Barracuda Mk.II/III
1/48 scale Multimedia Detail Set

Griffon

Reviewed by Brett Green

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Griffon Model Accessories is a Czech company and a recent arrival to the busy resin accessory marketplace. Amongst their early releases is a comprehensive exterior and undercarriage detailing set for Special Hobby's 1/48 scale Fairey Barracuda.

Griffon's 1/48 scale Barracuda detail set comprises 29 parts in pale cream coloured resin, four sheets of photo-etched parts and a small white plastic sphere. The contents of the kit cover the undercarriage bay and gear, the Vickers twin "K" guns, underwing bomb racks, a US 1,600 lb Armour Piercing bomb and a number of other exterior details.

The resin parts are beautifully cast and very well detailed. Casting blocks are sensibly planned to avoid too much complex cutting. In fact, some of the blocks on the larger parts will probably not interfere with the kit if they are left in place (don't take my word for it alone though - test fit before committing to paint and/or glue first!)

The undercarriage was probably the most disappointing aspect of the Special Hobby kit, but Griffon's detail set goes the full distance to address this shortcoming. Perhaps the most impressive parts in Griffon's whole set are the one-piece main wheel wells. These are cleverly cast with bulkheads and structural details in place. Many of the remaining resin and photo-etched parts are employed for the complex main undercarriage gear and doors.

The large rear canopy deck casting is also impressively detailed.

The twin Vickers "K" guns are exquisite, being made up from resin and photo-etched pieces. A keen eye and a steady hand will be required for folding some of the small photo-etched details on these guns. Parts are also supplied to permit the rear canopy to be depicted in the open position - i.e. tipped up and slid back.

The cockpit is otherwise not dealt with by this set. Indeed, the Special Hobby kit covers the cockpit very well with the possible exception of the one-piece plastic instrument panel.

Another resin part replaces the radiator ramp, including radiator face details. The final resin part is the body of the big US 1,600 lb Armour Piercing bomb. This is further enhanced with a further 20 or so photo-etched parts.

Most of the remaining photo-etched parts are destined for the underwing bomb racks and the replacement landing light.

Instructions are supplied on 6 x A5 pages, and are by way of exploded view diagrams. I confess that I had a little difficulty figuring out exactly what the sequence of construction was in some places - there is a lot going on here! Some extra time familiarising yourself with the parts and test fitting will be very advisable.

One of the most innovative inclusions in this kit is a small plastic ball. This is intended to be used as a mould, of sorts, to form a concave landing light from annealed brass!

Griffon Model Accessories' 1/48 scale Barracuda Mk.II/III Detail Set is a very impressive offering. It comprehensively deals with most of the shortcomings noted in the Special Hobby kit, and very effectively covers a number of additional areas too.

With all these enhancements in place, Special Hobby's Barracuda will be a genuine showstopper.

This is not a set for the beginner, but if you have experience working with resin and small photo-etched parts, and you are planning to build either of Special Hobby's Barracuda kits, you really should consider Griffon's detail set.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Griffon Model Accessories for the review sample.

Griffon Model Accessories are available online from their website