Lap belts ad shoulder harness set ups became standard issue on aircraft early in WWI. These were sometimes made from leather or most often leather and canvas combinations. The standard issue on all Royal Aircraft Factory SE 5a fighters was the lap and shoulder straps. Surviving examples of these aircraft types are fortunately still available.
Accessory Contents
22 microtextile straps of various lenths.
14 Photoetch pieces.
The mircotextile straps appear to be a type of paper with a light fabric weave on the backside. These have to be cut out individually with very sharp razor blade (Xacto #11) chucked into a handle. Using an optivisor helps you get the cuts very clean. 1 straps per set and 3 harness fittings (PE) make up into a great representation of scale harness belts.
It is critical that you follow the kit instructions provided. These come in the form an image of a completed set. Colour coordinations for parts are red and yellow. Extra parts are included incase you mis-step.
My first set took me 35 minutes to complete. The yellow straps representing canvas straps.
There is not enough material for a second complete set. Sets are exactly the same pattern except for the colouring. Note use only Cyanoacrylate - Super Glue.
My experience taught me to nip the corners of the straps on each side at the ends to narrow the strap slightly. These help you slide on the anchor ends. These are triangles with pegs for the lap belts and triangles with peg ends. (You insert the peg end through a hole you drill in the kit structure tube for the seat support,
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SUMMARY
Highs: Highly detailed parts that build up nicely with effort.Lows: Not for beginners that have little patience, optivisor and sharp blades.Verdict: Deliberate patience is a virtue here to get it right. But well worth the effort.
Our Thanks to HGW! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Stephen T. Lawson (JackFlash) FROM: COLORADO, UNITED STATES
I was building Off topic jet age kits at the age of 7. I remember building my first WWI kit way back in 1964-5 at the age of 8-9. Hundreds of 1/72 scale Revell and Airfix kits later my eyes started to change and I wanted to do more detail. With the advent of DML / Dragon and Eduard I sold off my ...
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