1:48 A-10C Thunderbolt II seatbelts STEEL

Pre-painted photo-etched belts 1:48 A-10C Thunderbolt II seatbelts STEEL (Eduard)

This set from the Czech manufacturer Eduard contains the seat belts for a model of the A-10C Thunderbolt II in 1:48 scale. It belongs to the smaller pre-painted photo-etched range, which means the parts come printed in color from the factory and you do not have to paint them laboriously with a brush. It is neither an aircraft model nor a complete interior set, but a targeted accessory for the cockpit.

Why steel of all things

The word STEEL in the name refers to the carrier material, which is steel sheet instead of the usual brass. Steel is springier and holds the shape of a bend far better. A belt therefore stays exactly where you put it after bending and does not spring back flat. That is precisely what matters with seat belts, because the natural sag of a belt is what sells the realism in a cockpit.

Usage tips

Separate the belts from the fret with a scalpel, not with cutters. Shape them gradually over something round, for instance over a drill shank or the round handle of a pair of tweezers, so that the belt takes a soft curve and does not look like a flat strip. Bend the buckles with smooth-jawed tweezers, so that the printing does not get scratched. They are glued spot by spot with cyanoacrylate, really just a drop on the tip of a toothpick. Do not use aggressive thinners on the printed surface; they dissolve the color. A final matte clear coat will bring the sheen of the belts into line with the rest of the interior.

Who the belts are for

• modelers building the A-10C Thunderbolt II in 1:48 scale
• those who want a realistic cockpit without laborious painting of small parts
• builders for whom plastic or decal belts are not enough
• beginners in working with photo-etch, because the painting is done away with

The set is an accessory for the cockpit of a model. The model itself is not included in the package.