Brassin Focke Wulf 190 Cockpit and MG 131 compartment. 1:32

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Focke Wulf 190 Cockpit and MG 131 compartment

1:32 Brassin

Having just finished reviewing the last two sets from Brassin, HERE, a further two sets arrived from Britmodeller HQ. The first is a comprehensive set to replace the kit cockpit and the second is to replace and detail the upper gun mounts between the cockpit and engine bay.

(Cockpit Set 632-056) This set is provided in the small cardboard box now standard for the larger Brassin sets. On opening and removing the top layer of foam, the modeller is confronted with a large resin part, three bags of smaller parts in both dark and light grey resin plus a bag of three etched brass sheets, a small sheet of acetate and a small decal sheet. The single large resin part completely replaces the kits cockpit tub. This will need to be carefully removed from the moulding blocks and have the thinned resin panel behind the seat cut away. The complex seatbelt assemblies are built up from the pre-painted etch sheet and fitted to the seat once the squab and back rest have been added, which is then fitted to the tub, along with the joystick, a small instrument panel between the rudder pedals, and an access panel just behind the seat, (there are two styles of panel to choose from). The rudder pedals are next and these are made up from both resin and etched parts, followed by the lower instrument panel complete with undercarriage lever, rocket and MG FF cannon controllers and a number of other levers, and finally the two piece throttle lever. Before the cockpit can be fitted to the kit fuselage the set adds a three part canopy opening handle, replacement coaming, upper instrument panel, with each instrument provided on the decal sheet and two styles of very intricate gun-sights. The windscreen framing is then added to the kit part, whilst the armoured head rest is fitted to the new canopy decking and fitted with one of two styles of armour support, as both the open and close styles are provided, along with the slide for the canopy movement, all fitted to the inside of the canopy.

MG 131 Mount 632-060. This set comes in the more normal blister pack and contains both dark and light resin parts and a sheet of etched brass. Before doing anything, you will have to remove all the moulded detail off the lower front bulkhead. The replacement bulkhead is made up of a brass panel, to which the various strengtheners and fittings are added. The two resin ammunition tanks are then fitted to the bulkhead hangers. The upper kit decking is completely replaced by a beautifully moulded resin part, to which the replacement MG 131 machine guns are fitted. One of the sets barrels was slightly bent, so some careful manipulation may be required on yours, using some warm water. The ammunition tracks are then attached followed by a PE framework/pipework that sits around the windscreen, the six panel fixings, three per side and the large resin access panel.

Conclusion
Although the new Revell kit has superb detail straight out of the box some modellers are just not content. These sets will certainly scratch that itch with a level of detail that injection moulding cannot, certainly at the price point Revell try to aim at. So if you want as much detail as you can get in your completed model these sets are for you. Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of