Decals are among the better sets I've seen from this company, having good register and minimum decal film and cover all the necessary markings for the four aircraft involved.

As is usual from Pavla, there are a few small details to be scratch-built but they are simple and shouldn't pose a problem for most modellers.

This is another highly detailed kit from one of the best producers of the unusual. That's why "we loves ya” Pavla.

Recommended.

Thanks to Pavla for the review sample

Review and Images Copyright © 2006 by Glen Porter
Page Created 06 March, 2006
Last updated 05 March, 2006

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