Quinta Studio Mi-24V Hind & NATO Hind Interior 3D Decal (QD48026 & QD48036 for Zvezda Kits) 1:48

[Mike]

Mi-24V Hind & NATO Hind Interior 3D Decal (QD48026 & QD48036 for Zvezda Kits)

1:48 Quinta Studios

 

 

When Quinta’s innovative products first came to our attention recently they caused quite a stir, as well they should.  The replacement Instrument Panels and internal details are mind-boggling to look at, because we’re used to seeing simplified styrene instrument panels, or pre-painted Photo-Etch Brass panels with either two layers of etch, or laminated parts that can be tricky to glue together, even though they are pre-painted for your ease.  But decals?  These aren’t your run-of-the-mill decals though, they’re 3D printed in many layers and colours on a flat carrier film, having as much in the way of relief as is needed to complete a realistic panel printed in the correct colours, complete with shiny dial faces, MFDs and metallic-effect hardware, often also including cushions and seat belts in the set.  Other brands are starting to come to market now offering similar products, but in this reviewer’s personal opinion the Quinta sets are still the best.

 

Each set arrives in a ziplok bag with two folded instruction booklets protecting the decals, which are also separately bagged, so they should reach you in good condition.  The pictorial instructions are printed on glossy paper, and are shown in full colour as befits the detailed nature of the sets, showing exactly where each part should go on the actual model, so there’s no confusion due to pictures speaking a thousand words, as they say.  Additional hints and instructions for the uninitiated are also included, marking out parts needing bases, kit parts and other useful tips.  The technical instructions in the text-based sheet give additional tips to the new user about maximising adhesion and preventing lift at the edges by wicking in super glue.

 

 

Application is much the same as your standard decal, but you will need to remove any raised detail that would be underneath the location depicted in the instructions, and some new parts will need small backing panels or bases on which to apply the decal.  A slim piece of sheet styrene would perform that task, and painting the edges a matching colour should minimise its appearance or turn it completely invisible.  While some might argue that they’re not really decals, they arrive on decal paper so to me they’re decals.

 

 

This set is patterned for the Zvezda kit so that you can depict it in the older green cockpit for a Soviet era aircraft, or a NATO chopper with black interior and an almost identical set of instruments.  Each set comprises one large sheet of decals, containing instrument panel sections, multiple switch panels festooned with buttons, dials and other instruments, and a single screen, the black version supplied on a separate section for additional depth when complete.  The Soviet era panels are in the Emerald Green shade, while the NATO bird is deepest black, and both include additional consoles, panels and a full set of crew seatbelts.

 

Pictures shamelessly taken from Quinta’s own website

 

Conclusion

The detail on the parts is incredible, even down to the infinitesimal switches, the texture of the belts and impressive crispness of the set.  Any Quinta outfitted cockpit really needs a crystal-clear of opened canopy to show off the details.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

 

Crocodile Hind (48026) Emerald Green Interior

 

NATO Hind (48036) Black Interior

 

Review sample courtesy of