RAF Late Type Turnbuckles

Published on
February 23, 2014
Review Author(s)
MSRP
$23.00
Product / Stock #
13-32016
Base Kit
Any 1/32 scale rigged WWI Aircraft
Company: GasPatch Models - Website: Visit Site
Provided by: GasPatch Models - Website: Visit Site
Package

WWI aircraft model builders will be interested to know that GasPatch’s line of aftermarket detail parts also now includes cast metal turnbuckles for rigging late war and between-the-war RAF aircraft. As previously noted in IPMS/USA product reviews, the Gas Patch aftermarket details represent “…a significant and notable advance in the quality of aftermarket parts for WWI aircraft”. These turnbuckles certainly are further proof of that statement.

As the photo above shows, the detailed components come well packaged in a carded blister pack with a foam insert to protect the parts. Assembly instructions (shown in one of the photos below) are printed on the inside of the folded card. A photo below from the Gas Patch website shows a close up of one of the turnbuckles to illustrate the high level of detail cast into each part. Other photos below show the small metal casting block that includes 60 of these little turnbuckles and one including a nickel to show how small these parts really are. These turnbuckles are definitely beautiful and promise to add greatly to the look of a finished model, but the method of installing them just might prove to be a tedious task that also might be potentially frustrating.

The photo of the instruction sheet tells the story. Installation involves placing the turnbuckle into holes drilled at the appropriate angle where rigging must be anchored. Then…attaching the end of a rigging line with a drop of superglue to the stub protruding from the end of the turnbuckle. Since there is no eyelet or ring to loop the rigging line through, each ‘wire’ must be aligned and glued in place to the stub…undoubtedly demanding near perfect alignment and extreme care when placing them. Unfortunately, when attached, rigging lines will look great but will not add much to the strength of the rigging.

This item is recommended to anyone who wants to add a high level of detail to an RAF late war WWI aircraft model and is prepared for the way they are to be aligned and attached. My thanks to GasPatch Models for providing the review sample and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.

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