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Reviewed by Brett Green

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

Cutting Edge's F-100C conversion is a substantial and impressive set. It is designed for the 1/48 scale Monogram F-100D.

The conversion comprises 15 resin parts packed in a stout cardboard box  and snugly immobilised by foam chips. The set includes totally new wings, separate leading edge slats, fin, alternate rudders, gear doors, speed brake and wing pylon supports. Twelve of the parts are in Cutting Edge's warp-resistant, hard dark grey resin. All parts are perfectly cast - no imperfections whatever. The conversion parts feature fine recessed panel lines and nice structural detail on the inside of the one-piece gear doors, undercarriage bays and canopy floor.

Assembly will be straightforward for the most part. The biggest challenge will be the removal of casting blocks from the wings and the fin. Careful scoring and nibbling will be the safest method.

The wings are large single pieces. They are totally free of any warpage, as are all other parts. The wings are simple, drop-fit replacements for the Monogram kit parts. The separate slats can be positioned in any position between fully closed and fully deployed.

The fin is also a straight replacement. Alternate rudders are supplied separately and can also be positioned to taste.

Care will be required when removing the speed brake area on the Monogram kit lower fuselage.

For maximum effect, the modeller will probably want to sand off the raised panel lines and scribe the detail on the remaining kit parts (only the fuselage in reality) to match the fine engraved lines on the resin parts. This scribing is likely to be the most time consuming part of the whole conversion!

Instructions are up to the high standards of Cutting Edge with a parts breakdown, exploded view construction diagrams, descriptive text and even a few reference photographs.

The biggest obstacle to this conversion is that the donor kit may be hard to find. The F-100D is not currently in Revell-Monogram's catalogue. However, the determined modeller will be able to pick up the F-100D kit online or at club auctions, and the diehard Century Series fans probably have a few unbuilt kits up their collective sleeves.

This set displays many of the characteristics of recent Cutting Edge releases - interesting subject matter, high quality castings, clever engineering and straightforward assembly. It will be a very welcome addition to fans of Century Series US fighters who have a Monogram F-100D stashed away in their cupboards!

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Meteor Productions for the review sample

Cutting Edge Modelworks Resin Conversion Kits are available at Meteor Productions Website

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

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