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32 F/A-18C Super Detailed Cockpit (late configuration)product # CE
C321151 resin seat for $31.99 from Meteor Productions
Review by Steve
Bamford on Sept 15
2003
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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 late (Lot 19) configuration of the F/A-18C and contains 36 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. Dials and switches etc are stunningly cast....the work to get detail like this is simply impressive.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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Side wall detail is quite nice and accurate and the canopy rail part is loaded with detail.
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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. The 1/32 Academy F/A-18C is a wonderful kit, but it's 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
Photos and text © 2003 by Steve Bamford
