{"product_id":"dora-wings-1-72-dora-wings-republic-p-43-lancer-reconnaissance-plastic-model-kit","title":"Dora Wings 1\/72 Dora Wings Republic P-43 Lancer (reconnaissance) Plastic Model Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003e      The Republic P-43 Lancer was a single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane fighter aircraft built by Republic, first delivered to the United States Army Air Corps in 1940. A proposed development was the P-44 Rocket. While not a particularly outstanding fighter, the P-43A had a very good high-altitude performance coupled with an effective oxygen system. Fast and well-armed with excellent long-range capabilities, until the arrival of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the Lancer was the only American fighter capable of catching a Japanese Mitsubishi Ki-46 \"Dinah\" reconnaissance plane at the speeds and heights at which they flew. In addition, the P-43 flew many long-range, high-altitude photo recon missions until replaced by F-4\/F-5 Lightnings (P-38 variants) in both the USAAF and RAAF.\u003cbr\u003e\n      The USAAC considered the P-43 and its variants obsolete from the start and used them only for training purposes. In fall 1942, all surviving USAAF (transitioned from USAAC in June 1941) P-43s were redesignated RP-43, indicating they were unfit for combat.[citation needed] Most of the aircraft that were not sent to China were modified for photo-reconnaissance duties and used for training. Eight P-43s (four P-43A-1s and four P-43Ds) were loaned to the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942 and served with No. 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit. The RAAF flew many long range, high-altitude photo reconnaissance missions before the six survivors were returned to the USAAF in 1943.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dora Wings","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46657548189952,"sku":"DOR72029","price":32.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0613\/6453\/5552\/files\/dora-wings-172-dora-wings-republic-p-43-lancer-reconnaissance-plastic-model-kit-8985008.jpg?v=1760792573","url":"https:\/\/fusionscalehobbies.com\/products\/dora-wings-1-72-dora-wings-republic-p-43-lancer-reconnaissance-plastic-model-kit","provider":"Fusion Scale Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}