Avionix / VMD Studios

1/32 F-100D Cockpit Set For the Trumpeter kit

Stock Number: AV32045

Reviewed By  Ed Kinney, IPMS# 2989

MSRP: $40.00 Website www.vmdstudios.com. The latest release from these fine folks (formerly Black Box) is designed to enhance the new Trumpeter kit and in this writer's opinion, it's absolutely magnificent! Cast in cream colored resin, not a warp, pinhole or flaw anywhere. Rather than list all the parts separately, I have included a scan of the instruction sheet which names them all. In the interest of clarity, I sprayed all these parts with an interior grey primer, and applied a light black wash to pop out the details, as images show. Believe me; you can't appreciate the fine attention to detail until you see it painted. The Trumpeter kit interior is Spartan at best, and most definitely benefits from the addition of this beautiful set. In test fitting the components, there appear to be no issues here. Two things should be noted: First, if you choose to add this to your F-100, you'll notice that the cockpit tub (see instructions) extends into the ammo bays on both sides. The builder must make the decision here as to how to assemble the kit: (a), with ammo doors closed; (b) cutting the Avionix cockpit tub to accommodate the bay, or (c) use the kit tub with the Avionix parts to improve the appearance. Second, the seat is mastered with the parapac included, and I can tell you that it is by all standards one of the most real appearing subjects I've seen. I have noticed some controversy here by another reviewer that the parapacs were removed after each flight, but I have seen reference photos both ways and I'll state here that I'd much rather have the extra detail to display, especially when it's as well done as this. I was curious enough about this to put a call in to Jef for purposes of asking him why he chose the seat in this manner. According to him, he spoke with several F-100 drivers who stated that in all "Alert" aircraft, the pacs were attached. In any case, it certainly has more "eyeball appeal". Moving on to the instrument panel - it depicts a later version of the F-100 than supplied by Trumpeter, so select the build subject of your choice. A couple of the Trumpeter kit parts are used in conjunction with this set (rudder pedals and a portion of the HUD). While I was examining the sidewall detail found here, I saw something so incredible I could hardly believe my eyes. There is a small adjustable cockpit illumination light that has the coiled wire cast so that it doesn't touch anything except the connections at both ends. Absolutely exquisite! (Now, if I can only get past breaking it during final assembly!) Just a side note here … I am currently building two of these birds. The first will be opened up with engine, gun and ammo bays, tail assembly and dolly all separated, painted in camouflage. In truth, I can't bring myself to take a razor saw to Jef's cockpit tub, so for the initial build; I'll use the Avionix seat and other selected parts. The second F-100 build will be closed up, a high polished Natural Metal Finished machine (Alclad II, of course) in which the complete replacement will be utilized. In conclusion, this set takes a giant step in complimenting the Trumpeter F-100D kit and is well worth having. Many thanks to Jef and Maggie for the advance review sample. Most highly recommended!

I thought some background on Jef and Maggie might be appropriate and would like to tell you a bit about them. I'm reasonably certain that any of you that have attended both local, regional and National contests at some point have found themselves in the vendor areas at these shows (go figure!) only to find Jef and Maggie at the Avionix (formerly Black Box) booth. On display are numerous cockpit and conversion sets, most of which are displayed installed in the corresponding kit parts. For those of you who may not know Jef and Maggie, they are, in addition to being truly down to earth and the salt thereof, both of Belgium extraction, having immigrated to the United States in 1995. Jef was responsible for mastering the lion's share of the aircraft products marketed by Verlinden for more than 10 years. Upon arriving in the United States, he joined Kendall Model Co. doing their masters here and subsequently started VMD studios. Jef's work truly gives an all new meaning to the term "Master Modeler". They reside in Rowelsburg, West Virginia, and are both very quick to tell anyone how pleased they are to call the United States home. So much so, in fact, that they have built a museum there to pay tribute to the U.S. WW II service personnel who helped in liberating Belgium from the Nazi regime so many years ago. It's called "The Greatest Generation Exhibit and Gallery" and contains numerous warfare artifacts, weapons, life size figures in a diorama format, (sculpted by Jef, of course), photos, and a "wall of honor". One room is totally dedicated to the women who served in WWII. They are always looking to add to this growing display, so to any of you readers of this…if you possess any items related and would rather have them displayed than stashed in a box, please contact them through their website www.vmdstudios.com . More information on this exhibit is available at www.thegreatestgenerationsociety.com .

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