1:48 British Wicker Perforated Back - Sort and Tall With Small Leather Pad

The real subject

Wicker seats belonged to the equipment of British aircraft from the time of the First World War and from the years just after it. A weave of wicker was light, springy and easy to repair, which made sense on machines with a wooden and fabric structure. The back tended to be pierced or perforated so as to lose weight, and a small leather pad complemented it in the place where the pilot leaned his back. It is precisely the seat that tends to be the most conspicuous internal element in an open cockpit, because it is visible from above as well as from the side.

What the set contains

A set of seats with a wicker weave and a perforated back in 1:48 scale, and that according to the name in the low as well as the tall form and with a small leather pad. The exact number of pieces and the dimensions are stated by the manufacturer. The set is intended as a replacement for the part from the kit, whose weave tends to be merely suggested.

Building and painting tips

• Cut the surplus material off with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the remainder down carefully.
• The parts are not polystyrene, so secure the joints with cyanoacrylate glue.
• Wash and degrease the seat before painting, otherwise the paint will not hold on the surface.
• The weave stands out once a dark shade is applied into the recesses and a dry brush is passed along the edges.
• Paint the leather pad differently from the wicker, otherwise it will merge with the weave.

Who it is for

The set suits a modeler who is building a British aircraft with an open cockpit and wants to have a part inside that will take a look from close up. Given the size of the part it pays to devote time to the painting, because it is precisely on the weave that the difference between quick and careful work shows. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.