This is the new 1/48
resin cockpit for the old Monogram F-105G. The masters for this set were done by
Master Modeller Mike Kirchoff. The set consists of 34 pieces of the
typical cream coloured resin common to all Black Box sets. The part that
really stands out in this set is the cockpit tub when compared to the kit
parts. Unlike some Monogram cockpit tubs with good detail...the F-105 kit
has very faint side panel detail in the cockpit tub.
The kits seat is also
not a match for the detail laddened work of perfection Mike Kirchoff has created
for this Black Box set. The seats in this plane are a complicated affair
requiring 6 resin pieces per seat. Another lovely point about the seats is
they both have different placement of their seat belts....always a nice touch
when the seats aren't copies of each other. The instrument panel in this Black Box set is
beautiful and well worth it and is the exact same size as the kit instrument
panel so swapping them should be easy. One minor area of concern is the
fit of the seats in the cockpit tub. Both seats measures 12.3 mm wide....where as the cockpit
tub opening for the front and rear seats measures 11.5 mm wide. So the seats
are .8mm too
wide. This was no doubt caused by slightly soft resin cockpit tub being
removed from the molds a bit early and the tubs getting pinched a bit during
their removal from the mold. PLEASE do not sand the seat to make it
fit. Simply hold the cockpit tub upside down over a steam kettle (careful
not to burn yourself with the steam) for 10 or 15 seconds or however long it
takes to soften the resin...then carefully widen the seat opening in the cockpit
tub by .8mm a reasonably tiny amount.
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instrument
panel......about twice the size of my thumbnail |
The sidewall detail on the Monogram kit is
pathetic at best...the detail in this Black Box set will greatly improve this
area as well....same can be said for the rudder pedals and control stick.
Yup...this set is a huge improvement over all the kit parts for the cockpit.
Now all we need is for Revell/Monogram to re-release their F-105G, but I'm sure
this will eventually happen.
Steve Bamford
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Cockpit
tub....loaded with detail
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(click on pictures below to bring up
full screen pictures)
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Forward part of cockpit tub
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Rear
part of cockpit tub |
Two
seats |
Rear
instrument panel |
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Front instrument cover and
parts for the seats
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Sidewall
details |
Misc
pieces |
Front
and rear center
Console |