Aires Bf.109G-10 Cockpit Set (for Revell) 1:32

[Mike]

Bf.109G-10 Cockpit Set (for Revell)
1:32 Aires

Revell's new 109 Gustavs have only just arrived, and we reviewed the -10 with Erla-Haube canopy here in March. This new set from Aires takes the kit cockpit and throws it away, to be replaced by a new highly detailed resin assembly. Arriving in a blister pack, the set consists of fourteen resin parts on seven casting blocks, a small Photo-Etch (PE) sheet, and a printed clear acetate sheet for the instrument panel.

The main cockpit tub is moulded as a single part, and has a substantial moulding block under it that has a lot of resin under the rear bulkhead. This will need careful removal that is probably best done with a grinding wheel on a Dremel, being sure not to breathe in the fine dust. The remainder of the casting blocks are relatively easy to remove, and the parts fit together in much the same way as the kit parts, but with the seat moulded into the floor, and a choice of two types of centreline cannon breech covers supplied to suit the mark. The instrument panel is based upon a resin backing plate that has moulded detail in places, while the rest is portrayed by a lamination of PE parts and the clear acetate film, which will need painting white on the back to make the printed instruments show up. A pair of film squares are also used to add the glass to the gun-sight, but watch out for the kit fuel line, which is the only part left of the original cockpit. Aires must have decided this part was suitable, and as it is a clear part, you can leave the pilot's sighting glass section unpainted, or with an amber glaze to depict the fuel within the line.

The rest of the PE is used for small details around the cockpit, such as levers, rudder pedals, a rear-view mirror mount, trimming wheels, plus a highly detailed set of seatbelts that are made up from separate belt and buckle parts to give a realistic looking set of harnesses that just need painting. It would have been better for the buckles to have been plated to have a realistic metallic sheen from the start, but everyone doubtless has their favourite metallic paints, so it's not a big problem.

Conclusion
A really nicely detailed set with fine moulding that should look superb under a coat of paint. The instructions warn of the need to thin the styrene parts and suggest dry-fitting to ensure a proper assembly, but this is pretty much the standard with aftermarket cockpits. Having said that, the parts in the set seem to mimic the kit parts closely in terms of constructional shape, and I suspect that once liberated from the casting blocks, it could well be a drop-in replacement.

Highly recommended.

Review samples courtesy of

distributed in the UK by Hannants Ltd.

[horrido109]

Thanks for the review Mike. I have to say, your photography is excellent! I makes reading your reviews an absolute treat.

Victor

[Mike]

Thanks Victor Experience borne mostly from my own mistakes