Airscale B-24 Instrument Panel Upgrade (PE32 LIB for Hobby Boss)

[Mike]

B-24 Instrument Panel Upgrade (PE32 LIB for Hobby Boss)

1:32 Airscale

 

 

You'll probably all have heard of Airscale and their product range to help modellers that like to detail their cockpits in the shape of instrument dial decals, Photo-Etch (PE) parts and so forth, and if you've ever seen Peter's work, you'll also know that he's a perfectionist who always seems to be happy, which is a nice combination.

 

 

 

The set arrives in a ziplok bag with a card insert in the front, instructions on the back, a fret of thick gauge Photo-Etch (PE) brass with a nickel plating, a sheet of instrument decals on a black background covered in a sheet of translucent protective paper.  There is also a small sheet of transparent acetate for you to add actual lenses if you're so minded.  Each decal is printed with an individual carrier film, but cutting them closely is recommended to remove as much of the clear overhang as possible in order to ease fitting the decal onto its backing.  The main panel is built up in order (back to front) from the featureless backing piece, the decal sheet the optional clear acetate glazing, then the front heavily etched panel, which has bezels, fasteners and recesses etched in for realism.  On top of this are placed the steering column panels, and the Direction Finding, Throttle Quadrant and Oxygen sub-panels are all built up in the same way.  You will need to trim the acetate (if using it) to accept the kit knobs and levers, and of course the throttle quadrant won't need any acetate, but it will require your attention due to the forest of levers sprouting from the grooves.

 

 

The decals are printed by our friends at Fantasy Printshop, so quality, registration, colour density and sharpness are all good. 

 

Conclusion

I've used Peter's decals a number of times over the years, and they're brilliant.  Although it's a drop-in replacement for the kit panel, the set will take some effort to put together, and careful painting is a must, with a completed example shown on the rear of the instructions to prove that Peter uses his own products.  You'll also find painting guidance notes under that picture, which is great news.  Is the effort worth it?  Absolutely and unequivocally yes!

 

Extremely highly recommended.

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of Peter at