Aires has release a number of resin detail parts for Macchi WWII fighters in 1/48 scale. Among them is a set of wheels (with paint masks) for the Macchi C.202/205. The wheels are molded in the familiar medium density gray resin that Aires uses and they come on a common casting block. The wheels can be removed easily from the casting block with an x-acto knife or a small saw blade. The detail is crisp, delicate and convincing. No clean up is required and there are no pinholes to worry about. If care is exercised when removing the wheels from the casting block, the subtle tread pattern can be preserved.

The paint masks are a bit rigid and do not actually conform to the deep radius of the tire sidewall near the wheel hub. However, they do a good job of protecting the tires (that the instructions will have you paint first) before you airbrush color on the hubs.

Anyone who knows me knows I love the Bf-109 so when given the opportunity to review this set I jumped. Aimed at the Academy G-14 this is molded in light grey and clear resin, the cockpit set consists of ten grey resin pieces, one clear resin piece, a fret of PE and a clear acetate film. The level of detail is exquisite.

The resin side walls contain some of the best looking detail I’ve ever seen in a 109 cockpit. The modeler will have to do very little to get a great looking cockpit. Simply adding some PE parts and a good paint job would make this a good first upgrade for someone breaking into the aftermarket for the first time. One unique thing is the inclusion of a clear resin piece for the head armor. This ensures that the thickness of the armor panel is quite appropriately thick. Simply add a piece of PE to the top of it and the look is complete.

Molded in light grey and cream colored resin, the cockpit set consists of eight resin pieces, a fret of PE and a clear acetate sheet. The level of detail is exquisite. How they molded the control stick to the floor I will never know. These guys are incredible.

The parts breakdown is very logical. The instrument panel is a three piece affair incorporating a resin background, clear acetate film and a PE front. This makes for quite a nice looking cockpit. The rest of the cockpit builds up pretty conventionally, however the detail is anything but conventional. It is superb.

The cockpit will add dramatically to your Corsair. With a little bit of work I’m sure you can use this set in other kits as well.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review copy