AMS Resin

Corrections and Additions For the Trumpeter 1/32 F-100

Reviewed By  Ed Kinney , IPMS# 2989

MSRP: includes shipping to US addresses. Add $2 for outside the US. See the AMS Resin web site. Fellow IPMS member Harold Offield has offered up a prescription for the well known disease that affects so many of us … "Advanced Modelers Syndrome". Over the years, Harold has been no stranger to IPMS. He is known for his award winning models at several IPMS/USA National Contests during the late 90's and his excellent workmanship is evidenced in these offerings. His first group of products dealt with improving the 1/48th scale F84F kits, and will be reviewed in another segment, cross referenced to my review of the recently received Kinetix kit. If any of you, like myself, have begun construction on Trumpeters' 1/32nd F-100D, you'll undoubtedly come to the inescapable conclusion that this model could use some aftermarket correction products. Well … AMS Resin has come to the rescue with some really neat and necessary "stuff" as pictured here. These pieces are beautifully cast in grey resin, without any visible pinholes, warps or flash. The pour blocks are minimal and easily removed. In short, these products are well engineered and most welcome. This comes as no surprise in that a substantial amount of research and development has gone into perfecting a pressure casting process and vacuum chamber to remove all imperfections. He further states that each piece is inspected and nothing leaves the shop flawed. The currently available F-100 products are as follows (Ed.Note We will add new sets to this review as they become available.): #32003 - 335 gal Tank Inserts - MSRP $ 11.00. These resin plugs are designed to enlarge the kit offerings to the 335 gallon size. Also included is a corrected set of tank pylons with the correct airfoil shape and a RWR fairing. This set requires the kit tanks to be cut and the inserts are then epoxied into both ends. #32004 - 335 gal Tank Extensions with front section - MSRP $ 15.00. This set requires making the same cut on the kit tanks, but eliminates a second seam to deal with. Further, the additional weight distribution forward will help in achieving a correct stance (no tail sitting). Also included are the pylons and RWR fairing. # 32001 - Ejection Seats with or without belts - MSRP $ 12.00. These masterpieces can be used for either kit replacement or to replace the seat offered with the Avionix interior set. They are crisply molded and unlike the Avionix offering, they are cast without the parachute pack installed. Select either depending on your choice of adding belts or painting the beautifully molded in set. They will most certainly enhance the appearance of the "Hun's" front office! # 32007 - FOD cover - MSRP $ 6.00. In the writer's opinion, this accessory is an absolute MUST. The casting is perfect and will close off the frontal opening effectively hiding the inaccurate engine front in the kit. Also, at least in my case, I've repositioned the nose weight to inside the intake trunk, in that my preference was to detail the avionics bay. An absolutely beautiful FOD cover! # 32009 - 200 gal Drop Tanks with corrected pylons - MSRP $ 15.00. These tanks are beautifully cast in 2 pieces and offer the option of this tank not included with the Trumpeter kit. They are crisp and include the correct pylons for the "Hun". Images show the attention paid to detail here, and if you're building a "50 or '60's vintage F-100, they are most likely a "must" addition. Bottom line is, these products are most welcome additions and well received reference the F-100 build. My full review will show these items painted and installed in the final segment of the build (which may be found here). Visit their website for many other products available. My only hope is that this manufacturer will continue to provide us with top quality additions like shown here. (Just to put a bug in Harold's ear … How about a corrected exhaust nozzle or possibly an F-102 style nozzle for Air Guard Aircraft?) My thanks to Harold Offield for the review samples! Most highly recommended

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