Dora Wings DW 48062 - 1:48 Beaver AL.1

Plastic Model Kit of the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver AL.1 Aircraft in 1:48 Scale

Dora Wings DW48062 is a self-assembly model kit representing the British military version of the iconic Canadian de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver utility aircraft, designated in Army Air Corps service as the Beaver AL.1 (Army Liaison Mark 1). For more than two decades these aircraft served as the primary liaison, observation, and light transport aircraft of the British Army, operating worldwide — from the United Kingdom and Germany to the Middle East and the Falklands War.

The model is made from finely detailed plastic parts. The characteristic high-wing silhouette has been carefully reproduced, with particular attention paid to the supporting wing struts, wing-to-fuselage braces, and the large, highly visible passenger cabin. The cockpit interior includes detailed seats, instrument panel, and control columns, while the photo-etched parts allow additional enhancement of cockpit and exterior details.

Inside the box you will find:

• 174 plastic parts (fuselage, wings, tailplane, landing gear, propeller, canopies)
• 19 photo-etched parts for cockpit and exterior details
• Clear canopy and side window parts
• Water-slide decal sheet for three British AL.1 paint schemes
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model technical details:

• Scale: 1:48
• Catalog number: DW48062
• Manufacturer: Dora Wings
• Finished model length: approx. 194 mm, wingspan: approx. 307 mm
• Difficulty level: intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints, or modeling tools. The model requires assembly and painting.

Building the model:

Thanks to its well-designed tooling, the model will be appreciated by modelers with some experience in high-quality limited-run kits. Working with the photo-etched parts requires precision, but the final result significantly enhances the display value of the cockpit. It is worth spending extra time carefully painting the interior before joining the fuselage halves — once the structure is closed, access to the internal details becomes impossible.

The standard paint scheme for the British AL.1 version consists of dark green and brown NATO camouflage with black undersides for aircraft from the 1960s–1980s, or overall dark green finishes for later service. Recommended modeling paints include Dark Green BS 641 and NATO Black shades. A gloss varnish is recommended before applying decals (to prevent decal silvering), while a satin finish coat reproduces the operational appearance of the real aircraft very well.

Essential tools:

• Modeling sprue cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Modeling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for smoothing attachment points
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for attaching photo-etched parts
• Precision modeling tweezers
• Paint brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Modeling wash for highlighting recessed details and panel lines

About the aircraft – de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver AL.1:

The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a legendary Canadian single-engine utility aircraft whose prototype first flew on August 16, 1947. The aircraft was designed specifically for Canadian bush pilots who required a rugged, easy-to-maintain aircraft capable of operating from improvised airstrips, lakes, and snowfields. Its all-metal construction, spacious cabin, and exceptional STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capabilities quickly made the Beaver a favorite working aircraft in remote regions of Canada, Alaska, Australia, and tropical environments. By the end of production in 1967, more than 1,600 examples had left the DHC assembly line in Downsview.

The AL.1 (Army Liaison Mark 1) version entered British Army Air Corps service in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a specialized liaison and observation aircraft for ground forces. These aircraft served as command transports, casualty evacuation aircraft, liaison transports, and artillery spotting platforms. British Beavers operated in Borneo during the Indonesian–Malaysian Confrontation, in Aden, Cyprus, Germany with BAOR units, Hong Kong, and during the Falklands conflict in 1982. The aircraft remained in operational Army Air Corps service until the late 1980s, when they were replaced by the Britten-Norman Islander.

Technical data of the original aircraft (DHC-2 Beaver):

• Length: 9.22 m
• Wingspan: 14.63 m
• Height: 3.18 m
• Empty weight: approx. 1,361 kg
• Maximum takeoff weight: approx. 2,313 kg
• Crew: 1 pilot
• Passengers: up to 6 persons or cargo
• Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engine, 450 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 255 km/h
• Range: approx. 730 km
• Service ceiling: approx. 5,500 m
• Production: 1947–1967, more than 1,600 aircraft built

About the manufacturer – Dora Wings:

Dora Wings is a Ukrainian model company specializing in injection-molded limited-run plastic kits. The brand focuses on rare, lesser-known, and often forgotten aviation subjects — liaison aircraft, trainers, experimental aircraft, and interwar designs. Every project is preceded by extensive research based on technical documentation and historical photographs. Dora Wings kits are known for their strong level of detail, frequent inclusion of photo-etched parts, and canopy mask sets. The company continues to expand its catalog, giving modelers access to subjects unavailable from larger manufacturers.