The Atom Furnace: The Wesland Lysander

I am not sure exactly why I picked the Lysander to build, although I did read a book in which a Lysander was described, was flown by a female resistance fighter, and seemed a rather unique kite. While certainly not a capable fighter it found a niche used for clandestine missions picking up and delivering resistance fighters and spies. Being able to fly into tight spaces and fields, often at night, it could get in and get out. The box art is a MkII loaded with small bombs, but I wanted that night fighter look. It is an older simple kit, but it is surprisingly well molded and the parts fit, so the build went much quicker than I am used to.

The wheels of the Lysander are very large enabling it to land in fields and other questionable environments. These I painted with a black/gray mix.

The landing gear was only three pieces and the wheels are held by molded in pins for rotation. The gear had landing lights which were not molded, so I had to drill out and paint the resulting depressions. I added some window glue to simulate a lens.

I insert this museum photo here as it is the look that I want. A couple of things are missing from this example with will be described as we go. Some Lysanders were painted all black, but I appreciated this variety.

The gear has been given a coat of Testors gloss black. The motor cylinders received a coat of gunmetal mix and then silver highlights. The large three blade prop and spinner are also painted.

The canopies are large open "greenhouses" with boldly molded framing such that it was easier for me (and much faster) to paint free hand as opposed to masking with Tamiya tape. Note in the background that the cockpit and seats (three pieces) have been assembled and painted. While the instructions called for a gray interior???? I used the typical interior green which is supported by historical photos.

Continuing with the cockpit it is installed on the starboard fuselage half. The inside of the fuselage has likewise been given a coat of interior green and closed up. The instrument panel is glued into molded receiving lugs but received an after market, 3D "Print-Scale" panel decal. A minor bit of trimming was necessary, but it turned out well. I cut up some sprue bits and formed some additional "controls" for the cockpit (This kit does lack detail in this regard).

I had a can of Rustoleum Satin Black which I had used on an HE 219 rehab and I liked the look of the finish so I used it here for the fuselage and bottom of the wings and wing struts.

With the fuselage painted and closed, and landing gear glued in place I was able to add pieces included in the kit but not mentioned in the instructions. I knew about this from researching the kit on Scalemates before purchase, a procedure I highly recommend. There were holes started in the landing gear and in the fuselage which I finished drilling out before assembly to accept the 150 gallon external fuel tank and the permeant ladder for the MkIII night fighter. Note the extra braces at the bottom of the ladder. Shown in photos, I used some 0.02" styrene rod from my stash.

A Lewis gun was supplied in the kit and the detail was good, so I decided to use it and add to it with a sculpted bit of sprue for a spent casing bag. Simple gunmetal and brown. I figure a resistance fighter or spy while being taxied about is capable of using the Lewis if needed!😁

Here is the cockpit with the map decal applied, Print-Scale seat belts and the Lewis/platform with four extra ammo drums. The rear canopy fits nicely both open and closed so it will NOT be permanently attached.

The bottom wing halves are attached to the center canopy piece, but be careful of the orientation. I found out the hard way when dry fitting the assembly to the greenhouse that I had installed the wings 180 degrees from where they should be (they fit both ways). Fortunately I was able to separate the pieces before the glue had set and quickly reversed the wings - disaster avoided!

The top half of the wings are glued to the bottom halves, the greenhouse glued in place and the wing assembly glued in place. One thing I have not shown is I did paint one of the two included pilot figures in traditional flight brown etc. colors and remembered to seat him before the Greenhouse went down.👍

Here you can make out the Print-Scale instrument panel and the pilot.

Time for struts. The port side was a perfect fit, but the starboard strut was a little warped so it needed some coaxing and holding.

Not bad!

Now for top side paint. First a black wash for the well molded control surfaces. That also made it easier to hand paint along the panel lines the dark green and sky gray/blue (both custom Testors mixes)

With painting complete it is decal time.

Decals used is a mix. The two top wing roundels are from the kit. The fuselage is from my stash.

The white letters and tail stripes are all from my stash. The black letter/numeral decals are from the kit. Note that the kit did come with the radio wire. A double strand of good scale and not cotton (does not fray). Again you can see the pilot up front.

The next two photos show the rear canopy both open and closed so I can display either way.