Made specifically for the Tamiya 1/48 scale P-47 Bubbletop, this comprehensive aftermarket set comes in Aires’ usual blister package. Separately ensconced in a secondary bubble are photo etch and film parts, along with the usual blue instructions.

In fact, the instructions alone come in for any criticism that may be reasonably leveled at this set. They are composed entirely of minimalist exploded drawings spread over two sides of a single folded sheet of paper, with only number callouts and small notations in both English and Czech. There is no history or background text, and the modeler is left to his own devices concerning colors and, in many cases, actual part placement. However, none of this is really a detriment, and any halfway competent modeler with a reference book or two in his library will overcome nicely.

That’s it. No other complaints. The resin parts are perfectly cast, almost unbelievably detailed, and entirely free of distortion. The photo etched parts likewise display a level of perfection of detail that, if anything, is almost a little overkill for this scale. More importantly, they fit perfectly to their associated resin parts, as do the printed film parts which make up the instrument faces and glass covers.

As we’ve already alluded, this set is designed for the excellent Tamiya Jug, and it’s perfectly possible the builder will spend more time doing justice to these bits of resin and metal than on all of the rest of the kit combined. It is complicated, and there are about a bazillion (technical term) tiny etched parts, but if you take your time and attend to the basics, a singularly spectacular result is possible, and in only a fraction of the time scratchbuilding would take.

For reference, I turned to the “Detail and Scale” series, primarily for colors and some of the more esoteric parts placement. Downloaded pictures from one or two internet sites filled out where Bert left off, and with everything in hand, we set about the task.

There is really not all that much to say – it went together perfectly. Basic color is Humbrol Bronze Green lightened as needed for the proper scale effect. A dark wash of burnt umber oils was followed by a number of dry brush attacks and followup washes. Detail colors are a mix of Vallejo acrylics, Testor’s enamels, and the odd metalizer here and there.

One little trick I like in dealing with these photo etched parts is to round them out with super glue. This is especially handy with the knobs which need to be formed on the eighty or so miniscule handles that festoon just about every part of the office. A small drop of medium gel cyanoacrylate is placed carefully where the knob belongs, and is followed up immediately with only a whiff of accelerator. The trick here is to realize it is the accelerator fumes which to the job, not the liquid itself; just carefully wave a micro brush full of the stuff up near the little glue blob and it will immediately crystalize into a perfectly formed round ball. Literally takes only a second or two. It’s a small detail, but it shows off wonderfully when painted.

The seatbelts were annealed before being carefully draped into natural cloth-like poses. This is an often neglected effect and is not the easiest part of any build encompassing metal belts. It takes time and observation of the prototype parts and is utterly impossible unless the metal is annealed. Also, they should be painted once in place, not before, because all the twisting and repositioning will flake off even the best pre-paint job.

The only parts added to the entire cockpit were a selection of placard decals and a wire at the back of the gun sight. The sharp-eyed will note I have also added a reflector pane to the sight, which is true, but it did come from the photo film in the set – so there.

It’s the installation of the parts into the model where this set really shines. It fits. Perfectly. Anyone who has ever persevered through other Aires sets (like the big Corsair package) will know that this is not always necessarily a given. There is not one teeny weenie iota of shaving, fitting, filing, cutting or cussing required. It snapped into place like…well…like it was made for it. Take yes for an answer. Rejoice, give thanks, and sing.

I’m not a big Thunderbolt fan; (I avoided the word “Jug” deliberately in the interest of maintaining personal veracity…) but, this little cockpit came out so well, I might just be inspired to finish the rest of the model. The M wasn’t the most widely used variant, but I think I can live with that.

Highly recommended; if a Mike model is on your to-do list, get this set from Aries, you won’t be sorry.

My thanks to Aires for the review example.