G4M Betty 
Flying Control Surfaces 

Cutting Edge Modelworks 

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

Cutting Edge Modelworks set CEC273 provides the modeller with resin replacement flying surfaces for the Tamiya 1/48 scale rendition of Mitsubishi's G4M Rikko, or as it was more commonly known by the Allied forces, the Betty.

The set consists of a rudder, two elevators and two ailerons. The parts are cast in the familiar, easy to work with mid-grey resin that we are used to from Cutting Edge.

As with all of the replacement control surface sets that I have seen from Cutting Edge, the Rikko set is straight and true. There are no pinholes evident and the trailing edges maintain the same even thickness (or should that read thinness!) on the trailing edges of all parts. The leading edges are also uniform in casting and incorporate the required airfoil shape. The impression of the fabric covering is well done, as is the representation of the ribbing that forms these parts.

Preparing the parts for use is easy. Just run the back edge of a hobby knife between the part and the casting block and snap the part free. A quick rub with some fine grade wet and dry sandpaper, (used wet to keep the dust down) followed by a wash in warm soapy water and the parts are ready for painting.

Now for the bad news! Try as I might, I was unable to find a photo of a complete parked Betty with its control surfaces drooped or its rudder turned off. I'd take a punt and suggest that the control surfaces were self-centering. The only ones that I did find were of Bettys that had suffered damage from the attention of ground attack aircraft or were photographed whilst being run up prior to flight.

The last point aside though, the Cutting Edge CEC48273 is a simple, well-produced set and is recommended.

The 60th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin in northern Australia by 27 Rikkos of the Kanoya Ku is due on 19 February 2002. What better excuse to build the Tamiya kit and use the Cutting Edge CEC48273 set?

Recommended.

Thanks to Meteor Productions for the review samples

Cutting Edge Modelworks products are available from Meteor Productions Website

Review Copyright © 2001 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 12 July, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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