Quickboost recently released a set of detail parts for the 1/72 Tamiya P-47D that shows their unique focus on accuracy. Set QB 72 282 provides model builders with a pair of oil coolers that will not only add an often-overlooked detail, but also correct a distortion that is molded into the kit fuselage parts. Tamiya’s practice of simplifying kit construction usually leads to molding as much detail as possible into major parts. This sometimes leads to less than perfect shapes here and there (such as those oval shaped rivet depressions along the mating surfaces of both fuselage halves).

The oil cooler louvres molded into the kit’s fuselage halves are incorrectly angled upward so they will release from the molds. This inaccuracy becomes very obvious when the kit's parts are compared to the Quickboost replacement parts (as shown in the photo below).

The parts are cast in the same soft gray resin material currently used to cast all other Quickboost parts. They can be removed quickly from the casting block with an x-acto knife or a small saw blade and easily fitted into the opening if the kits parts are carefully removed. The crisp detail is amazing…including the oil cooler face recessed inside. The casting is flawless with no cleanup required and there are no pinholes to worry about. They may be attached with super glue.

These parts are highly recommended to anyone who wants to add detail to Tamiya’s 1/72 P-47D kits.

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