1:48 Mitsubishi Ki-21-I seatbelts STEEL

Eduard 1:48 Mitsubishi Ki-21-I seatbelts STEEL

This is a photo-etched add-on set of safety belts from the Czech manufacturer Eduard, not an airplane kit. The set is rendered in 1:48 scale and according to the name it belongs to the STEEL line, that is belts made of steel. Steel sheet holds a shape considerably better than softer materials, so a belt can be bent convincingly, draped over the edge of a seat and left to hang freely. This detail decides whether a cockpit comes across as alive or empty.

The real subject

The Mitsubishi Ki-21 was a twin-engine bomber of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, known to the Allies under the code name Sally. It entered service in the second half of the 1930s, went through combat over China and in the first years of the war in the Pacific it was among the main types of the Japanese bomber force. The Ki-21-I designation corresponds to the early production series, which differed from the later machines in powerplants as well as in the arrangement of the defensive armament. The extensive glazing and the room for a numerous crew make the interior a clearly visible part of a model.

Working with photo-etched belts

Separate the parts with a sharp knife on a hard surface, never break them out by twisting. Shaping works best with smooth-jawed tweezers over a soft support, as the belt then takes a natural curve instead of a fold at a sharp edge. For attaching, super glue applied in a minimal amount or a glue that dries clear works well. Work in good light, with a magnifier and over a surface from which a tiny part can be picked up again.

Who the set is for

• modelers who want to bring out the interior of a Japanese bomber
• builders with experience of photo-etched parts
• those interested in Japanese army aviation of the Second World War
• collectors of aircraft models in 1:48 scale