Master – Reality in Miniature is a scale model metal detailing parts manufacturer located in Poland. Their lines include exquisitely detailed photo-etched and white metal replacement parts for aircraft and ships in the most commonly produced scales.

Master has produced a replacement gun tip and nose pitot for 1/72 A-10 Thunderbolt II (that’s the “Warthog”, for those not in tune with “official” USAF nicknames) kits. This goodie is intended to dress up and/or supplement the plastic kit parts. The easily assembled gun nose and turned metal pitot are clean plug-in replacements for the kit plastic parts.

A side by side evaluation (see photos) indicates an identical replacement that provides a much more realistic scale-detailed assembly with a significantly improved abuse tolerance. Some cautionary advice: for those without basic modeling experience, use very thin CA (Superglue) sparingly, to assemble and attach these metal parts to your plastic kit, as the usual plastic glues do not react with the metal. Painting of the tube and gun nozzle assembly will be necessary, so check your references, and be sure to prime with the appropriate materials that are compatible with your preferred metallic paints. Painting of the gun-tip parts may be easier to complete, if done prior to assembly.

Overall, this is an excellent replacement set that will lend increased realism to your 1/72 Thunderbolt II, umm, make that “WARTHOG”!

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the IPMS Reviewer Corps and Master – Reality in Miniature for the opportunity to review this item.