Beautifully moulded in light grey resin, Aries has captured in 1/48 scale all of the fine detail of the Messerschmitt Bf 109K-4 Cockpit in their set no 4248.

There have been many 1/48 scale cockpits for the Bf 109K-4 but this is by far the most detailed. Indeed, this set should not be confused with the earlier Aires release for the Hasegawa Kurfurst – it is an all-new design.

There are 12 resin parts that go together to complete the set that has been specifically designed for the 1/48 scale Hasegawa kit. Also included is a metal fret containing 22 etched metal parts and a photographic film with the instrument panel backing.

Assembly will be straightforward with some minor modification required of the kit plastic to allow the rear upper bulkhead to fit. Even a modeller with little modelling skill could use this detail set.

The detail is incredible for 1/48 scale, especially important as the kit cockpit falls very short on detail. Aires’ set is therefore a welcome improvement.

Comparing the cockpit with reference photographs in some of the books that I have on the Bf109K-4 there appears to be little detail missing. All of the intricate switches, console panels and instrument panels have been faithfully reproduced and would look great highlighted with a wash to capture the detail.

The main instrument panel is etched metal and requires the film reproduction to be carefully aligned and glued to the rear. Once fixed the back of the film can be painted white to make the instrument dials come to life.

The gunsight is cast in resin will take some careful work fit the 2 glass panes represented by photographic film.

The etched metal fret contains all of the seat harness and mounting assembly.

There are 9 parts that go into improving the detail on the canopy frame.

The elevator trim wheels and chains are supplied as etched metal as are the rudder pedals. Although there is some bending of the etched parts and minor modification of the kit parts required an intermediate modeller should be able to install this set.

Overall, this is a vast improvement on the simplified kit detail.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Aires for the review sample

Text and Images Copyright © 2006 by Mick Evans
Page Created 23 January, 2006
Last updated 23 January, 2006

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