Heinkel He 162 Detail Set

Airwaves, 1/32 scale

Revell's new 1/32 scale Heinkel He 162 is a terrific kit, but the distinctive ejection seat looks a little simple as supplied.

Airwaves' latest accessory release addresses this issue with a complete replacement seat, rear bulkhead, photo-etched harness and three new wheels.

The resin parts are presented in light cream coloured resin. Detail is very good, and parts breakdown could not be simpler - the seat and the bulkhead are supplied as one piece each. The resin seat has been based on photos of an unrestored He 162 ejection seat at Willow Grove in the USA. The 1/32 scale version matches the photos very well, including plenty of detail cast onto the side and the rear of the seat.

There is a little light flash to clean up here and there, but a sharp scalpel will make short work of this feather-like residue. Some care will be needed when removing the casting strips under the seat, especially to avoid damaging the delicate ejection seat stirrups and side handles (I broke one of the handles off during clean up, but it was easily repaired with super glue).

The resin bulkhead, with its rails, braces and lightening holes, is also a noticeable improvement over the kit part.

Once the casting strips are removed, the seat actually slides on the rails, so you can paint the parts separately and install the seat just before fitting the canopy if you wish.

The colour photo-etched harness is supplied by Eduard, and it is excellent. The printed stitching detail is particularly effective in this large scale. Airwaves provides two resin buckles as alternatives to the photo-etched parts.

The wheels are subtly bulged and flattened, and will be a direct replacement for the kit parts.

Instructions are delivered by way of colour photos, diagrams and notes on a double sided A4 sheet. The instructions seem to suggest that the harness straps are anchored in six positions, but I believe that it was four, with conventional shoulder and lap belts. The eight colour reference photos of the seat are quite helpful.

Airwaves' 1/32 scale Heinkel He 162 Detail Set is a simple but effective enhancement for Revell's excellent new Volksjager.

Recommended.

Thanks to Hannants for the review sample

Airwaves products are available online from Hannants' website

Text and Images Copyright © 2005 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 15 February, 2005
Last updated 16 February, 2005

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