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Waldron ¶¶¶¶¶ Reviewed by This review covers another
Waldron Model Accessories item, this time the P-38 cockpit placards
and details set. In the same vein of the P-47 set,
Spitfire
and others from this famous accessory manufacturer. As usual, most
data plates of the cockpit are printed in black and red in high detail
on a light aluminum sheet. Also included is the instrument dials on
a transparent film (this stuff seems to be included only on later
Waldron releases), resin boxes and photoetched details.
This cockpit detail set
consists of much more parts than most single engine fighters, and
most instruments are dual (one for each engine). This is reflected
in the instructions, consisting of 20 (!) pages showing how to install
every item and scratchbuilt the parts not supplied. The instructions
are almost a technical manual... Of course there is an intensive reference
to Waldron´s Punch & Die Set. As long as I was able to check,
this set is correct for P-38J-15 and on, but I think only a few modifications
are necessary to represent reasonably most versions of the P-38, is
you desire so, of course.
The black printed placards
are very sharply done, and it is possible to read every single item
using a magnifying glass. As usual with Waldron accessories, you
have to cut very carefully each item and glue it to the correct
position. There´s no spares, so take your time here...  The black printed placards and consoles. The set also brings some red printed consoles and a couple of dry transfer stencils. The later is printed by Archer Fine Transfers, and will surely add a lot to the finished cockpit.
The instruments dials are
printed in the same way Waldron´s
Japanese instrument dials. They are perfectly readable
and will give a formidable touch to the finished panel. However, you
must do a very accurate job when punching out the openings of the
black printed template in order to match both.
The P-38J-25
control panel (from the E&M manual). Radio boxes, switch boxes
and other tridimensional parts are supplied as resin items. They will
save a lot of scratchbuilding time (if you have already attempted
to make perfectly squared, rounded corner boxes you know what I mean).
Read carefully the instructions, as each one of these boxes has its
own placard to be glued on.
The photoetch parts are
addressed mainly for the armor plate and the pedestal on which the
engine
I wouldn't recommend this detail set to
anyone with limited experience. It is not an easy thing to use and,
as I mentioned before, there are no spares. When correctly used, Waldron
accessories are, in a word, spetacular. I would prefer a photoetched
panel with the instrument holes in their correct positions, but still
there´s no manufacturer rivaling these sets as for now. No matter
you are going to use the old Revell or the new Trumpeter P-38, this
set will really add interest to their cockpits. Ordering Waldron products is through mail
or phone only, and no credit cards are accepted at the time of this
review. While that may lack convenience for the Internet buyer the
quality of the set is worth the extra effort. Highly recommended for anyone planning a 1/32 P-38. © Rato Marczak 2004 |
