F/A-18E/F
Electronic Bays
 

Aires, 1/48 scale

Beautifully moulded in light grey resin, Aires has captured all of the fine detail of the F/A-18E/F electronics bays in a quick fit panel.

The detail provided for the electronic bays has been faithfully reproduced and is designed as a straight drop into the Hasegawa kit after some minor panel surgery to remove the two lower fuselage electronics bays. The detail on the avionics boxes and electrical cabling has been faithfully reproduced.

Preparation will start by removing all the moulded on electronics bay panels and carefully thin down the fuselage walls. Two etched frames are provided to install before fitting the resin bays. These need to be carefully aligned and glued in place. After carefully painting the detail a wash with a dark watercolour will give a great three-dimensional effect. The panel doors are supplied in etched metal and the door piano hinges look excellent. The doors need to be rolled to make them align with the curved surface of the fuselage side. Running the metal handle of an Exacto knife over the inside surface while pressing down hard will do the trick. The latch assemblies are supplied in resin and these are glued to the inside of the doors.

The end result should be excellent and enhance the kit nicely. Advanced modelling skills will be required to assemble this detail set.

Highly Recommended for Advanced modellers.