Another interesting, timely upgraded cockpit from Aires – thanks from IPMS USA for providing us this excellent upgrade!

If you have not built an Aires cockpit before, have a light read here. They are worth the time and cash, but require a bit more work than just a paint and “drop in” session.

The Meng Me-410 cockpit is an excellent item as it is; the Aires replacement provides fineness and detail which is lacking in the basic injected kit item. The assembly process is as follows: CAREFULLY remove the excess resin from the bottom and back of the cockpit tubs. I use a small Delta belt sander for this; it’s a great way to destroy small parts, so be careful. You can also put some really cool debridement of your skin and knuckles on the list. The other cleanup option includes a razor saw, a glove on the holding hand, and patience…then a sanding block to clean up, and more patience. Go slowly, no matter what method you use.

I then paint all the resin and PE parts with Duplicolor acrylic lacquer Hot Rod Primer. Some reasons for this – first, it makes the parts easier to work with, paint, and detail, as the other paints will then stick. Second, it provides a nice, even dark gray color similar to scaled-down RLM 66 interior black. Third, it just looks right that way (and dries very fast!).

The instructions have you start with the seats and PE harness. I recommend you wait until the model is about finished to take care of these; I lost the over-the shoulder harnesses on the front seat and this would not have happened if I had waited.

Side panels need to be removed carefully from their pour stubs; there are four, two for the front, two for the back. Both have excellent rib and equipment detail!

The instrument panels are the film and PE panel variety. Paint the back of the panel film white, cut them out, and use clear acrylic to install on the PE, lining up the dials on the bezels. Front panels, both left and right, a lower between-the-legs panel for the engine instruments, and a small fret for the aft gunner position.

The forward interior tub with instrument panels is next, along with all the microscopic PE throttle, propeller pitch, and engine mixture levers. A bit of detail painting, some drybrushing, and it really looks great. The aft tub has foot stirrups, a triple-gunsight tail gun sighting system for the two side-mounted defensive turrets, and well detailed gunsights. The aft bulkhead has a full radio suite, which is well worth detailing.

These tubs are then installed in the fuselage sides. You DID remember to thin the existing fuselage halves radically and remove all the interior details, right? If not, the fuselage will not close. You can TRY to force it, but reality is you will induce stress cracks. Take your time and get everything you can thinned down and ready to accept the kit items.

The upper turtledeck acts as a guide for both tubs; again, care and patience are required. The pilot’s backrest armor plate is a single, easy to clean up and paint item.

Included in the parts is a forward gun sight, various grab handles, and other cool little details, many of which go on the clear parts. Use acrylic clear glue (I use Gator glue) for best results. The control stick is absolutely stunning; it should be the last item installed.

A bit of paint touch-up may be required, but in the end, after you install the seats and fine details, you will have a great cockpit set up.

Suggested for advanced modelers due to the requirement to thin the fuselage and cockpit sides. As usual, well done, Aires, and thanks to IPMS USA for allowing me to review this item!