This Eduard set is for F-4 Phantom seats which need gray seat belts. There is also a set for green belts. The photoetched fret is colored and has 22 pieces on thin metal. All of the seat belts are gray in color with top straps being olive drab. All buckles are bare metal give a great color to the set. There is also a nice set of instructions for installing the belts.

Installation is easy, but first you need to get the seat prepared. I chose a couple of seats from Tamiya’s 1/32^nd scale Phantom. I built and painted the seats per the instructions and weathered the cushions and metal parts and then gave everything a nice flat coat in preparation for the belts. I started with the two top straps, by pre-bending them to fit close to the need. I glued the top in place and let it cure and then glued the remainder of the belt in place. The same was done working my way down the center with part #8 and then the rest of the belts. Everything fit very well and I kinked a few so they didn’t lay too flat.

I wanted a nice dirty set to compare to so I gave the set a couple of black washes and then additional pin washes. This was followed by some light dry brushing. A flat coat and the seat is finished.

Tamiya’s Phantom is great, but without seat belts the ejection seats look bare as you can see in the comparison photos. This set includes parts for two seats so it will fix the problem and make the kit seats stand out. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Eduard for the review sample and to IPMS/USA for the chance to review it.