Thank you to Riich Models, Dragon Models USA, and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for the chance to review this intriguing product. This is really one review of 2 different diameters, and there are 2 other smaller sizes available. Each package contains 5 pieces of soft pipe in about 800 mm (7.75 inches) lengths.

• Stock # RE 30006 (0.8 mm pipes)
• Stock # RE 30007 (1.0 mm pipes)

So, like me, I am sure that the title of “soft pipes” caught your eye. These items are not pipes per se, but are solid, smooth-surfaced, very flexible rods that are great imitations of scale pipes, hoses, and so on. The diameters seemed to be uniform throughout the lengths of the rods, although they are soft enough that I found myself flattening them easily with my calipers. I couldn’t verify what the rods are made of, but I suspect they might be some formulation of neoprene. Testors’ Dullcote flattened the shine nicely without dissolving the material. Testors’ Model Master enamel adhered quite well, but acrylic did not. That said, both types of paint and the Dullcote cracked easily on flexing, not surprisingly! Thin CA glue wicked nicely into joints between the soft pipes, and accelerator did not affect the material. Glued joint strength is certainly adequate, but joints did fail with extreme tweezer tugging. I did manage to stack the soft pipes flat in a variety of coiled positions, mimicking lines on a deck, but the pipes did have a little bit of tendency to spring back, some in tight curls. The 0.8 mm ones held quarter-inch radius turns fairly well and the 1.0 mm ones cornered well to 3/8-inch radius turns.

So what can be done with these items? Several suggestions are shown on the back of the package, such as oil, air, and brake lines. I thought of twisting rigging lines in larger-scale sailing vessels, cables, etc. I believe that the best results will be realized when holes are drilled to receive the end of the soft pipe, just like when detailing aircraft engines. If the soft pipe material is used to simulate coiled lines, etc., gluing the shapes on a piece of wax paper seems to work well, before moving the glued-up stuff into final position. I think that painting should be done after the soft pipes are secured in their ultimate location whenever possible because of the tendency for the finish to crack when the soft pipes are flexed. The soft pipes are certainly easier to use than the wire insulation tubing I’ve tried in the past.

All in all, I can see many applications for this interesting material. The uniformity of the color and dimensions, ease of working, and the post-installation paint adhesion all suggest that a full assortment of sizes will be very helpful for detailing work. I think I finally have a decent fire hose for my 1:48 carrier fire equipment!

Thank you again to Riich Models, Dragon Models USA, and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for the chance to review this neat product. I had fun with this review and I hope you will consider using Riich’s “Soft Pipes.”