Reviewed by Steven Eisenman

This might be a first - after market resin accessories for a Classic Airframes kit!

Alpha Flight has just released two different sets of 1/48 resin exhausts and the torpedo and mounting for the Classic Airframes S. 79. These resin sets need very little explanation.

The first set is the mid-production style exhausts. These are three small and cleanly molded exhausts.

The second set is the late style used on the S.79 Bis. Often referred to as "Wellington Type", they are also nicely molded in light cream resin. The fins on the exhaust are not overdone and are quite delicate.

The final set is the torpedo and mounting hardware. This set is a combination of etched brass and cream colored resin. The propellers and generator propeller are done in etched metal, but the generator prop is also provided as a resin piece. The hoist pulleys are nicely molded in their fairing. The only problem I believe one may encounter is removing the torpedo hoist pulleys and the arm that runs behind them. I am not even going to remove more than just the pulley housing and then use metal wire or stretched spru for the trailing piece. The instructions are quite clear on putting this little torpedo together.

It should be noted that all versions of the S. 79 carried torpedoes; it was the Bis model that was specifically intended to be a torpedo carrier. While there were mountings to carry two torpedoes, each mounting being .68 m from the center line, in practice the S. 79 operated with only one torpedo under the left side. If you are interested in the S. 79 as a torpedo carrier, then I would recommend getting the Ali D'Italia monograph on this aircraft - specifically the second part.

The prices for the sets are:

• Mid-style exhausts: USD $3.95

• Late-style "Wellington" exhausts: USD $4.95

• Torpedo USD $9.00

For all those who are waiting for Classic Airframes to issue the torpedo version, you need wait no longer. Also, the mid- and Bis. versions can be made....that adds up to three S. 79 kits you must get!

Thanks to Ken Lawrence from Pacific Coast Models for the review samples.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images of instructions:

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