Aires has created a new wheel bay upgrade set for the Trumpeter F-100C or F-100D. The set’s parts include the main wheel bay in the fuselage, the nose wheel bay, inserts to go into the wings, the nose gear doors and various struts, hoses, and retraction arms, along with a piece of wire to be used to replicate the hydraulic hoses for the main gear struts. In my set, the smaller pieces were broken off the casting block and all but two were missing. However, I’ve seen other copies of this set and this is not typical.

In order to install this set, you are directed to remove the kit wheel bays and the detail inside the top part of the wing. An advantage of this set is that you will not have to deal with the seam down the middle of the main bay after assembly. Additionally, there is added detail compared to the kit parts, especially in relation to the gear doors.

This is another typical Quickboost accessory set. It’s designed to be a drop fit replacement for a kit part, usually with detail enhanced in some way. For this particular set, the ends of the intakes are hollowed out for you. As you can see in the accompanying pictures, you’d have to do that for yourself with the kit parts. Mind you, there’s nothing wrong with the kit parts. This set just saves you the time it would take to add that extra level of detail and there are eight of them. The parts are nicely molded, with crisp detail and no casting flaws or bubbles. They are handed, so be careful that you put the correct one on the correct side.

Thanks go to Quickboost for providing the sample and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.

This is the first of a series of 1/32^nd Napoleonic figures from Master Box, who has always given us unusual or creative modeling subjects. Upon opening this box, the modeler will find one sprue of gray plastic with 45 parts. Detail is good, with the kit representing a mounted French Red Lancer as he marches through Holland on his way to Russia, a local girl has provided a drink for him and his mount.