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Meteor Productions P-40B/Hawk 81 Super Detailed Cockpit Set with Seatbelts kit number CEC32145 |
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Reviewed By James Kelley, #42103 |
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MSRP: $25.99 USD When Trumpeter introduced the Curtiss P-40B/Hawk 81 Kit, large-scale aficionados had a 1/32 scale, overall accurate tiger to add to their collection. One of the major gripes critics had regarding this kit was the cockpit. Like the F4U-1D kit, complete with floor (which Corsairs didn’t have!), this kit was too much of a good thing. The inaccurate flooring came up so high, the scale pilots wouldn’t be able to see over their knees! All kidding aside, the side panels were much too short, and the flooring wasn’t accurate. The actual aircraft’s cockpit floor was the ventral aspect of the main wing section, and was hence curved. There were a few other relatively minor shortcomings to this kit, but the obvious deformities of its primary focal point was the most distressing to modelers. Enter Meteor Production’s resin works, “Cutting Edge Model Works”. In the typical tradition of this company, they produced one of their “Super Detailed” cockpit sets. Molded in the by-now-familiar tough, but very easy to work with gray resin, this cockpit set will add accurate detail to your large-scale P-40 in a big way. The set is comprised of 13 gray pieces, an acetate instrument dial panel, and a resin seat harness (cast in Cutting Edge’s “poseable” resin formula). The poseable belts and harnesses cast in this manner are outstanding; they alone add a touch of detail and realism to any kit, and are the perfect finishing touch to an outstanding set like this! The detail on this set must be seen to be appreciated; for example, the forward end of the plane’s fuel tank is molded into the headrest/bulkhead, which is a nice touch. The various throttle and control handles are nicely represented here, and the side panels, which are the correct height (or should I say depth?) mesh accordingly with the wing/floor. The pilot’s seat is accurately shaped, and will be a welcome relief for the kit’s misshapen one. Also included is a comprehensive, step-by-step instruction sheet with clear photos of where things should go, and a few helpful suggestions. Cutting Edge products have a reputation for highly accurate, nicely-fitting resin detail sets, and this one lives up the company’s name…and more importantly, to modeler’s high expectations! Very Much recommended to anyone who plans to invest in the Trumpeter P-40B kit. My sincere thanks to John Noack, 1st VP IPMS/USA, and Dave Klaus of Meteor Productions for the opportunity to review this detail set! |
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