In the second of two new WW2 etched sets (see the G3M HERE), Platz have once again teamed up with Eduard in a release tailored to the Japanese home market. Set #M-72X-07 is designed to upgrade Hasegawa’s Ki-48 Lily.

The set concentrates largely on the interior, and although the fret supplied is quite small, it contains 63 new parts - which gives some idea of just what a radical make-over is possible. Some of the parts are repainted and look quite amazing, with absolutely minute details that would be virtually impossible to paint by hand. The obviously highlights are the main instrument panel and consoles, plus the by now almost obligatory seat harnesses.

The pilot receives a new seat and rudder pedals which must be folded to shape, but it’s really the inside of each fuselage half that will be totally transformed by this upgrade. The port side benefits from a new side console and throttle quadrant, along with various other pieces of equipment, while the starboard fuselage is festooned with no less than 10 new engineering and radio consoles - all intricately pre-painted. There are some boxes to fold, and a little scratch building is required in the form of styrene rectangles as backing for the etched fascias. Some of the parts (e.g. the numerous levers) are quite tiny, so a fine pair of tweezers and a magnifier won’t go amiss, but the overall assembly doesn’t look complicated and if you take your time you should have no trouble fitting out a spectacular interior.

Rounding things off, there are new gunsights provided for the Lily’s defensive armament, and the set adds a pair of nicely detailed oleo scissors for the kit’s main landing gear.

The instructions are typically Eduard in style, with their usual excellent clear diagrams, but with partly Japanese captions, and are printed in colour to highlight where parts need replacing or modifying. The actual notes on the diagrams are in English, so non-Japanese speakers will have no trouble using the set.

Conclusion

Platz’s set for the Ki-48 is excellent and should produce an eye-popping “office” for the Hasegawa kit. Highly recommended.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.