1:48 British Phantom FGR.1 cockpit set

Aires British Phantom FGR.1 cockpit set 1:48 - a resin cockpit

This is a detailed resin set of the two-seat cockpit, not an aircraft model. The set replaces the cockpit from a plastic kit with a more faithful resin rendering, with instrument panels for both the front and the rear station, side consoles and frames. The FGR.1 designation corresponds to one of the British versions of the Phantom and differs in detail from the FGR.2 version, which Aires offers separately. The set is intended for more experienced modelers; fitting it usually calls for adapting the inner walls of the fuselage of the kit. The maker is Aires.

The real subject

The British Phantoms were derived from the American McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and, as their characteristic modification, received Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines. It was a two-seat supersonic machine in the roles of fighter, fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, and it served with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. The tandem arrangement of the two crew members is reflected in the pair of separate cockpits in this set.

Fitting and painting

Wash the parts to remove mold release residue, cut them off the casting blocks and glue them with super glue (cyanoacrylate). Protect your airways when sanding resin and keep the area ventilated. The cockpit is painted before the fuselage is closed; a fine wash and a dry brush on the raised elements will bring out the instrument panels and the consoles.

Who the set is for

• For advanced modelers building British Phantom kits in 1:48 scale.
• For those who want a faithful two-seat cockpit.
• For collectors of British Phantom versions.

This is a resin accessory for a kit, not an aircraft model. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.