The race for space as well as the
X-Plane was a very exciting and proud part of American history. Cutting
Edge Modelworks has recognized a yearning by modelers to create these famous
aircraft and rockets and they have released a variety of resin items and
decals.
This is one of the many 1/144
items from Cutting
Edge Modelworks in their Lift
Off Series
dealing with the X-Planes and their
B-52 Motherships. This particular set is fairly straight forward and deals
with a new forward fuselage section, new vertical stab, tail observation area,
new resin engines and one wing section with a cutout for the X-Plane. The
pylon for the X-Plane is not included, because different flights used different
pylons, but you can buy these pylons and B-52 decals separately from Cutting
Edge Modelworks. Also
included is a new canopy and "Black Magic Masks" for the wheels and
canopy.....which is a blessing.
Click
on images below to see larger images |
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Cutting
Edge Modelworks has
a way of casting clear resin parts. In this set these clear resin
parts are used for
the cockpit canopy and the tail tail observers position. |
Clear parts
are a trick to photo, so I must explain one critical thing. The
"Glass" parts are clear and the part of the clear parts that are
usually covered in paint have a frosted look to them. But the
critical windows are nice and clear. |
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The canopy
and wheel masks from Black Magic are a very nice addition to this
set. If you've ever used pre-cut masks....you know the joy
that these are to use.
Also included in the
set are 4 observation fairings for various spots on the
fuselage. There is also a clear observation blister for the
side of the fuselage. This item is cast in clear resin and is
very clear.
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The B-52 is famous for it's many
engines......8 engines in all. This set includes 8 new resin engines (in 4
pairs of 2) and have very nicely done engine intakes and exhausts.
Click on
images below to see larger images |
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The
vertical stab on the kit must be cut off and chucked in the garbage
and replaced by the resin vertical stab included in this resin
conversion set. The resin vertical stab has very well done
recessed panel lines. The casting block has a thin connection
point, so this part will separate fairly quickly and easily.
The trailing edge on the vertical stab tapers well. |
Click on
image below to see larger image |
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To the
right is a photo of the wing section with the cutout to accomodate the
X-Plane. Casting is clean and recessed panel lines are cleanly
done. To install this part, you simply take your X-Acto knife and
score the kit's wing and remove the section of wing in question and glue
in the resin part.
There are 3 pages of detailed instructions that cover all aspects of installing
the various parts.
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Click
on image below to see larger image |
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One page of
instructions deals with the resin parts and the other 2 pages deal with
the correct use of the Black Magic canopy an wheel masks. The instructions cover all the tiny steps
involved in installing this resin set.
This set comes safely
packed in a sturdy custom made cardboard box to ensure it's safe
transport. |
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It's refreshing to see
Cutting
Edge Modelworks taking on and producing the X-Plane and Early Space related
items. I would like to
thank Cutting Edge
Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.
Steve
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