Hypersonic F-4 Parts and Edwards AFB Decals. 1:48 Hypersonic Models

[Shar2]

Phantom Parts and Edwards AFB decal shields

Hypersonic Models 1:48

Hypersonic Models, also known as Jeffrey K on Britmodeller have/has been kind enough to send us some of his latest additions to the HM range. The parts, in a dark grey resin, are all well cast, with little clean up required once they have been removed from their moulding blocks and the details are very nicely done. Instructions are very clear, if basic, but this is a one man operation and whilst this shows in the packaging, (poly bags of parts stapled to the instruction sheet), don't let that put you off as the quality is excellent.

The stabiliser sets are meant for all manufacturers releases such as Academy and Hasegawa and are direct replacements for the kit parts. The sets for the slotted, (HMR 48012), and un-slotted, (HMR 48013), stabilisers also come with a jig to set the desired angle of attack and a sheet of etched parts for items such as the cover plates around the axle, and the additional plates on the top and bottom of the stabilisers for use on USAF aircraft.

As per the stabilisers the Auxiliary Intake set provides direct replacements for the kit parts and once removed from the casting blocks and cleaned up they should slot straight into the recesses on the kits nose. The intakes are handed, so make sure you fit them to the correct sides.

There are two sets of ejector seats, one, (HMR 48014-1) for a US Navy aircraft and the other, (HMR 48014-2), for a USAF aircraft. Both are Martin Baker Mk5s, but they differ in the style of harnesses, The oxygen supply is different - the Navy seat has a hose connector terminal in the rear corner, while the Air Force seats have the oxygen bottle (cover) there. There is an oxygen pressure gauge in the seat cushion on the Navy seats that the AF ones don't have, and there is an additional adjustment lever on the AF ones that the Navy ones don't have. The front ejection handle and the shape of the cushion is also different.

. Detail is very good, certainly an improvement on the kit seats. The seat firing handles and moulded separately and from the look of them great care will be required to remove them from the moulding block. The gaps inside the handles are flashed over so more care will be needed to remove this without breaking the fragile resin. Finally a length of wire is provided to make up the pipework on the side of the seats.

The decal sheet Jeffrey sent us provides a good selection of shields used on aircraft based at Edwards AFB and the Flight Test Centre from the 1950’s to the 1970’s. There are four different sizes on the sheet, 7mm, 10.75mm, 15mm, with the "Ad Inexplorata" shields also available in 17.5mm. The decals are well printed, in good register and with minimal carrier film, as they should as they are printed by Microscale, There are no instructions on which aircraft wore which shield, so research is the key in marking up your chosen subject.

Conclusion
Hypersonic Models are completely new to me, but the quality in the parts reviewed here show an excellent attention to detail and Jeffery deserves to do well. Being drop in replacements they should be ok for all levels of modeller that have at least some experience of using resin and etch, plus the adhesives they require. Highly recommended

Review sample courtesy of

[Tim T]

I'm pretty sure that Jonners used these in his build of the Academy Phantom. I seem to recall they looked rather good.

[Jon Kunac-Tabinor]

I'm pretty sure that Jonners used these in his build of the Academy Phantom. I seem to recall they looked rather good.

Yep, sure did.

I have one word for these parts: Excellent.

Great detail on the seats, fit of the etch for the stabs is good, and it really enhance the area: The stabs themselves have very subtle detail too.

And the seats have different belt detail so you dont have "twins" ( USN ones shown)

NB Painting hamfistedness is all mine on these,

.

If you are building a pre 1970-ish B model Phantom - you'll need the MB Mk 5s to be "de rigeur" and in my book Hypersonic hit the nail on the head with these parts - as they are affordable and well executed, and they fit very well, especially the forward air intakes ( which make a real difference in improving the look)

I took the time at Telford to go find Jeffrey and thank him for doing these bits. He's a nice chap with a genuine interest in what he does- he deserves our support, and he has mine 100%.

Jonners - believing in credit where its due.

[Plastic Licker]

If a silly question from a Phantom novice can be excused - could anyone tell me specifically what the advantage of these stabilisers is over the Academy parts? Is at that they're positionable?

[The dragonborn]

Academy placed the panel line that borders the bare metal to the painted section too far inboard, and they got the slots wrong on the slotted one.

I have both of the sets and they are a wast improvement over kit items be they academy or hasegawa.

Edited June 6, 2014 by The dragonborn

[JeffreyK]

A quick comparison photo:

Academy has the slot tabs that mount the leading edge of the slotted stab perpendicular to the leading edge, when they should be parallel to the airflow. The outline of the Academy stabs is correct, but the panel lines are all wrong and often fictional as well. The rivet detail on the Hypersonic one doesn't come out so well in the photo as I didn't highlight it as I did on the Academy one, but it is there. The stabs are not movable on the model, but you can choose the desired angle while building, as opposed to the fixed angles on both the Academy and Hasegawa kits.

Cheers

Jeffrey

[Plastic Licker]

Thanks for the information guys, that convinces me I need to invest in a set!