This set provides belts for the F-104G using the Mk. GQ7A ejection seat.

The F-104 also used a C2 ejection seat, and one is provided in the Hasegawa kit I used (stock #PT 20), but the seats are very different designs, and this set won’t work on the C2 seat. In general, the export versions of the F-104 used the Mk. GQ7A seat. I would consider this a “must have” since the base kit doesn’t provide any kind of harness for the GQ7A seat.

Eduard makes two harness sets for this kit, the SUPERFABRIC set reviewed here, and FABRIC (Eduard #49 072) set that I’ll share with you in separate review. I have used SUPERFABRIC belts before and found them very easy to use. Once the part is peeled off the paper backing they are very flexible and easy to shape to the seat contours. The metal parts representing buckles, etc., are colored silver, and parts are separated in a way to represent overlaps where they occur on the real thing. Compared to the FABRIC belt set this system is much faster, since you don’t have to thread tiny belts through tiny PE parts. Essentially this is a peel and stick (with white glue) product. Personally, I found this set more user friendly than the FABRIC set, mainly because old eyes don’t like threading tiny belts. These belts have a slightly glossy finish that I will knock down with some flat clear.

In addition, the backside of these belts is colored the same as the front, meaning that you won't have to worry about touch ups when the belts are looped showing the backside.

If you’re building this kit, you simply must order this or the other Eduard set to complete the seat.

Thank you IPMS and Eduard for giving us options in providing a missing element on an otherwise great kit.