Aires

1/48 F-22A Raptor Ejection Seat For the any 1/48 F-22 kit

Stock Number: 4417

Reviewed By  Bill Seaman, IPMS# 41006

MSRP: $7.95 Website: www.aires.cz The F-22 Raptor is capable of super-cruise flight and it's projected that it will spend more time flight time at higher speeds. Because of this, the USAF's standard ejection seat, the ACES II, has been modified to limit injuries at higher ejection dynamic pressure. It now features : A faster deploying drogue parachute which is housed in the enclosure behind the headrest. Arm restraints - a pair of nets rolled into nylon enclosures on either side of the seat backrest area. They mechanically deployed as the seat moves up the rails. A larger oxygen bottle for longer lasting emergency oxygen supply. A seat mounted regulator for the new combat support system which includes an anti-G vest. Both disconnects for the canopy jettison system have been relocated to the right side of the seat. Spring-loaded pitot tubes that mechanically deploy as the seat moves up the rails. OK, enough of technical stuff, let's move on the kit. And believe me this is a kit, not a shake n' bake drop in piece of resin. It's packaged in a hanging card plastic bag and consists of two separate resin castings (one for seat itself and one for the launch rails), a very small (about the size of your thumbnail) photo-etch fret of belts and handles. The castings are a dark grey resin, totally bubble free, and the detail is just insanely good. At first glance it looks like just another ACES II seat but once you get it out of the packaging, it is obvious, Aries has done their homework. Every one of the above modifications is depicted. From the references I was able to find on-line, everything is exactly where it should be. My thanks to Aires for the review sample. This should dress up the Academy kit and the forth coming Hasegawa kit nicely.