Pavla

1/48 Martin Baker Mk. 7 Ejection Seat For the F-4 Phantom

Stock Number: S48009

Reviewed By  Dave Koukol, IPMS# 46287

MSRP: $3.00 Website: www.pavlamodels.cz As any quarter scale F-4 aficionado has come to lament, although there are scads of beautiful F-4 kits on the market in this scale, the kit Martin Baker Mk. 7 ejection seats often lack the detail commensurate with that of the rest of the kit. Pavla steps up to the plate with it's Mk. 7, packaged as a single seat. This was my first disappointment, since the two-seat F-4 was the only operational user of the Mk. 7, especially since Pavla packages some other seats in sets of 2.

Upon closer inspection of the seat, basic proportions and detail level and location appear to be accurate, and provide notably increased detail above that of the standard Hasegawa seats. Unfortunately, the detail is not as crisp as one would hope and falls short compared to other resin Mk. 7's on the market. Softness in the detail manifests itself in lack of sharp distinction between harnesses and seat cushions, as just one example, and thus requires a bit more attention and skill when painting and weathering the seat. Face curtain handles (2 yellow and black-striped rings above the pilot's noggin) are not included, either, and must be fabricated from wire or stretched sprue. Although the seat is a step up from those found in most 1/48 F-4 kits, I will leave up to you to have a look at the photos and make the call for yourself. Thanks to Pavla for the sample to review.