Note: Before you begin, click the link to the Tulsa, Oklahoma group The Gap Band. Their hit, “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” is the perfect listening accompaniment for this topic. The DIAZO effects used in the video are kinda cool, too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17lkdqoLt44&list=RD17lkdqoLt44&start_radio=1&t=31

With apologies to Wikipedia... “PAVE Way is a series of laser-guide bombs (L.G.B.). PAVE, or pave, is sometimes used as an acronym for Precision Avionics Vectoring Equipment; literally, electronics for controlling the speed and direction of aircraft. Laser guidance is a form of PAVE.

The Special Hobby 1/48 Siebel Si 204D has a lot of detail in the cockpit and cabin, so it is a shame that no seatbelts are provided. Eduard have come to the rescue with this excellent set of pre-painted steel seatbelts. The Siebel has two seats in the cockpit, plus another five seats in the radio compartment and cabin. Eduard provides lap belts and shoulder harnesses for the two seats up front, and lap belts for the five aft seats. The color looks good, and I didn’t experience any problems with the pre-painted colors coming off.

This is the first time I have used Eduard’s steel belts, and I must say I am hooked. They are much easier to manipulate than the brass items, so they can be bent into much more natural looking seatbelts. They also seemed to be easier to cut from the fret, which is nice. Eduard’s instructions were clear and easy to follow.

Aftemarket Accessories Used

Several months ago I had the opportunity to review the following Hypersonic Models aftermarket accessory set that I had originally planned to use on a Zoukei Mura F-4S Phantom. However with the opportunity to build and review the "J" version I decided now is the time to utilize this set. Since the Zoukei Mura Phantom has had its share of reviews I will focus my efforts on describing the modifications to the kit with the inclusion of the following Hypersonic Models accessory set into the build.

In the Box

Instructions

The instruction booklet was divided into 18 pages of clearly marked parts. The instructions contained 38 separate steps to complete the model. At the end of the instruction booklet there were painting and decal application illustrations.

Sprues

Contained in the box were 19 different model part sprues molded in olive green. Also contained in the kit, 8 rubber tires and a thread type tow cable.

Photo Etch

Two sheets of PE are included with the kit.

Clear Plastic

There were two clear sprues of parts for the kit, they were for light lenses and view ports on the top of the vehicle body.

Decal Sheet

The sheet was sparse with vehicle id numbers and stencils. The vehicle had very few areas for the application of decals. Application of the decals went easily, and the carrier film was not very thick.

I hate to mask canopies and helicopters, especially transport ones, have plenty. I am a huge fan of pre-cut masks. Building the Kitty Hawk MH-60L was a lot of fun.

The Eduard masking set offers masks for the front windshield, overhead panels, pilot doors, window sliding doors, chin bubbles, cargo doors, and wheels. You also get masks for the landing lights. This is really a complete set which will help in making this kit.

The masking set comes in a typical resealable package with card stock inside, which protects the masks. The masks themselves are precisely cut from Kabuki tape. This is the best material for the compound curves. There are two sheets, the one is for the sliding cargo doors, and the other has masks for all the other pieces. You will have to add masking fluid to cover some areas but that is to be expected with the large expanses and compound curves.

The instructions are very helpful and show exactly how to use what and where.