Red Fox Studio Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (RFSQS-48057 for Hasegawa) 1:48

[Mike]

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (RFSQS-48057 for Hasegawa)

1:48 Red Fox Studio via AMMO of Mig Jiménez

 

 

During the last few years we have been blessed by the introduction of new technologies to our hobby, amongst them being 3D Printing in coloured resins to create instrument panels, dials and all sorts of interior (and exterior) details for our models in various scales.  New company (to us) Red Studio of Hungary have begun producing a range of these panels in various scales under the distribution of AMMO by Mig Jiménez, which broadens their introduction to the market appreciably.

 

Their sets arrive in clear foil bags with a red card topper for display on racking, held together by a single staple.  With the staple undone, the bag empties to unveil a folded card backing that also has the parts printed on its satin surface, a concertina folded instruction sheet, and the sheet of decals that face outward at the back.  The sheets are small, but the detail is exceptional, looking about as realistic as a panel can get at this scale.  The instructions lay out clearly where the parts should go, and the areas that will need their moulded-in detail removing are marked out in blue over photographs of the kit parts, which are also called out by sprue and part number for your ease.  The next step shows where the individual parts should fit, again arrowed to their location on the actual parts.

 

 

This set is designed with the Hasegawa kit of this top-of-the-line 5th Gen American fighter in mind, and includes a choice of two styles of three-part main panels depicting the screens either on or off to suit your preference, plus two large side console decals with their attendant diagonal sections where the consoles rise toward the front of the cockpit.  You’ll need to remove some of the moulded-in details on the kit parts of course, but the effort is most definitely worth it.

 

 

There are a number of notes made throughout the instructions advising you not to try to cut the decals with a scalpel as they could disintegrate due to their delicate nature.  They also tell you that you can apply most types of washes and varnishes over the surface once they are applied, and that once wet they are somewhat flexible, although there are limits of course, which is stated to be 5%.  The resins used in production are also ultra-violet (UV) resistant, so your dials and other light parts shouldn’t be affected over time, retaining the same look as if they had just been applied.  Here is a link to an instruction guide on how to apply this type of decal to your models, which should help you avoid any pitfalls.

 

 

Conclusion

The detail applied to 3D printed instrument panel is at the current apex of realism, and they’re one of my must-have choices of aftermarket for the discerning modeller, essential for the big open expanse that is the cockpit of a Raptor.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of