Here's an interesting new release from Master Details, this
is billed as a 'Cockpit Finishing Set' for the Hasegawa 1/32
P-47D (bubbletop) Thunderbolt. According to the instructions,
this set can be applied directly to the kit, but it is actually
tailored to 'finish' the details missing in the Avionix cockpit.
While the Avionix set has an armored headrest, it doesn't
have the sloped forward angle of the real installation, nor
does the set address the details aft of the headrest but still
visible under that huge canopy. Master Details makes this easy
by casting the rear bulkhead, armored headrest, and rear canopy
slide frame all in one piece.
Where the Avionix seat has the usual jumble of seatbelt and
shoulder harness, this set provides two other alternatives:
Use the beautifully cast pilot's figure that is molded
into the seat and drops right into place
Use the beautifully cast seat sans pilot and add your own
(or Eduard color photo-etch) seatbelt and harness.
As a first in this series, this set provides a vacuformed
canopy that is crystal clear, and provides the side frames
of the canopy interior in resin. As you'll see in the photo,
the canopy frame is virtually in scale, meaning that you can
hardly see it. Masking and painting the canopy will be a challenge,
and only one canopy is included, which could spell disaster
if you're wanting to separate the windscreen and canopy and
won't have a spare should you mis-cut on the near invisible
line.
If you've invested in the Hasegawa Thunderbolt and its corresponding
Avionix cockpit set, here is a handy supplement to correct
and augment the Avionix suite, plus man the aircraft with a
nice seated figure. The figure's head is interchangable with
the heads provided in the previously released WW2 fighter pilot
figure to provide more options.
