Hobby Boss' 1/48 scale
SAAB Lansen B Prototype
by Roland Sachsenhofer
Hobby Boss' 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop is available online from Squadron
The Swedish development Saab Lansen was designed at the end of the 40's as an attack aircraft for sea and ground targets and was in service from 1955 for the "Flygvapnet".
The construction showed enough development potential to be able to derive an all-weather fighter aircraft from it as well as a reconnaissance version. The four 20mm cannons of the A-version were replaced by 30mm ADEN machine cannons, also the engine found a clear performance increase in form of a Svenska Flygmotor RM6A, a licensed version of the Rolls-Royce Avon Mk 47A.
For the development of the new version modified machines from the A-series were used. The Lansen 32502 shown here is one of these test machines. The equipment already corresponds to the new B-series, the extra-long "Gamma" probe at the bow as well as the cockpit hood modified for tests with the new ejection seats make these Lansen at first sight as prototypes recognizable.
A special feature is of course the attractive colour scheme!
This is the Hobby Boss kit.
The decals for this special Lansen were made by Maestro Models, a manufacturer who also supplied the etched parts for the details in the cockpit.
If you compare the kits from Tarangus and Hobby Boss, the Far East Asian manufacturer treats the model builder to a real treat: the parts are free of burrs and cleanly cast, show appropriate structure and details and, with their precise fit, enable rapid construction pleasure.
The possibility of being able to depict the Lansen's air brakes in their extended position is also very pleasing with this kit - especially since Lansens can be seen in the pictures almost exclusively with the air brakes extended. But you should pay attention to the missing inner life behind the airbrakes. Anyway, the elimination of this circumstance does not cause much effort.
In comparison with the Tarangus shapes, the air deflectors of the two air intakes are a bit bulky. With a little grinding you can improve the appearance.
Otherwise, all rear edges of the surface are characterized by an impressive sharpness of shape.
The etched parts from Maestro Models benefited the cockpit. The instrument panels and the harness of the seats, pre-painted in the best Eduard manner, scored particularly well here. In addition, the nose wheel with a new suspension strut scissors and the flow guide plates of the wings replaced with etched parts also gained in realism.
The extra-long "Gamma" probe at the bow as well as the two pitot tubes at the wing tips were made by Maestro Models.
For the design of the NMF surfaces I again used the proven range of Alclad metal colours, the blue tips were applied with the airbrush. The rest of the markings come from a very recommendable decal set by Maestro Models.
I can only recommend the Lansen from Hobby Boss to every interested model builder. Already built from the box a really impressive model can develop, which will provide for model building amusement and pleasure!
If you are interested in the building process, please have a look here on Scalemates:
https://www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=10148&p=albums&album=45335
As ever, remarks will be appreciated: ro.sachsenhofer@gmx.at
Model, Images and Text Copyright ©
2019 by Roland Sachsenhofer
Page Created 12 March, 2019
Last Updated
12 March, 2019
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