1:72 Lewis MKII (2 Items)

Lewis MkII 1:72 (GasPatch models)

This product is a resin detail accessory in 1:72 scale, not a model of an aircraft. It serves to swap the coarsely molded plastic machine gun from the base kit for a part with crisp definition. According to the name the package contains two pieces, which will cover a pair of movable mounts or two builds at once. The manufacturer is GasPatch models.

The real subject

The Lewis was a British light air-cooled machine gun with a pan magazine lying flat above the body of the weapon. In aviation service the designation MkII refers to the form adapted for airborne use, which differed from the infantry version in the treatment of the cooling, the stock and the mounting. The weapon served above all on the observer's movable mounts in two-seat machines of the First World War period.

Building and painting tips

Resin castings are made in molds with a release agent whose residue clings to the surface and prevents the paint from adhering. Before you start building, therefore, wash the parts in lukewarm water with a drop of detergent, go over them with a soft brush and let them dry completely. Degreasing is a step that cannot be made up for later. Without it, both the base coat and the paint flake off once dry and a glued joint holds far less well. Once dry, touch the parts with tweezers or through a glove so that the surface is not greased again. Only then apply the base coat and the paint.

Who the set is for

• Builders of 1:72 aircraft models of the First World War
• Modelers who want crisper detail on the weapon than a plastic mold gives
• Users with experience of washing and gluing resin
• Cabinet builds with an open rear cockpit

The accessory is supplied unassembled and unpainted as resin castings. Glue, paints and the base model are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.