Wish list - Fox One 1/144 Finnish Lysander Mk. 1

I intend to have three aircraft in my Rapid Fire! rules inspired Finnish air force. A fighter (Me109), a bomber (JU-88) and a observation aircraft. The rules are slightly different for the recce plane, whereas one fighting aircraft model represents six 'virtual' aircraft in the game the single observer denotes just one plane. Plus that plane must be unarmed.

I checked up to see what reconnaissance aircraft the Finns used during WW2 and as usual they flew anything that was available short of a hot air balloon  But among the specialist military observation planes they used were the British made Westland Lysander Mk. 1, so I went on a search to see if I could find a 1/144 kit for this attractive little single engined plane.

Above: Internet Modeller's Fox One Lysander build review

Well, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that a Japanese company called Fox One does make both a resin kit version of the Finnish Lysander, the bad news is that this is a premium collectors item which costs around £24!

This is a bit of a shock after just paying a mere £4.99 for my 1/144 JU-88 kit. But it would be wonderful to have a Lysander in my Finnish air force, so I am in a bit of a quandary (particularly as pay day is coming up). I have never paid £24 for a kit as yet, and the fact that this price would be for what may be the smallest kit I make has me squirming a bit.

...But look at the photo - she looks so lovely!

The Fox One Finnish Lysander kit is available from Radjapan at a cost of 3,500 Yen (£24)...Should you be as mentally damaged as I obviously am.