FIRST FIRST LOOK:  
Gavia's Lysander (coming this July)

By:  Tom Cleaver

I recently received two sprues of test shots of the upcoming Westland Lysander from Gavia.  The kit is produced by Eduard, and from an examination of these sprues, the kit looks like it will live up to the expectations one would have from the company that presented the Bell P-39 Airacobra, which many feel is one of the best kits to  be released this year.

From what is here, the kit has excellent surface detail, with an accurate representation of the fabric surfaces one would expect from the producer of the best World War I kits available.  The cowling has the bumps associated with the Lysander I and the Lysander III, the two most-used versions of the airplane.  The cockpit interior looks to be state-of-the-art in injection plastic.  We did not receive any clear parts, but modelers should remember there is a Squadron vacuform canopy for the Hawk/Testors kit.  I fitted the glass from an old Hawk kit, and based on that the Squadron vacuform should be very useful and will fit right.

The quality of this kit is such that it makes the 35-year old Hawk/Testors kit completely obsolete and competitive only on the issue of price.

I am told Gavia hopes to have this available at the US IPMS Nationals in July, with a worldwide release shortly thereafter.  Price was not announced, but should be in the area of US$30.

This looks like one to look forward to.

Sprue shots below. (Yes, I know there are no engine or wheel parts. Like Tom said, this is only a couple of the sprues! Ed)