Quickboost has released a complete set of replacement control surfaces for modelers who wish to finish their Tamiya’s 1/72 Focke Wulf Fw-190A-3 with the rudder deflected and stabilizers dropped. These parts were available previously in two Quickboost sets (QB 72 309 – Stabilizers & QB 72 311 – Rudders). But, now Quickboost offers everything in one set.

The parts are cast in the typical Quickboost medium gray resin that is both flexible and resilient. Detail is crisp, with recessed panel lines that are curiously close to those found on the kit parts. It looks like Quickboost started with the Tamiya kit parts, cut them apart, and added a groove in the stabilizers so the elevators will fit properly in whatever position the modeler desires. It also appears that Quickboost added a V–shaped edge to a rudder that was separated from a Tamiya kit so it will fit perfectly against the fin after the rudder is cut away from the kit part.

There is a little flash on each stabilizer that is intended to protect the cast parts from damage when being removed from the molds. This flash is easy to remove with a #11 blade after the parts are separated from the casting block. No instruction sheet is included in the package because it is obvious what to remove and what to use. Note that the resin stabilizers do not have keyed tabs like the kit parts because the left and right side parts are identical and interchangeable.

Because the material is resin, it is necessary to use superglue (CA) or epoxy cement to attach the parts to each other and to the kit’s styrene plastic fuselage sides. It is important to remember that if the elevators are placed in an up or down position, the control stick should be positioned forward or back to match the amount of deflection.

This product is recommend as a quick and easy way for modelers to achieve a more natural pose for their 1/72 Tamiya Focke Wulf Fw-190A-3 (or, with a little adjustment, most other 1/72 Focke Wulf kits, too).

My thanks to Quickboost for the review sample and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this set of detail parts.