Aires

1/32 P-51B/C Mustang gun bays

 product # 2097 for Trumpeter kit

Product article by Steve Bamford on Dec 22 2009

 

This latest release from Aires features a complete pair of resin gun bays for the P-51B/C Mustang from Trumpeter.  

This detail set includes;

  • 2 gun bays

  • 4 machine guns with barrels

  • 6 thinly cast gun bay covers with detail on both sides of the panels

  • Photo Etch parts for added detail

  • Various parts to replicate the belts of bullets

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The quality of the resin casting is flawless and bubble free.  The instructions are brief by adequate to figure out where each part goes.  One of the gun barrels was slightly bent, but resin can be easier straightened with a careful application of steam to warm the resin to soften it, before you straighten it and let it cool.  The bullets are beautifully cast and I would think the real challenge is going to be painting the bullets and gun bay.  Casting the belts of bullets separately from the gun bays would have made painting much easier.  But by using a combination of careful painting with drybrushing and washes should give you very good results.

The P-51 has some of the nicest, detail rich gun bays in the wings that I've seen and this set is sure to give you the wonderful detail in this area that you crave for your big 1/32 P-51B/C Mustang. 

You can purchase this and other fine resin detail items directly from Aires or from the many retailers that carry their products.  A list of some of those retailers can be found here.    

Steve

I would like to thank Aires for providing me with this review sample.

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Photos and text © by Steve Bamford