Want an easy upgrade to any 1/48 Sukhoi Su-15? Step right up to the new Quickboost Su-15 landing lights set that provides a beautiful replacement to what is supplied in the kit. The supplied instructions identify where new the Quickboost replacements go. The parts are packaged in the standard Quickboost re-closable packaging with a paper stiffener along with the instructions. These parts will fit the Trumpeter series of Su-15s (02810; Su-15 Flagon-A; 02811; Su-15TM Flagon-F; 02812, Su-15UM Flagon-G).

Quickboost has molded the landing lights perfectly in light grey resin and clear resin with no apparent bubbles. The Quickboost landing lights are supplied with thin resin attachments to the parts that should minimize any cleanup. Although most paints will adhere to resin alone, I would recommend that you wash the parts to remove any remaining mold release and prime them first. They will need to be installed with your favorite CA (super glue) or epoxy, as the normal plastic glues or solvents will not react with the resin.

Be very careful removing the parts from the resin block, especially the landing light bulbs. I used a photo-etched razor saw to remove the parts and Scotch tape to surround the parts to keep them from flying into the carpet. You can see the difference in the installation of the Trumpeter supplied lens and the Quickboost housing-bulb-lens below. The Quickboost resin lenses are less than half the thickness of the Trumpeter supplied injected plastic lenses and probably easily could be broken, so be careful. Both the Trumpeter and the Quickboost lenses will need a dip in Future to improve their clarity.

To get the Quickboost housing to fit, you will need to remove the Trumpeter ‘housing’. I used a # 51 Carbide drill bit to enlarge the hole and then used a mini round file to adjust the diameter of the hole. I then used Xuron snips to remove the remaining housing from the inside of the wing so the Quickboost housing could be flush mounted. I did have concerns about a good fit, but I got the housing to snug-up on the first try. To place the bulb into the housing, I wet a round wooden toothpick and was able to pick up the bulb easily and drop the bulb tang into the housing hole. I did the same with the resin lens. The housing reflector surface will need to be a bright polished metal in color. I will secure the landing light bulb with Future acrylic and allow it to dry. Just to make sure, I will add another drop of Future over the bulb and reflector to add some sparkle. Total preparation time for each landing light was under ten minutes.

This product is a good way to enhance your Sukhoi Su-15 and well worth the time and cost. This product is highly recommended due to the superior appearance of the Quickboost parts.

Thanks to Aires Hobby Models and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this set.