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WWII Fighter Seats

 

       

 

Cutting Edge

 

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number and Price: CEC48141 - P-40/P-36 Pilot's Seat and Mount    US$5.99
CEC48143 - Fw 190A/D Pilot Seat (x2)    US$7.99
CEC48146 - P-47N Pilot's Seat and Mount    US$5.99
CEC48147 - Beaufighter Pilot and Observer Seat    US$7.99
CEC48148 - Hawker Typhoon Detailed Pilot's Seat    US$7.99
CEC48173 - A6M Detailed Pilot's Seat    US$4.99
Scale: 1/48
Contents and Media: 2 x Pieces in resin (each set)
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Simple, inexpensive and effective way to highlight the cockpit of your model; harnesses cast on; Fw 190 seat includes cushion; Beaufighter, P-47N and Zero seats particularly nice; worthy donor kits available for all seats.
Disadvantages: Chunky casting blocks on seats; harness detail on P-40 seat understated (for my taste)
Recommendation: Recommended

 

Reviewed by Brett Green


HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

 

FirstLook

 

At the risk of sounding repetitive, I think that a resin replacement seat with moulded-on harness is one of the most effective detailing touches for any aircraft model. How much time do we spend detailing instruments and rudder pedals that will eventually be sealed off from the admiring gaze of onlookers? A pilot's seat will remain visible even underneath a closed canopy!

Cutting Edge have now extended their product line to include replacement seats for WWII aircraft. Two of the sets (P-47N and P-40/36) comprise one seat and a mounting frame; while the remaining four sets include two seats in each. The Beaufighter has one Pilot's and one Observer's seat.

All the seats are cast on a stout block of resin. A razor saw will be the most appropriate tool for this job. Some of the seat pans will be quite thin, so take extreme care when removing the block. I have personally had the bitter experience of sawing through the bottom of a seat!

The quality of casting is well up to Cutting Edge's high standards. The harness detail on the P-40/36 seat is a little too subtle for my liking, but is more substantial on the other seats.

The Fw 190 seats include a moulded seat cushion as well as the harness. This contributes to an illusion that the seat back is too short, but it actually measures up fine. These Fw 190 seats will be equally appropriate for the Ta 152C/H or Ta 154.

The A6M seats are notable for their accurately perforated backrest and single shoulder harness.

The Beaufighter Pilot's seat has a backrest and Sutton Harness, with a full seat for the lucky Observer (I've seen them equipped with a seat pan only as well) and a different style lap harness.

In my opinion the Typhoon seats are the best of the bunch, with quilted backrest and a beautifully rendered Sutton Harness.

These are an inexpensive, handy and very noticeable accessory for your 1/48 scale WWII fighters.

Recommended.

 

Thanks to Meteor Productions for the review sample

Cutting Edge Modelworks Resin accessories are available at Meteor Productions Website

Review and Image Copyright © 2000 by Brett Green
Page Created 11 February, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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