Replacement 1/48 Aircraft Seats
for Spitfire I-XVIII and Messerchmitt Bf 109
Ultracast
| Catalogue No.: | 48020 and 48023 |
| Scale: | 1/48 |
| Media: | Resin |
| Review Type: | In-Bag |
| Rating: | Recommended |
S u m m a r y |
| Contents: |
Item 48020 (Messerchmitt Bf 109 Seats) - 2 parts in
cream coloured resin Item 4802 (Spitfire Mk I to Mk XIV Seats) - 2 parts in cream coloured resin |
| Price: | US$ |
| Advantages: | High quality casting, authentic, simple |
| Disadvantages: | |
| Recommendation: | Recommended to all who hate folding brass seats or harnesses; or those wanting a simple, authentic replacement seat |
F i r s t L o o k |
In the recent frenzied release of
1/48 aircraft accessories we have seen many new innovations and many old ideas improved.
Look at the flood of photo-etched brass sets that have been released over the last few
years. However, brass in particular is often used inappropriately to represent
three-dimensional objects. A box made of folded brass usually looks like - folded brass!
And have you ever tried to fold a brass replacement aircraft seat?
There have been a number of resin replacement Ejection Seats for modern aircraft available for some time, but World War Two aicraft seats have been ignored. Until now.
Ultracast of Canada have released a range of resin WWII aircraft seats in 1/48 scale. They include 2 seats per set, and the seats have harnesses moulded on. Personally I prefer this method of depicting harnesses over brass seat belts. It is difficult to get brass to sit in a position which looks like draped canvas or leather.
Each seat is cast in a single piece on to a block via three thin connectors. A hobby knife will be sufficient to remove and clean up the join. Casting is "state of the art". The seats are free of imperfections and the texture is smooth.
I bought two sets. The Spitfire seats are appropriate for Mk I to Mk XVIII. The seat back depicts the cushion in place. The Sutton Harness is very well done, with the characteristic large holes present in the harness straps. I also liked the fact that the shoulder harnesses correctly continue behind the seat.
The Bf 109 set is suitable for all varieties from the "F" onward. The seat is depicted with the bucket and the seat back. Many Bf 109s flew with the seat bucket only, so check your references for this detail (if it is available for your project!). Once again, harness detail is very convincing, and includes buckles and lap pads.
A variety of seats for other subjects are available including Beaufighter, Mustang and Thunderbolt.
A seat is often the only detail that can be clearly seen through a cockpit opening. Ultracast's new replacement seats will certainly add an extra air of authenticity to this central feature.
You may view these and other products including photos at Ultracast's Web Site.
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