This is one of the many 1/32 F-18
resin goodies from Cutting
Edge Modelworks to spruce up the cockpit on the Academy F/A-18C. This
particular cockpit set is designed for the early (Lot 10) configuration of the F/A-18C and
contains 39 items. The vast bulk of the items are made of resin, but there
are also a variety of items from display terminal paint masks to wire mesh to
cover the "hell hole" behind the seat. There are also 2 clear
parts for the instrument panels. You'll use clear paints and the Black
magic painting masks to get the video display terminals looking ultra realistic.
Anyhow.....on to the parts.
First up in any
cockpit is the tub itself. As you know, the Academy F/A-18C has a 2 seat
cockpit tub. This will permit the release of possibly B and/or D
models in the future. The side console detail is highly defined on this Cutting
Edge Modelworks resin
cockpit set with great looking raised switches instead of the muted switches in
the Academy kit. Because this is the early configuration set....the side
consoles have much fewer switches than the leter configuration cockpit set from Cutting
Edge Modelworks. Dials and switches etc are stunningly cast....the work to get detail
like this is simply impressive....almost freaky how they can get detail this good. Some of the switches have round bases that taper up to tiny
rectangular ends....just like the real plane. There are analog gauges in
at the front of the right 'side-console' and these contain tiny instrument
needles. Detail isn't too shallow or too pronounced......it's simply
perfect.
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The
2 seat Academy Tub is designed so for the C (and A models) you cover up
the rear cockpit tub with a part that also fully covers over the
"hell hole" behind the pilot's seat. |
On this
Cutting
Edge Modelworks cockpit
tub the hell hole has a thin resin membrane that you cut to expose the
"Hell Hole". This thin membrane will take only a few seconds to remove
with an X-Acto knife. The hell hole is a lovely piece of resin
work.....great highly defined detail on all 4 sides....how they can cast
this in one piece is beyond my understanding. There is also a metal
screen you can use to cover the "hell hole". On the real
jet this "screen" is a cloth netting material that |
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is usually
ripped and quite messed up. Making up your own tattered mesh would
probably be more accurate that using the screen included in this cockpit
set. But at least the screen is included to give you more
options. A highly skilled person might be able to work this screen
to resemble the tattered "hell Hole" mesh covering. The
instructions suggest you only attach the screen on one side and
drape it into the hell hole box......this idea sounds like it might
work and look pretty good, but you'll have to experiment with it. |
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Every cockpit needs a seat.
This set includes a seat that is sure to look fantastic when painted. The
Academy kit seats are simply lacking in all important detail. This resin
seat is a thing of beauty.
The instrument panel is a real
switch and improvement from the usual resin instrument panel. It's made
from some sort of crystal clear resin.
Also included are Black Magic
painting masks for each video display and other parts of the instrument
panel. Also included is an acetate piece with various gauges.
Side wall detail is quite nice
and accurate and the canopy rail part is loaded with detail. Tiny lipstick
cameras are included for the canopy rails as well as tiny resin locks for the
underside of the canopy rails.
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There are
2 pages of detailed instructions that cover all aspects of installing
the various parts. The instructions cover all the tiny steps
involved in installing this resin set. You are required to remove
the sidewall detail from the kit fuselage parts, but this is no problem
if you own a Dremel Mini-Mite or similar tool. The 1/32
Academy F/A-18C is a wonderful kit, but the Academy cockpit leaves much to be
desired to say the least. A highly detailed
resin cockpit can make all the difference in improving the look of the finished
model....especially in 1/32 scale.
This particular set from Cutting
Edge Modelworks is full of crisp realistic detail. I highly
recommend this cockpit set for anyone building a 1/32 Academy F/A-18C.
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I would like to
thank Cutting Edge
Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.
Steve
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