ULTRACAST [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

Built Review
148
Curtiss P-40 Seats (without Harness)

by: Saúl García [ SHARKMOUTH ]

The Set
This simple detail set comes in a Ziploc bag with a cardboard header. Inside, there are two beautifully cast resin seats. The reproduction is flawless with absolutely no bubbles, pits, or damage.

Using It on a Hasegawa WarHawk
Preparations for usage are simple enough. Before removing the seats from the casting blocks, remove the flash from the upper web of the seat mounts. Note that I did not do this yet in the photos. After that is done, a few swipes with the back of a knife will free the seats for usage.

For the photo, I painted one black and then used Rub-N-Buff Silver to bring out the details. In many photos, the seats appear as natural metal. These seats are seen in all models except for the P-40N. It may be that during the production of the 'N, the seat was simplified.

Accuracy
The details are there and in scale. Compared to the kit seats, this one is a World apart. Ultracast does offer this seat with either US or British harnesses. However, this is my favorite since it allows me the freedom to place the harnesses as I wish.

The work needed to prepare this seat is much less than a photo-etched version and the detail is on both sides of the laterals.

Recommendation
This is a highly recommended upgrade for the Hasegawa cockpits shown in the photos, but is also good for many other models as well.

My thanks go out to Ultracast for the review sample.

References Used
Curtiss P-40 XP-46, XP-60 part 2 by Zbigniew Kolacha and Marek Rys in the Polish Language published by AJ Press
P-40 Walk Around by Lou Drendel published by Squadron Signal
Curtiss P-40 by Ehrman published by MBI (Czech Republic) in 1993
Curtiss P-40 by Ehrman and Roman published by MBI (Czech Republic) in 1998
Model Detail Photo Monograph No 14, Kittyhawk I/IA, by Pawel Sembrat published by Rossagraph
P-40 in Action, Aircraft No 26, by Ernie McDowell published by Squadron Signal

Click here for additional images for this review.

SUMMARY
Hasegawa has recently launched a new series of Curtiss P-40 aircraft, and being the sharkmouth fanatic, I had to get them. In my quest to better the kit, I was delighted to see that Ultrcast has released some beautifully rendered resin seats without any harnesses.
  CASTING QUALITY:50%
  EASE OF USE:90%
  VALUE:80%
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:48
  Mfg. ID: 48151
  Suggested Retail: 7.95USD
  Related Link: Manufacturer's Website
  PUBLISHED: Nov 16, 2005
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.68%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.47%

About Saúl García (sharkmouth)
FROM: NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

I collect references on unusual markings and small armies. I am particularly interested in captured & exported vehicles used in combat.

Copyright ©2021 text by Saúl García [ SHARKMOUTH ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.


   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • 0MVC-008F
  • 0MVC-010F
  • 0MVC-011F
ADVERTISEMENT