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Sukhoi Su-27 Wheels (648653 for GWH) 1:48 Eduard Brassin Kit wheels are generally in two halves, which means you have the resultant joins to deal with, possible mould-slip issues on single part wheels, and sometimes less than stellar detail due to the moulding limitations of styrene injection technology, especially in the tread department. That's where replacement resin wheels come in, with their lack of seamline and superior detail making a compelling argument. They are also usually available at a reasonable price, and can be an easy introduction to aftermarket and resin handling, as they are usually a drop-in replacement. As is now usual with Eduard's smaller resin sets, they arrive in the new shallow Brassin cardboard box, with the resin parts safely cocooned in bags, and the instructions folded around acting as padding. Inside are six resin parts on five casting blocks, and in a separate bag, kabuki tape masks to allow you to cut the demarcation between tyre and hub with little effort, and a small sheet of Photo-Etch (PE) with extra details. Eduard’s casting is the benchmark by which others are judged, and this is no different from the norm. Detail is exquisite, and to maximise this the brake sides of the main wheel hubs are separate parts that glue into the recess in the back of the wheel. You are given instructions to create hoses for the hubs too, which involves three short lengths of 0.4mm wire draped around the hub, and at the front you have a choice of two central discs. The nose wheel is a single part, but it has the traditional slatted mudguard trailing it, with PE support struts and two “skirts” at the sides to reduce spray even further. The detailed painting guide is scattered through the instructions, and as usual quotes Gunze colour codes along with the colour names to assist with painting. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Su-27UB Interior 3D Decal (QD72020 for Zvezda) 1:72 Quinta Studios When Quinta’s innovative products first came to our attention recently, they caused quite a stir, as well they should. The replacement Instrument Panels and internal details are mind-boggling to look at, because we’re used to seeing simplified styrene instrument panels, or pre-painted Photo-Etch Brass panels with either two layers of etch, or laminated parts that can be tricky to glue together, even though they are pre-painted for your ease. But decals? These aren’t your run-of-the-mill decals though, they’re 3D printed in many layers and colours on a flat carrier film, having as much in the way of relief as is needed to complete a realistic panel printed in the correct colours, complete with shiny dial faces, MFDs and metallic-effect hardware, often also including cushions and seat belts in the set. Each set arrives in a ziploc bag with two folded instruction booklets protecting the decals, which are also separately bagged, so they should reach you in good condition. The pictorial instructions are printed on glossy paper, and are shown in full colour as befits the detailed nature of the sets, showing exactly where each part should go on the actual model, so there’s no confusion due to pictures speaking a thousand words, as they say. Additional hints and instructions for the uninitiated are also included, marking out parts needing bases, kit parts and other useful tips. The technical instructions in the text-based sheet give additional tips to the new user about maximising adhesion and preventing lift at the edges by wicking in super glue. Application is much the same as your standard decal, but you will need to remove any raised detail that would be underneath the location depicted in the instructions, and some new parts will need small backing panels or bases on which to apply the decal. A slim piece of sheet styrene would perform that task, and painting the edges a matching colour should minimise its appearance or turn it completely invisible. This set is patterned for the 1:72 Zvezda kit of the two-seater Sukhoi Su-27UB, so you get two of pretty much everything. The set comprises two sheets of decals, containing instrument panels; multiple large glossy instrument dials and a couple of small MFD panels on inserts, having a deep green shiny finish, just like the real displays when switched off. Side consoles and cockpit sidewalls are covered in new panels with quilted insulation, and the seats are decked out with new belts, cushions and leg harnesses to replace the kit parts, the cushions having a realistic crinkled finish to the vertically stitched surface and side-panels. The interior is in the more modern bluish grey shade, and you will of course have to remove the moulded-in detail to the cockpit surfaces. The detail is still impressive in 1:72, and includes sections of the bulkheads behind each ejection seat. Conclusion The detail on the parts is impressive for the scale, especially in the seat department. Any Quinta outfitted cockpit really needs a crystal-clear of opened canopy to show off the details. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of