4229 from Aires Hobby Models Master Series is the second of a promised three resin detail sets for the 1/48 scale Grand Phoenix Mc Donnell F3H-2 Demon. 

This set enables you to open the electronic bay in the nose of the kit.  It provides the two outer doors as well as the interior to the bay.  The bay itself is provided in left and right hand sides with the front and rear bulkheads cast in place.  The parts are themselves are cast in the light buff coloured resin we have become familiar with from Aires. 

The casting is very well done and all details are crisp and sharp.  The inner faces of the doors have all the ribs cast in place whilst the outer faces exhibit the same detail of the kit. The bay itself is very 'busy' and the details compares well the illustrations in the Ginter book (Naval Fighters Number Twelve). 

My sample was perfect, there are no miscasts, flash or pinholes in any of the parts in my sample. 

A small instruction sheet is included.  It shows black and white illustrations to assist you in the assembly process.  The sheet also carries a word of advice – "Warning:  Thinning of the plastic parts and dry-fitting of the assembly needed" Unnecessary advice for those who have used Aires resin sets before but good advice to those who have not.  Unfortunately, Aires has not included any painting instructions on the sheet or the packaging but I dare say that you will be able to find some colour photos somewhere on the net or through a plea on the Discussion Group.   

As with all of the newer Aires products, the packaging is excellent!  The parts sit in a vacformed tray which in turn sits on top of the cardboard header.  A vacformed clear plastic cover is then slid over both the tray and the header and it both traps and displays the parts.  Staples are then punched through the header card and the plastic cover to fasten them together.   This manner of packaging is a real boon as, in these days of mail order hobby shops; your seat has a far better chance of arriving at your mail box intact. 

A quality product from Aires. 

Recommended.

Footnote 

I understand that this set is just one of a series of updates and enhancements coming from Aires for the Grand Phoenix kit.  A replacement Martin Baker ejection seat as well as a short beaver tail is also on the way.  AeroMaster/Eaglestrike has also announced that they will be producing at least four decal sheets.

Thanks to Aires for the review sample

Text and Images Copyright © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 17 November, 2004
Last updated 17 November, 2004

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