Reviewed by Brett Green
 

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

One of the frustrations about jet kits is the engineering of jet intakes. Intakes are almost always supplied in multiple parts due to the limitations of the injection moulding process. This usually means a very visible joining seam on the inside of the intake that is almost impossible to remove.

Cutting Edge Modelworks has released several seamless replacement jet intakes in resin over the last five years or so. I have used one of these earlier sets on my Hasegawa 1/48 scale A-4K Skyhawk. The intakes had a big impact on the model and were quite easy to install.

In the meantime, Cutting Edge's seamless intakes have become more detailed and more comprehensive.

The latest release is for Tamiya's 1/32 scale F-4 Phantom kits. These are large models with very prominent jet intakes.

Cutting Edge's seamless intake set is, in fact, a very simple replacement comprising only two large parts - one for each fuselage side.

Installation could not be easier. The new seamless intake is supplied almost ready to use with no casting block. The big intake simply clips to the Tamiya splitter plate and intake fan.

The parts are cast in white resin. One of the other challenging tasks associated with intakes is spraying the deep interiors of the ducting, especially as the standard colour of this area is white. White is difficult to spray evenly and with solid coverage at the best of times, but these tight quarters make things very difficult indeed. The white resin makes painting this area much easier, if the modeller decides to paint inside the intake at all!

Cutting Edge's seamless intakes are a worthwhile addition to any jet model. It is great to see Tamiya's big F-4 Phantom family added to the exclusive, but growing list of models to receive the CE Seamless treatment!

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Cutting Edge Modelworks for the review sample

Images and Text Copyright © 2007 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 07 February, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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