Messerschmitt Me 163 B
One-Piece Canopy
and Mask Set

for the new Meng kit

Alley Cat, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Revell's 1/32 scale Bf 109 G-6 is available online from Squadron.com

One of the few potential perils that I mentioned in my initial review of Meng's 1/32 scale Messerschmitt Me 163 B was related to their two-piece canopy.

The canopy of the Me 163 is very prominent, and Meng chose to mould the clear bubble section separately from the surrounding canopy frame. This presents a number of challenges:

1. Avoid smearing glue on the clear part when you are attaching the parts, and

2. Avoid seeing the glue / join through the clear part after the two parts have been joined.

Alley Cat now offers a risk-free way to avoid both of these dangers.

Alley Cat's one-piece clear resin canopy has the bubble and the frame moulded as one piece. Quality is excellent, with subtle rivet detail on the frame and the small rectangular hatch cast in place on the clear section.

My sample is completely free from distortion and is quite clear straight from its packet, but a bath in Future floor polish will really make it shine.

The single part is cast onto a strip that runs around the the back of the canopy frame. This should be fairly easy to remove by repeated light scoring with a sharp hobby knife.

A self-adhesive mask is also provided. This includes die-cut masks fornthe canopy, the forward armoured glass, the two clear windows in the rear bulkhead, and the armoured quarter windows behind the pilot.

Alley Cat's Me 163 B Canopy set is a simple and very useful upgrade for anyone building Meng;s kit.

Recommended.

Thanks to A2Zee Models for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2014 by Brett Green
Page Created 10 April, 2014
Last updated 10 April, 2014

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