Platz

1/72 JMSDF MH-53E Color Photoetch Detail Set For the Italeri MH-53E

Stock Number: M72-20

Reviewed By  Mark A Dice, IPMS #31326

MSRP: $15.99 Website: www.platz-hobby.com If you are interested in dressing up the cockpit of your 72nd scale Italeri MH-53E, then Platz’s Color Photoetch set might be for you. It’s made by Eduard, comes with the easy to understand Eduard type instructions (although they are not written in English) and shares many common parts with Eduard’s MH-53E Interior set but at a cheaper price. This detail set will work fine if you are building a US Navy MH-53E version too. The 2 X 3" (approx) fret has parts to improve the cockpit seats with seat belts and armor side wings. It replaces the instrument panel and rudder pedals. It adds additional instrument panels to the cockpit overhead and sidewalls with several levers and handles where needed. It also adds several pieces of detail to the forward cabin sidewalls near the crew entrance, such as circuit breaker panels and radio mounts, as well as a few control and placard details for the remaining cabin near the windows and ramp area. The painted parts look good and greatly improve the appearance of the scarce or nonexistent detail of the kit supplied parts. Most of the parts require little or no bending. If you have worked with Eduard products before, then you’ll have no problem with this set. If you’re not very photoetch experienced then this is a great starter set that will improve your helicopter’s appearance (without overwhelming you with large numbers of parts) at a lower price. I recommend this set, and wish to give my thanks to Platz and IPMS/USA for the review sample.