1:48 Vampire FB.5

What the set is about

Photo-etched parts in 1:48 scale intended for a model of the de Havilland Vampire FB.5 aircraft. The elements are etched from thin sheet, so they have a real thickness that cannot be achieved with injection-molded plastic, and on a model they look finer than plastic substitutes.

The real subject

The Vampire was a British first-generation jet fighter with a short fuselage nacelle and a pair of tail booms. It was powered by a single jet engine and, against later types, it was a simple and light aircraft. The FB.5 version was the fighter-bomber one and belonged among the most widespread variants of the type; it flew with the Royal Air Force and with a number of foreign operators.

Building tips

Separate the parts from the fret with a sharp blade on a hard surface rather than by breaking them out, because otherwise the thin sheet will bend. Run the bends over a sharp edge or in a bender, ideally in one movement. Super glue applied in a tiny amount with a pin suits for gluing. Before painting, wash and degrease the sheet and use a primer, because ordinary paint holds poorly on smooth metal. The placement of the individual parts and the order of work is described in the manufacturer's instructions.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who want to raise the level of detail on a Vampire model beyond the contents of the kit. Photo-etched sets are drawn to the outlines of a particular model, so check before building which kit in 1:48 scale you want to use it with.

The package contains photo-etched parts. A model, paints and glue are not part of it, unless stated otherwise.