The Little World

A model aircraft cockpit can be a highlight of the build or it can be a pit of cocks. It is all dependent upon the skill of the kit moulders and their level of interest.

The classic Airfix or Monogram cockpit that consisted of two posts running horizontally inside and a seat that straddled them ( or a pilot figure that did without the seat…) were an invitation to either scratch-build your own or close the canopy and put cement fingerprints over it so no-one could see inside.

The other end of the spectrum – the custom moulded after-market cockpit bucket with the four sheets of photo-etched brass to provide every switch and control – is the favourite of the cashed-up who compete to see who can be most insane without actually being locked up.

This kit has a middle ground – there is a resin-cast tub and a resin-cast seat with harnesses moulded on. The dash panel is injected but they have not footled about with a decal for it. You paint it and dry-brush like the law intended you to do. I can only pray that it can be enclosed within the fuselage halves without interference or screaming.

The interesting thing when a resin seat is provided is the fact that a resin pilot could just as easily have been moulded into that seat. The Czech firms also mould model soldier figures so they could have turned this one over to their figure modeller for a master.

Or – gasp – mould an empty seat as well as a full one and let us make the choice!