Here’s another of those useful little accessories from Master Model of Poland. These are finely done turned brass parts to replace those fragile and easily bent, broken, or lost parts from your lovely Victor.

In this case, it’s the pitots and the refueling probe. There’s a pitot at the end of both wings, and they’re right out there where the least bit of careless handling will either bend or break the pitots. The refueling boom is right out there in front, just inviting some disaster. More about my Airfix VC-10 tanker later.*

Installation

I did the refueling probe first. The instructions are VERY clear and easy to follow.

• Cut off the plastic probe at the indicated spot. I then used a sanding stick to get a flat surface which I could drill.
• Drill a .3mm hole. Test fit a couple of times to be sure it’s deep enough.
• Use CA glue to hold the brass part.
• Paint the finished installation.

Then the pitot tubes. They follow the same 4 steps.

The most difficult part of the whole operation is getting the drill to start in the pitots, and then keeping it straight.

Evaluation

Highly recommended. These parts will stand up to just about any 12-year old who fails to read the “Do Not TOUCH” signs. The pitots will bend, but they can be straightened, and they don’t break.

Many Thanks to Master Model for the upgrade set, and to IPMS USA for allowing me to kid proof my Victor.

* I used the cut off portion of the refueling probe to fix the probe on my Airfix VC-10 tanker, which has been sitting there broken for about 3 years now.