RW Eduard Lysander...A Pig Of A Kit

AeroplaneDriver · June 28, 2020, 10:53:53 PM

So lets just start by saying I remember one of my very first kits way back c.1977 being a Matchbox Lysander, and I've loved the aircraft ever since. Now that I build almost exclusively 1/48 it was only a matter of time before I sprung for Eduard's Lysander Mk.III Profipack.

In the box the kit looks nice enough with a few bits of resin and some nice PE, mostly for the cockpit. With a fairly low parts count (most parts seem to go in the cockpit), I decided to give it a shot about a week ago after finishing my OWGB build.

A few days later I was ready to chuck the damned thing in the bin. It really is not a great kit. The are zero alignment pins anywhere on the kit. And while detail is nice, especially in the cockpit, but it just wanted to fight me at every step. Once it came time to fit the 5-piece greenhouse canopy/windshield affair and the associated wing carry through I decided it was time to pack it back up and find a less stressful hobby.

But after a few days at the coast I decided to power on through and see what I could do with it without putting in too much frustration. So here she is.

Kit decals for a 161 Sqn machine in 1942 were used, because I like the SOE machines, but didn't want to do the all over black scheme also included. I masked the grey/green with Silly Putty for a hard edge and if I'd been in a better mood with it would have done the same for the black, but the example hanging in the main hall at the Smithsonian Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum Annex seems to have a softer edge on the black, so masking was skipped and I freehanded it. It's not my best build ever but I am glad I followed through and now have a good "4-footer" of one of my favorite WW2 aircraft on the shelf.

.

Dizzyfugu · June 28, 2020, 11:37:57 PM

Turned out nicely!

Scotaidh · June 29, 2020, 12:57:55 AM

You won!

It looks really good.

Well done, you!

[I'm normally not one to be effusive, but after the struggle you describe I feel you deserve a few superlatives, not only for the result but also for sticking to it.

]

Caveman · June 29, 2020, 01:36:35 AM

Claim victory and go get your tea and medals. That's turned out nicely

zenrat · June 29, 2020, 02:56:25 AM

Looks alright to me.

NARSES2 · June 29, 2020, 06:26:46 AM

Well you can certainly put that down as a triumph

chrisonord · June 29, 2020, 06:46:48 AM

That looks Bob on that does.

I am glad you persevered with it, as you have done a splendid job you really have. It's obvious to me in this day and age that manufacturers are not making enough effort to make their stuff actually fit together, its as though they are going backwards.

Tophe · June 29, 2020, 06:56:45 AM

Congratulations, winner!

NARSES2 · June 29, 2020, 07:12:20 AM

Quote from: chrisonord on June 29, 2020, 06:46:48 AM
That looks Bob on that does. I am glad you persevered with it, as you have done a splendid job you really have. It's obvious to me in this day and age that manufacturers are not making enough effort to make their stuff actually fit together, its as though they are going backwards.

The problem is Chris that that is quite an old kit originally produced by Gavia in 2001 and on top of that it was one of their earlier attempts. Eduard have a habit of re-boxing some quite old kits and you have to be careful with them. On top of their game they are brilliant but as said quite a few kits aren't theirs.

Old Wombat · June 29, 2020, 08:19:11 AM

You done good, mate!

AeroplaneDriver · June 29, 2020, 09:41:45 AM

Thanks for the kind words fellas. As big of an ordeal as it was it's rewarding to see it finished. I think I've earned nice stress free build now though!

chrisonord · June 29, 2020, 10:18:53 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on June 29, 2020, 07:12:20 AM
Quote from: chrisonord on June 29, 2020, 06:46:48 AM
That looks Bob on that does. I am glad you persevered with it, as you have done a splendid job you really have. It's obvious to me in this day and age that manufacturers are not making enough effort to make their stuff actually fit together, its as though they are going backwards.

The problem is Chris that that is quite an old kit originally produced by Gavia in 2001 and on top of that it was one of their earlier attempts. Eduard have a habit of re-boxing some quite old kits and you have to be careful with them. On top of their game they are brilliant but as said quite a few kits aren't theirs.

Cheers Chris, I didn't know that they were in the rebox game too, in 19 years you would have thought it could have been improved though.

Wurgerman · June 29, 2020, 06:03:40 PM

Lovely Lysander, great stuff !

Wurgerman

Mossie · June 30, 2020, 05:00:21 AM

You managed to bludgeon it into submission and made it look great in the process.

And it's a Lizzie!

NARSES2 · June 30, 2020, 05:48:19 AM

Quote from: chrisonord on June 29, 2020, 10:18:53 AM

The problem is Chris that that is quite an old kit originally produced by Gavia in 2001 and on top of that it was one of their earlier attempts. Eduard have a habit of re-boxing some quite old kits and you have to be careful with them. On top of their game they are brilliant but as said quite a few kits aren't theirs.

Cheers Chris, I didn't know that they were in the rebox game too, in 19 years you would have thought it could have been improved though.
[/quote]

Probably about 50% (maybe more ?) of their output is someone else's original tool mate and some of their own earlier stuff can be "interesting"