1:32 Douglas A-26C Invader seatbelts STEEL

Douglas A-26C Invader - STEEL photo-etched belts 1:32 from Eduard

This item is not an aircraft kit but a detail accessory. It contains photo-etched seat belts for the cockpit in 1:32 scale, made of steel and supplied in a color finish, so they do not have to be repainted. Steel sheet holds its shape after being bent considerably better than brass: a belt can be draped naturally over a seat and will stay the way you bend it. The number of belts and the range of buckles in the package are stated on the packaging.

The real subject

The Douglas A-26 Invader was a twin-engine attack and bomber aircraft of the end of the Second World War. The A-26C version differed from the earlier variant in its glazed nose with a bombardier's position in place of the solid nose section with armament. The aircraft was distinguished by its high speed for its category and by a long service life, which continued for many years after the war.

Usage tips

Cut the belts out of the fret with a sharp scalpel on a cutting surface, because twisting deforms the etch. Make the bends in a bending tool or between two blades so that the edge is crisp. They are best glued in spots with slow-setting cyanoacrylate glue or with a glue for photo-etch; ordinary plastic glue will not hold here. Protect the colored side from sanding dust and, if you wish, fix the finished detail with a light matte varnish. Fit the belts only after the seat has been finished and painted, not before.

Who the accessory is for

• Modelers building this subject in 1:32 scale who want a faithful cockpit
• Builders with an open cockpit, where the belts are visible
• Anyone interested in raising the level of detail quickly without painting photo-etch
• Those who already have experience of working with photo-etched parts

The accessory is supplied on its own, without a kit. Glue, paints and tools are not included in the package.