As CHRIS CLIFFORD discovers, the 1/48 Vengeance Mk.II from Dora Wings is absolutely packed with fine detail.
Much maligned and misunderstood, the Vultee Vengeance was hamstrung early in its career because it was designed for a role that was becoming obsolete – that of vertical dive-bombing. The type was in fact designed for the French Air Force but, due to Germany's invasion of the country, the contract was collected by Great Britain. However, with no clear use for a dive-bomber, the airframes languished somewhat until fighting grew in the Pacific Theatre, where Japanese targets in thick jungle required more ‘surgical’ attacks… enter the Vengeance with its obvious vertical dive-bombing prowess ready to be exploited. It was flown by RAF, Australian and Indian crews in this role.
Dora Wings’ 1/48 attempt (DW48044) at this characterful aircraft is impressive indeed, there being a feast of detail visible throughout the styrene parts, as well as with the two differently sized photo-etched (PE) brass frets, which carry more than 80 separate components between them. The major fuselage, wing and empennage parts all feature fine panel line/rivet/fastener engraving.
Above and below: Dora’s panel line engraving is bang on, being rest…