4232 is the final instalment in the trilogy of detail/conversion sets for the 1/48 scale Grand Phoenix Mc Donnell F3H-2 Demon from Aires Hobby Models.

And what a simple conversion it is.

The set comprises a single piece of resin, a 1/48 scale version of the short "beaver tail" worn by the latter build examples of the F3H.

The casting is to the usual high standard that Aires Hobby Models have achieved and there are absolutely no flaws in my sample. Detail is simple and comprises of the position light and its fairing. What is not immediately evident when you examine the part is that the there is a lightly scribed line that separates the light cover from the fairing. This will make the detail painting of the light cover a whole lot easier.

There is a very small casting plug at the end of the part. Don’t cut this off as you can use it to key the part to the end of the fuselage. All you will need to do to prepare the part is some judicious filing to thin the plug down to fit it inside the fuselage.

The set is packaged in a clear plastic bag that is stapled to a header card. There are no instructions included apart from the words "Do not use plastic parts 43 and 44. Use the resin tail." on a small sheet inside the plastic bag. Also included on the sheet is advice that the beaver tail was used on F3H-2 Bureau number 143403 onwards.

A simple conversion if there ever was one but it means that you can produce a late build Demon with ease. This is good news as I understand that AeroMaster/Eaglestrike has also announced that they will be producing at least four decal sheets for the Grand Phoenix kit and I bet there will be a couple of late build examples amongst them.

Recommended.

Thanks to Aires for the review sample

Footnote

I have included the kit parts in the photographs of the tail to give you an idea of how difference in size between them.
 

Text and Images Copyright © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 19 December, 2004
Last updated 19 December, 2004

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