Dream Model Brassin 1/48 Su-33 Detail Set First Look
By Michael Benolkin
Date of Review | January 2016 | Manufacturer | Dream Model |
---|---|---|---|
Subject | Su-33 Detail Set | Scale | 1/48 |
Kit Number | 48022 | Media | Photo-Etch |
Pros | Nice update for the Kinetic kit | Cons | Nothing noted |
Skill Level | Intermediate | MSRP (USD) | $6.99 (at Lucky Model) |
First Look
Dream Model is a hobby company based in China that has produced a few 1/72 scale kits but has also produced a wide variety of aftermarket decals and detail sets. This is the first set I've seen from this company and of course I had to look closely. Here is another company producing color-printed photo-etched parts that look outstanding and are quite reasonably priced.
In this release, Dream Model tackles Kinetic Model's latest masterpiece, the 1/48 Su-33 Sea Flanker (Flanker D) kit. Clearly these folks did their homework as the colors are spot on (Sukhoi cockpit blue-gray, not MiG cockpit Turquoise), and beautiful details for the cockpit and ejection seat. This set provides the instrument panel, side consoles, ejection seat details, pilot restraints, HUD frame, and other visual enhancements in the cockpit.
What makes this company's approach different than the other color photo-etch makers - Eduard - is that they don't use layered photo-etch to built up the instrument panel. Dream Model uses more of an 'old-school' approach printing the instrument faces on clear acetate and then providing white acetate as a backdrop for the instrument faces. You could skip the white acetate and simply paint the rear surface of the instruments gloss white. Dream Model has also mastered some nice three-dimensional relief on their color-printed parts as well.
If you want to provide some nice visual details for your Sea Flanker kit, grab one of these sets. With the money you save compared to the alternative, you can also pick up some color-printed photo-etch for your other projects as well. Lucky Model offers this set at $6.99.
My sincere thanks to Lucky Model for this review sample!