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Bristol Mercury Engine
for Lysander Mk.I / III

Mini Craft Collection, 1/48 scale

S u m m a r y :

Catalogue Number:

Mini Craft Collection Item No. MCC4849 – Bristol Mercury Engine for Lysander Mk.I / III. Available online from Hannants and other MCC distributors worldwide

Scale:

1/48

Contents & Media

13 x 3d printed resin parts; instructions.

Review Type:

First Look.

Advantages:

Outstanding detail; perfectly printed; crisp surface textures; obvious improvement compared to kit engine; simple removal and cleanup from printing base.

Disadvantages:

No painting guide.

Conclusion:

This engine is a welcome addition to the growing aftermarket choices for the Airfix 1/48 scale Lysander. More importantly, it gives us a glimpse of what MCC might have planned for future full engine sets. .

Reviewed by Brett Green

FirstLook

 

Mini Craft Collection has steadily built an impressive range of 3D-printed detail accessories, and MCC4849 represents an important milestone for the company. This set is MCC’s first foray into full engine sets, and the subject is an excellent choice: the Bristol Mercury radial is one of the defining features of the Westland Lysander and is particularly prominent behind the aircraft’s distinctive cowling.

 

 

The set is designed specifically for the Airfix 1/48 Lysander Mk.I/III. It comprises just 13 parts in 3d printed resin and illustrated instructions packed carefully into a stout little tin.

 

 

Engine components feature the fine, crisp detail, with sharply defined cylinders, cooling fins and ancillary components. The level of refinement is a significant improvement over the simpler engine treatment in the Airfix kit and provides the modeller with a much more detailed Mercury installation.

The set may be displayed with the cowling removed or opened. The option of open and closed cowl flaps is also offered. The resin for the cowling and flaps is translucently thin.

 

 

The fine printing does mean that care is required when removing the parts from their supports, but this is a small price to pay for the resulting level of detail.

Despite the outstanding level of detail, assembly should be pretty straightforward. With only 13 3d printed parts, including the optional cowl flap and intake parts, the update is very modeller friendly.

 

 

MCC has sensibly focussed on the engine itself rather than trying to turn the release into an unnecessarily complicated conversion. Installation should therefore be relatively straightforward for anyone familiar with working with 3D-printed accessories, although some test fitting and careful preparation will be required.

 

 

MCC4849 is a welcome addition to the growing aftermarket choices for the Airfix 1/48 scale Lysander. More importantly, it gives us a glimpse of what MCC might have planned for future full engine sets. If this first effort is any indication, that is an exciting prospect indeed.

Thanks to Mini Craft Collection for the sample.


Review Text and Images Copyright © 2026 Brett Green
Page Created 18 August, 2026
Last updated 19 August, 2026

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