1:72 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 in field conditions, which made good sense on machines with a wooden frame and fabric covering. The back tended to be pierced so as to lose weight, and in the place where the pilot leaned his back a small leather pad complemented it. In an open cockpit the seat is visible from above as well as from the side and tends to be the most conspicuous internal component.

What the set contains

Seats with a wicker weave and a perforated back in 1:72 scale, according to the name in the low as well as the tall form and with a small leather pad. They replace the part from the kit, on which the weave tends to be merely suggested. The exact number of pieces and the dimensions are stated by the manufacturer.

Building and painting tips

• In 1:72 scale the part is very small, so work over a mat and pick it up with tweezers.
• 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 coat will not hold.
• The weave stands out once a dark shade is rubbed into the recesses and a dry brush is passed along the edges.

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 with a fully detailed weave of the kind that cannot be imitated by hand at this scale. Given the size of the part it pays to paint it still before it is set into the fuselage. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.