This update set is typical Aires, coming in a sturdy plastic package with foam backing and instructions tucked between the cardboard back and plastic. First impression – how crisp the detail is on the electronics bay as well as the access doors. Mold release is non-existent; however, I still recommend washing the resin before use.

Compared to the Kitty Hawk kit parts, the Aires bay is much deeper than the kit bay, which is very shallow. The kit part features are very crude while the Aires set has far more detail and is very sharp. The kit’s access doors exteriors do not look much different from Aires’ except for the air inlet scoop. The inside of the doors is where the update really shines. There is no detail in the Kitty Hawk parts, while the Aires doors have very fine detail showing structural ribs and insulation blanket detail.

Fine detail is really nice, but if the part doesn’t fit, then what good is the update set? That is not an issue with this set. As the instructions state, some trimming of plastic necessary, and from my test fit the bay will fit right into the fuselage after a small amount of trimming is made to only one rib. This comes as a great relief compared to other update sets; only a sharp hobby knife will be needed to remove the excess kit detail, and then it is a drop-in fit.

Aires is known for exquisite detail on all of their update sets and this review sample is no exception. I would like to thank Aires and IPMS/USA for this review sample.