1:48 Seatbelts RAF WWII type M for Spitfire

RAF type M seat belts for the Spitfire, a photo-etched set 1:48 (AML)

This photo-etched set from the Czech maker AML contains British type M seat belts of the Second World War period, intended for models of the Supermarine Spitfire fighter in 1:48 scale. It is one of the most effective upgrades that can be given to a Spitfire in 1:48.

Why it pays off

British fighters used a characteristic harness system with narrow straps and prominent metal items that is clearly visible in the open cockpit of a Spitfire. Kits in 1:48 scale, meanwhile, often leave the belts out altogether or deal with them as coarse relief. Thin photo-etch with the buckles drawn in gives the seat back its credibility, and because the canopy of a Spitfire is often left slid back on models, the viewer will look at the belts almost every time.

Work tips

In 1:48 scale the parts are small, so work with fine tweezers over a light-colored surface, so that parts that fly off can be found. Anneal the belts, shape them and glue them with tiny drops of super glue. Painting: a primer, a flat fabric shade for the straps, metal buckles, a dark wash and a gentle lightening of the edges. Fit the belts before the cockpit is closed up.

Who the set is for

• builders of Spitfires in 1:48 scale
• modelers of British RAF machines of the Second World War
• anyone interested in a quick improvement to a cockpit
• modelers with basic experience of photo-etch

This is a photo-etched accessory, not a kit of an aircraft. The exact number of parts on the fret follows the manufacturer's current release.