Air-Craft Models B-29 Superfortress Replacement Engine Cowlings 1:48

[Mike]

B-29 Superfortress Replacement Engine Cowlings
1:48 Air-Craft Models via Coastal Craft

The Monogram B-29 kit in 1:48 was patterned back in the day using the preserved airframe of Enola Gay as reference, which unbeknownst to them had one unusual feature externally that was applied to only a few airframes. The engines were special high-powered variants of the Dual Cyclone, and as such the cowlings were of a different shape, with a straighter profile viewed from the side. The intake under the main opening was also of a different shape, giving the engines a subtle, but different look.

This set arrives in a small white box that has the product details stuck to the lid. Inside are four resin cowling parts that have been liberated from their pouring blocks and just need a little clean-up on the trailing edges of the cowling flaps, and the removal of some resin wafer that was used to enable the moulding of the aperture at the front. A quick swipe and polish with a sanding stick should see them ready for action, after a bath in warm soapy water to remover sanding residue and any mould release agent lingering on the surface that could affect paint adhesion. The cowling flaps are depicted in a neutral setting just like the kit parts, and the "smile" under the main aperture has a moulded-in intake grill to add detail.

Installation should be fun, as you will have to align the engine/bulkhead part both in terms of depth and centring, which is best done in conference with the kit parts and your references. It would have been nice to have some alignment aids for this process, such as replication of the strips inside the kit cowling and a template for cutting back the bulkhead part. Once you have done one however, the rest will be easy, so take your time over it and trim a little bit each time until you are satisfied.


Conclusion
An important set in terms of external accuracy, unless you are planning on modelling one of those airframes with the more powerful engines. Be aware of the work you will need to do, and you will be happy with the resulting improvement.

Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of