Loon Models Conversions: P-51D-5 Fuselage, P-47C Cowling, Su-15TM Nose & Bf 109G-10 Wing |  | Loon Models is a new name on the market, and their tagline says it all "Because we're all a little Loony! And really, how can you be a modeler and not be loony? Well, these new conversion sets help that looniness in all of us, with most being a “'No Cut Conversion' and one labeled a 'Master Conversion. Of course the first one I looked at was the No Cut one, because while I may be loony, I'm also lazy, and no cut sounds like a winner to me!  Designed for the Tamiya P-51D (with a set for either 1/72 or 1/48) kit, this conversion, as the instructions say, "is 'bout as simple as it gets! All you have to do is replace the kit fuselage halves with the resin fuselage halves and you're done. A close look at the parts shows that some light cleanup will be needed, but this is truly a no cut conversion and the simplest way to get an early P-51D without the fin fillet. The instructions suggest cyanoacrylate or epoxy glue, and I would recommend epoxy for the slower setting time, just to give enough wiggle room to make sure everything is aligned right. Now all they need to come out with is a conversion set for the leftover fuselage halves to convert them into a P-82 &.
 The Su-15TM /UM corrected nose fixes a rather glaring error in the Trumpeter 1/48 kits. In the Flagon F and Flagon G kits, the nose points skyward rather dramatically, about three and a half degrees! This direct replacement fixes that error and gives the Trumpeter kit the proper look of a Flagon. The instructions note that for the Flagon A kit this is not needed, as those planes had a different type of nose and the kit is actually accurate for that version.
 Along the same lines as the Su-15 conversion is another nose job, this time for your 1/48 P-47. This conversion is for the Tamiya P-47D and it will convert your kit into a P-47C. But wait, you say. The P-47C had different lower fuselage contours in addition to the cowling, as it wasn't plumbed for the drop tanks. This is true, BUT not entirely. Apparently there were some P-47C-5s that were field-modified to take drop tanks, and so have the bulged keel that became standard on the P-47D. The instructions state in clearly: Check Your References! If you do one of those P-47C-5s, this is a no-cut conversion. If you do one of the other ones, you'll have to do a bit of fuselage reshaping on the bottom.
 The final conversion falls under the Master Conversion heading, and it's a bit more daunting than the Mustang fuselage, to be sure. This set provides a corrected and detailed wing for the Revell 1/72 Bf 109G-10. What's wrong with the kit wing, you say? Well, the most glaring error is with the landing gear: it''s set too far apart. This wing corrects that, as well as dropping the flaps and slats. In addition to the corrected wing, this set also includes a new spinner, correct propeller blades, a new rudder, and small wing bulges. All together this set will provide you with just about everything you need to build an accurate Bf 109G-10.
All of these sets are nicely cast in tan resin and have excellent detailing. While the Bf 109 wing is listed as a Master Conversion, it really is not outside the scope of anyone who has used resin before and will greatly improve the look of the aircraft. These conversions are highly recommended, and I hope that Loon Models keeps putting out great sets like these.
My thanks to Loon Models for the review samples. Loon
Models are available from Roll
Models. Check out their website for their complete product line.
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