Aires

1/48 F105D Ejection Seat For all 1/48 kits

Stock Number: 4392

Reviewed By  Michael Novosad, IPMS# 36721

MSRP: $7.45 Website: www.aires.cz It seems logical that an objective review would start with the "real thing". I found a picture of an F-105D ejection seat in the Squadron/Signal publication Fighting Colors-Century Series in Color. I also found several images on the Google Images website of a real seat. Both sources compliment each other with colors and features and are a good reference for painting and detailing either seat option. Using the information from both sources a good comparison of the kit parts and aftermarket parts could be done. The Kit Parts The kit seat is comprised of seven parts. The back and the seat cushions are molded with the belts in place. The belts are rather soft in detail and most modelers will likely remove the moldings and replace them with more realistic photo-etch belts. Parts F16 and F17 make up the seat sides and frame and really do not resemble the reference images. The armrests are molded in a horizontal attitude, even though the references show them to be in a depressed position. No arming handles are provided. The seat headrest is a bit of a soft molding and, again, does not resemble the real thing. The rear of the headrest is an open cavity. There may be another part to cover this cavity, but none were shown on the instructions. Based on my references, part F45 (the seat back cushion) should not be used. The Aftermarket Parts The Aires parts are packaged in a clear plastic bag with a folded and stapled heavy cardstock backing. Inside the package we find the seat with a block. Some care is required when sawing off the casting block. A second casting block is included that have the smaller resin parts (headrest, seat back top frame, and the ejection activation handles. The handles are extremely delicate and may be broken unless extreme care is used when removing the parts from the casting block. There is minor flash on the smaller parts but, by leaving the parts on the block during cleanup, the task should be accomplished without too much worry.

Unlike the kit seat, there is no seat back cushion, and the metal seat back displays rows of tiny rivets that can be seen in the images of the real seat. This resin parts more accurately represent the real seat, more so than the kit parts. A small fret of photo etched parts is also included. Seat belts and armrest sides are provided on this fret. The kit-furnished seat, while appearing to resemble an ejection seat, seems a bit "clunky". It’s close, but no cigar. Some work and the addition of PE belts could make this assembly presentable. The Aires resin parts really do a nice job of replicating the real ejection seat. Granted, once the seat is placed in the cockpit tub, some of the detail would be hidden from view; but what can be seen would be a worthwhile addition to the magnificent Hobby Boss F-105D Thunderchief. I would not hesitate for a moment to add this seat to my model. Highly recommended for sure. Thanks to the master craftsmen at Aires for this fine product.