It's the primary reason given when you ask modelers why they don't build biplanes - it's because of the rigging. If there was a way to have this one "chore" (as some modelers think it is) made easier, then maybe more modelers would build biplanes. Well, Starfighter Decals have made this "chore" of rigging biplanes a little bit easier. This time, it's for the Monogram/Accurate Miniatures 1/72 Curtiss P-6E.
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You may wonder why photoetch for rigging. It's because the wires at that time were actually "flatter" than the typical "rod-type" rigging. This is why photoetch rigging makes sense for this aircraft. What Starfighter has done is supplied both rigging wires in parallel, with an end that is to be folded in place. This will work well because the ends actually come out of "holes" so when the folded ends are painted black it will appear to be these "holes". Not only do you receive the rigging for between the wings, but there are also "wires" for between the center struts and the center of the wing, as well as the "V-shaped rigging" that goes from the upper vertical tail surfaces to the fin. There is also the rigging for the underside of the horizontal stabilizers and control horns for all control surfaces. However, unlike the other photoetch rigging sets from Starfighter, this one for the P-6E also contains two pieces to represent the front "grill" to the underside radiator.
So, once you build your Monogram/Accurate Miniatures P-6E using their cockpit set, and mark the model using one of their decal sheets, then you can finish your P-6E using Starfighter Decals' photoetch rigging set. Brilliant!
Will this work on the Olimp kit? I don't see why not, but since I've been working on one for quite a long time, and hope to have it finished soon, I will try the rigging set out on it, and hope for the best.
Not only do I thank Starfighter Decals for sending this set to review, more importantly I thank them for continuing to release detail sets for these older - and oft-forgotten - 'tweener models.