Aires’ new design, which enhances the Electronic Bays, is easily a step up from Trumpeter’s bays. Aires found a weak spot in this area of the A-4 and designed more realistically detailed bays, as you can see in the comparison picture of just how much more detailed the Aires bays look. This kit is a definite upgrade which can be easily detected by anyone admiring your model.

The kit contains nine pieces of highly detailed grey resin parts which fit together perfectly. In my sample, I didn’t find any bubbles or flaws of any kind, which is typical of Aires products, and the attachment point on the block does not affect any detail when the cutting is complete. Of course, dry fitting is essential, but if you cut straight there are no problems. The instruction sheet is straightforward with easy-to-follow diagrams, and the assembled pieces are simple replacements of the original parts. No cutting or filling is required. One word of caution – be very careful with handling the access doors, as the attachment arms are very fragile. I did make sure to wash the parts with hot water and mild detergent because there was a lot of the releasing agent still present.

Trumpeter’s bays are passable but, for attaining the max, this kit will definitely step it up to a higher level for those builders who are used to that extra degree of detail and realism. I highly recommend this kit for the beginner as well as the more experienced modeler, due to the ease of installation and the affordable price.

I would like to express my thanks to Aires Hobby Models for sending us these samples for review and IPMS/USA for giving me the opportunity to review them.