Aires

1/32 Junkers Ju-87D/G Stuka Cockpit Set For the Hasegawa Ju-87

Stock Number: 2068

Reviewed By  Floyd S. Werner, Jr, IPMS# 26266

MSRP: $65.50 Web Site: www.aires.cz I would like to thank Aires for the review copy. The Hasegawa Ju-87 Stuka series is a wonderful model, but it does lack some detail in the cockpit area. Aires, which I consider some of the best interiors on the market, has a large multi media cockpit set that addresses the lack of detail in the kit cockpit. Molded in light grey and caramel colored resin, the cockpit includes a new floor, as well as, both side walls. The size of these parts is impressive as is the detail that is represented. The detail on these parts alone will add dramatically to your cockpit, but Aires doesn't stop there. The smaller detail parts are equally beautifully cast. How they can get such undercuts molded so well is beyond me. You get an MG-81Z and the homing antenna assembly.

There is also a instrument panel molded in clear resin that will look very realistic under a coat of paint. I think the only drawback here is the lack of masks for the dial faces. This is really just a formality as you just have to add a drop of your masking fluid to save the faces. An acetate instrument panel will go behind the clear resin and a drop of white paint on the back side will bring the instrument panel to life. A fret of photo etch is included. The use of the photo etch is smartly thought out. The seat belts are included with the belts and the buckles. I always hate when photo etch is used to represent something that is three dimensional, but that is not the case here. The two instruction sheets show the whole assembly process in a clear and easy to understand way. You will need to thin the sidewalls of the kit. This is because Aires always strives to represent the real thing as close as possible. That being said, Aires is also the best sets for whatever they represent. With the huge resin sidewalls, cockpit floor, and the beautifully undercut resin parts, as well as, the photo etch parts and the clear instrument panel this set is an excellent addition to your Stuka. The cost is justifiable to me with the level of the detail and the amount of resin and the multi-media additions. This is a typical Aires set with excellent detail and thoughtful use of photoetch. Highly recommended You can obtain your copy of the cockpit set at your local hobby shop or directly from Aires at www.aires.cz . My thanks to Aires for the chance to review this excellent set.

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.