Cutting Edge Resin Detailsby Michael Benolkin |  |
The folks at Meteor Productions have been busy again. They continue to turn out great aftermarket detail parts and sets to compliment many of the latest kit releases as well as dress up many of the 'classic' kits. This latest batch definitely addresses the new and old kits nicely. Let's take a look:
CEC32087 - A-10 Dual Rail Adapter (DRA)
MSRP: $8.99 - Recommended Kit: Trumpeter 1/32 A-10
This is a highly detailed replacement for the kit DRA and would appear more stunning without the AIM-9L/M Sidewinders loaded. I hope we see this available in 1/48 scale as well!
CEC32088 - Bf 109E Super Detailed Cockpit w/Molded Seatbelts
MSRP: $21.99 - Recommended Kit: Hasegawa 1/32 Bf 109E
Close on the heels of Cutting Edge's detail sets for the new Hasegawa 1/32 Bf 109G series, they've now provided the same stunning detail options for the old 1/32 Bf 109E kit as well. This set provides a complete replacement cockpit including a new tub, sidewalls, instrument panel (w/acetate instrument faces), and all of the various details that round out the Messerschmitt office. The set also provides the details to differentiate the cockpit between the fighter and fighter-bomber versions.
CEC32106 - Bf 109E Super Detailed Cockpit w/Poseable Seatbelts
MSRP: $24.99 - Recommended Kit: Hasegawa 1/32 Bf 109E
Same as the set above except that the pilot's seat has the seat pad but no seat belts/harnesses molded as these are provided seperately molded in a poseable rubber.
CEC32107 - Bf 109E Pilot's Seat
MSRP: $5.99 - Recommended Kit: Hasegawa 1/32 Bf 109E
This set provides a pair of pilot's seats without seat belts or pads.
CEC32108 - Bf 109E Pilot's Seat
MSRP: $5.99 - Recommended Kit: Hasegawa 1/32 Bf 109E
This set provides a pair of pilot's seats with pads and without seat belts.
CEC32110 - Bf 109E Super Detailed Instrument Panel
MSRP: $5.99 - Recommended Kit: Hasegawa 1/32 Bf 109E
This set provides the two-tiered instrument panel for the Hasegawa Bf 109E kit as a seperate option if you choose not to buy one of the complete sets above.
CEC32111 - Bf 109E Pilot's Seat
MSRP: $5.99 - Recommended Kit: Hasegawa 1/32 Bf 109E
This set provides a pair of pilot's seats with pads and seat belts/harnesses.
CEC32112 - Bf 109E Pilot's Seat
MSRP: $5.99 - Recommended Kit: Hasegawa 1/32 Bf 109E
This set provides a pair of pilot's seats with seat belts/harnesses and without pads.
CEC48292 - U-2A-F Airframe Conversion
MSRP: $18.99 - Recommended Kit: Hawk/Testors 1/48 U-2A/C
If you'll recall the variety of detail sets for the venerable Hawk/Testors U-2A/C kits that we reviewed a few months ago, we were suddenly able to transform the bare bones stock kit into a state-of-the-art model. The only details missing were the speed brakes/wells, and forward wheel well (the rear wheel well was provided on the replacement tailpipe). This set not only provides these missing details, it also supplies accurate cooling scoops, landing lights, detailed main gear strut, and dorsal (short) canoe. Outstanding!
CEC48332 - A-4M Super Detailed Cockpit
MSRP: $18.99 - Recommended Kit: Hasegawa 1/48 A-4E/F Skyhawk
This set complements the earlier conversion sets released for the A-4E/F kit and must be used with either CEC48401 (A-4M Conversion), CEC48323 (A-4N Conversion), CEC48333 (A-4KU Conversion). This detail set updates the A-4M cockpit into the mid-production configuration and a separate CRT screen is provided if you are portraying an ARBS-equipped aircraft.
CEC48406 - Ar 234B Super Detailed Cockpit
MSRP: $11.99 - Recommended Kit: Hasegawa 1/48 Ar 234B
This set will significantly improve the stock Hasegawa cockpit with a new belt/harness-equipped pilot's seat, instrument panel, side consoles and numerous other details. The middle resin tree in the middle contains a variety of delicate parts and you can see in the photo on the left that Cutting Edge has begun to 'shield' their parts with an effective combination of cardboard and tape. Good show!
CEC48407 - Ar 234B Dropped Flaps
MSRP: $5.99 - Recommended Kit: Hasegawa 1/48 Ar 234B
For those of you not content with posing your Ar 234B with the flaps in the molded-up position, this inexpensive set provides you with replacement inboard and outboard flap sections to dress up your Arado Blitz.
CEC48408 - Fi 156 Storch Engine
MSRP: $13.99 - Recommended Kit: ESCI 1/48 Fi 156
This set replaces the front-end of the ESCI 1/48 Fieseler Storch kit with a new engine, cowling, prop and venturi tubes. As you can see in these photos, the molding is quite nice indeed!
CEC48409 - U-2R/U-2S/TR-1A Super Detailed Cockpit
MSRP: $18.99 - Recommended Kit: Testors/Italeri 1/48 U-2R/TR-1A
If you've been wondering why the old U-2A/F kit was getting all of the attention and not having the equivalent options with the current 'Dragon Ladies', your wait is over. This set transforms the bland Testors/Italeri U-2R/TR-1A cockpit into a super detailed marvel. The set includes a completely new cockpit tub, ejection seat, instrument panel, comb, and all of the various details required to accurize the cockpit. Combine this set with Cutting Edge's ASARS nose or Senior Span conversions, and you'll be able to protray a few of the many unique configurations that the Dragon Lady uses in the service of her country today.
CEC48414 - U-2R/U-2S/TR-1A Ejection Seat
MSRP: $6.99 - Recommended Kit: Testors/Italeri 1/48 U-2R/TR-1A
If you'd rather not deail with the complete replacement cockpit, this set provides a pair of ejection seats without belts/harnesses so you can strap your pilot into the cockpit on a beautifully rendered seat.
CEC48415 - C-130 Pinocchio Nose
MSRP: $13.99 - Recommended Kit: Testors/Italeri 1/48 DC-130A
This is one of the first of many announced conversions for the Testors/Italeri 1/48 Hercules. This set provides an accurate profile nose for the drone-equipped motherships designated DC-130 for both the USAF and USN service. If your drone Herc even remotely has a tail-sitting problem, strap on this significant bit of resin and your bird will be planted firmly on its gear whilst looking good. We hope that Cutting Edge will also consider accurate replacements for the too-short engine nacelles as well!
CELO44002 - Pegasus XL & L-1011 Adapter
MSRP: $17.99 - Recommended Kit: Airfix 1/144 L-1011
Cutting Edge has entered the realm of space operations with this latest conversion - the Pegasus XL. When Orbital Science Corporation (OSC) developed this larger version of the Pegasus launch vehicle, they needed a new platform to drop the XL as it was too large for the NASA B-52 mothership. This set provides the Pegasus XL and under-fuselage adapter for OSC's L-1011 mothership. Cool!
As always, it is fascinating to see what is coming next from the talented group of mold makers at Cutting Edge. It is also refreshing to see their continued commitment to support old and new kits alike! You can obtain your Cutting Edge detail sets directly from Meteor Productions.
My sincere thanks to Meteor Productions for these review samples!
