Lewis Mk.II WWI Gun

Eduard BRASSIN, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brad Fallen

Eduard's 1/48 BRASSIN Lewis Gun Set is available online from Squadron.com

Eduard’s release of Brassin 1/32 and 1/48 Mk.II Lewis guns is welcome news for World War I aircraft modellers. The Mk.II was the first version of the Lewis gun designed specifically for airborne use, and together with the similar (but unshrouded) Mk.III was near ubiquitous on Allied aircraft for most of World War I. 

Pilots and observers used the gun in a variety of configurations, while captured examples were popular with German aircrew.  And while current injection moulding technology can produce impressive results (Wingnut Wings 1/32 guns particularly come to mind), resin remains the best media for capturing the fine details of barrels, stocks and magazines.  This is clearly demonstrated by the 1/48 sample I’m examining here.

The set includes two complete Lewis guns (no parts are provided to finish these as a single twin-mounted weapon, although I suspect that with some good reference photos this would be straightforward to scratch build).  The gun bodies and barrels – the latter fitted with protective shrouds – have been cast as a single part, to which the stocks, barrel tips and circular ammunition drums need to be carefully added. 

Completing the gun is a tiny photo-etched sight – which I suspect will be as tricky to fit as it looks, because Eduard have provided six spares just in case.

All parts on the review sample have been perfectly cast and sensibly engineered, with thin attachment points that should be easy to clean up.  You’ll need to take care doing this with the handgrip stocks, however – these are tiny parts for which no spares are provided.

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The set is rounded off by instructions with a large, clear assembly illustration showing exactly which parts go where.  Painting suggestions are also included.

Finally, if you’re after an unshrouded Mk.III Lewis gun, Eduard also makes these in both 1/48 and 1/32 scales.

Eduard’s 1/48 Lewis gun Mk.II set is a thoughtfully engineered product that will enhance any World War I aircraft model in this scale.  I have no doubt that its 1/32 equivalent is of an equally high standard – and probably slightly easier to assemble!  Highly recommended.

Thanks to Eduard for the samples and images.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2016 by Brad Fallen
Except Blue Background CAD Images by Eduard
Page Created 6 December, 2016
Last updated 6 December, 2016

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