1:72 US FIGHTERS - SEATBELTS

US Fighters – seat belts 1:72 (HGW)

An accessory for the cockpits of models of American fighter aircraft of the World War II period in 1:72 scale. It is not a kit but a sheet of color-printed seat belts on decal paper. The set replaces coarse plastic belts cast onto the seat or etched parts that have to be laboriously shaped and painted. How many sets the sheet holds and which particular types it is cut for are not stated here – the guide is the enclosed instructions.

The real subject

American fighter aircraft of this era, from machines with radial engines to types with liquid-cooled inline engines, used a restraint system made up of a lap belt and shoulder straps with a central buckle. The straps were of strong woven material and both their shade and their arrangement changed during the course of the war, which is why the manufacturer offers this range in several color variants. In 1:72 scale it is one of the few interior details that is still clearly visible once the fuselage is closed.

How to use the set

First even the seat and the frame out with paint and go over them with gloss varnish. Cut the belt out close to the edge of the printing, soak it in warm water for a few seconds and lift it off the backing paper. Lay it down gradually, with a soft brush, and fine-tune the shape with decal softener – the belt will then stick even over the edge of the seat and over its rims. Once dry, fix it with matte varnish.

Who the set is for

• For builders of American fighters of World War II in 1:72 scale.
• For modelers who want color interior detail without working with metal.
• For a build with an open canopy or with the seat exposed.
• For those who build several models at once and are looking for a more universal sheet.

The package holds only the belts; a model of an airplane is not part of it. Paints, varnishes and decal softener are not enclosed, unless stated otherwise.