1:24 USAAF Fighter Seat Belt Set. Full Colour 3D

The real subject

The belts strapping the pilot into his seat are among the first things visible in an open cockpit. On American fighters of the Second World War it was a system of a lap belt and shoulder straps with a buckle on the chest. In kits these belts are either suggested only by relief on the seat or missing altogether, and in 1:24 scale their absence shows at once.

What the set contains

The package carries full-color seat belts in 1:24 scale with a raised surface, so the straps and the fittings look three-dimensional and you do not have to paint them in laboriously with a brush. The exact number of sets on the sheet and the list of fittings is not stated here, so follow the illustration and the enclosed instructions.

Building and painting tips

First check in the instructions how the items are applied: if they are self-adhesive, soaking would ruin them. Prepare the seat in advance so that the surface is clean, degreased and smooth. Lay the belts so that they drape naturally over the edge of the seat and do not end in mid-air.

• A strap benefits from being bent lightly over a blunt tool, which gives it a natural sag.
• Trim excess length with a sharp blade, not by tearing.
• Finish and varnish the cockpit before you seat the belts in place.
• Let the loose ends of the belts lie across the seat rather than stretched out straight.

Who it is for

The set is for builders in large scales who want the cockpit finished without painting tiny straps. The package holds the seat belts only. The model, the seat, the paints and the glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.