It seems that when a new kit hits the market, it quickly is followed by a flood of aftermarket detail sets. Fortunately, Aires understands that kits purchased today may not reach the workbench for some time, so they also continue to release aftermarket sets for kits that many of us have in our stash (or that we have not yet added to that inventory). Set #2158 is a glowing example of that. Trumpeter’s 1/32 MiG 3 kit has been on the market for a few years now, and Aires recently released a highly detailed mixed-media cockpit set to add considerable detail to that kit. The detail in this set’s resin components, as is normal with Aires sets, is crisp, delicate and complex enough to make the MiG’s cockpit quite convincing. Those parts are cast in Aires’ typical gray resin and, as usual, there are no pinholes or excessive flash to worry about (just a thin sliver of flash here and there that comes off easily). The resin is not brittle, but reasonable care should be exercised when removing the small parts from the casting block. A #11 blade or razor saw can be used to remove most parts and a swipe with a sanding stick will work fine to dress the cut edges.

There are 19 resin parts in the set. They include a new floor, seat back, seat pan, left and right cockpit sidewalls, left and right sidewall frames with multiple details cast on, instrument panel back plate, rudder peddles, floor frame members, flap actuator, and various handles and other small bits to enhance detail. The only kit part used is the well-detailed control column. The only additional piece needed is a little section of wire the builder is instructed to cut and attach between the rudder pedals.

The set includes a photo-etch fret with 43 parts to finish detailing the instrument panel, throttle levers, sidewall trim wheels, two options for seat belts and buckles, brackets, and more handles and levers. In addition to the resin and photo-etched parts, Aires includes a small film printed with instrument faces to sandwich between the resin and multiple PE pieces to make up the well-detailed instrument panel.

Everything is provided to add considerable detail to the cockpit.

This set is highly recommended to anyone who is interested in adding more detail to Trumpeter’s 1/32 MiG 3 kit.

My thanks to IPMS/USA and Aires Hobby Models for the opportunity to review this detail set.