T-28 Engine & Airbrake sets (for Roden) - 1:48 Quickboost (QB48459 & QB48471)

[Mike]

T-28 Engine & Airbrake sets (for Roden)

1:48 Quickboost (QB48459 & QB48471)

The new Roden kit reviewed here has a few rough edges, but is a nice kit overall, but as always can be improved upon. Aires' range of fast, drop-fit improvements are well named, and here we have two sets for review.

T-28 Engine

This is an incredibly detailed rendition of the T-28's Wright Cyclone R-1820 radial engine, sweeping away a number of parts from the kit, but with no instructions, the modeller is forced to guess what should be retained. This modeller feels that parts 5E, 19A, 10E, 1E, 2E, 7E, 6E, 3E and 16B could all be consigned to the spares bin, but replacement pushrods will be needed to replace those lost with 5E, so take care when making your decision.

As the casting includes the back-plate 16B, it is a drop-fit into the fuselage with the above-mentioned caveats of the push-rods. Part 4E would seem to be retained, but don't take my word for it – check your references!

Detail is exceptional, as would be expected from Aires products, and if you feel the engine needs some work, this is a worthwhile upgrade.

T-28 Airbrake

The kit airbrake is necessarily chunky to survive the injection moulding process, although it does have the characteristic lightening holes moulded in. The resin part however is much more dainty, reaching scale thickness, and having internal structure moulded in. The lightening holes are flashed over with a thin skin of resin, but this is easy to remove with a sharp knife, drill bit, reamer or similar. A pair of retraction arms are also included to replace the overly thick parts supplied with the kit.

A simple replacement that improves detail, with no fettling of the remaining kit parts required, it lives up to the brand name – Quickboost.

Review samples courtesy of

Distributed in the UK by Hannants Ltd.