Buccaneer Resin Cockpit Set

NeOmega

Reviewed by Phil Brandt
Obtained through Linden Hill Imports

It's all in the details.

The problem starts with my choice of aircraft models, which could be charitably described as out of the mainstream. Demons, Skysharks, Gannets, Wyverns, birds of the former Evil Empire; Bondo don't play P-51 or Me-109!

Since most aftermarket resin firms are not going to invest righteous bucks on detail sets for these obscure subjects, I usually scarf up the first applicable Eduard PE set that hits the street, figuring that's all there's ever going to be. Then I'll read in SAM or SAMI that the Blokes, playing catchup, have come out with an improved, but still labor intensive, PE set--BTW, don't'cha get tired straining your eyes drilling out PE consoles to add knobs, etc. for "definition" that's already there in resin offerings?-- and again I fork out the green. With luck, and usually much later, gifs mit der really good 3D resin stuff....such as Neomega's cockpit for the Airfix Buc kit, a kit that was first pumped out, what, three years ago? The eagle flies again, and by now I could've bought three Tamigawa kits of this bird...if only they made one.

Curious about the quality of the Russian startup firm's offerings, I first ordered their resin set for the atrociously plain DML 1/72 Fencer cockpit. Spoiled by the overall excellence of KMC, Cutting Edge and Aires, I was prepared to be disappointed. Not so. Neomega's set was surprisingly well-detailed and, unlike some other brands, snapped right in without Dremelling. Guy Holroyd of Lindenhill Imports sez that fit is a prime concern at Neomega.

Bottom Line: Neomega's outstanding rendition of the complex Buccaneer cockpit shows this longtime modeller that they are now easily running with, and exceeding in certain respects, some of the big dogs. The wealth and fineness of detail, showcased by sharp component definition and excellent casting quality are a joy to behold and make the detail level in some of the competition's offerings seem lighter. I've spent an hour poring over my Buc references: the Linewright and Warpaint monographs. The intricate, seemingly haphazard instrument subconsoles and forest of exposed wiring bundles and tubes in the real Buccaneer cockpit are realistically done by Neomega's master modelers, and that adds up to what Bondo likes best in his cockpit sets: "busy-ness."

Resin sets usually carry the unmistakeable style of the artist. One characteristic of the Neomega releases seems to be an ever so slight roughness of surface finish, perhaps emphasized by the reflective medium blue resin surface, as opposed to the light beige resin used by many other producers. Since Bondo has never flown in a pristine cockpit--well, maybe X-country to a static display--he gives very high marks to this style 'cause it's how most well-used military airplanes are. Sometime I'll tell ya how the flight deck of a C-133 looks after the whole crew's been scarfing pistachios and sunflower seeds on a twelve-hour leg...or about the grease- smeared stick, throttles and knobs in your Aardvark after the two of you, feet up on the consoles, finish fried chicken at FL340 while deploying to Alaska.

Anyhoo, the modeler receives a large two-seat tub chock full of more consoles than one could ever want. Four side panels (you're gonna have to wipe out those gigantic Airfix structural frames), two main instrument panels, two seats, a large dividing bulkhead, pilot's instrument panel shroud and at least four much smaller components. Preliminary dry fit seems to be right on the mark..

Ejection seat detail (mucho) compares very well with other aftermarket Buc seats, with fineness of detail in the Russian offering slightly better, IMO...but we're really getting nitpicky here. The seats do not come with the dual face curtain ejection handles; you'll have to use the Airfix ones, which aren't bad.

The only constructive criticism that I would offer is to please include some form of instructions, at least a rudimentary, non-text sheet identifying parts and locations. I was hard pressed to identify a couple of the aforementioned tiny components, but the Linewright's pics saved the day (Editors note - NeOmega sets sold in the UK include diagrams and instructions).

In a large, tandem seat 1/48 aircraft model, the cockpit is always a center of attention, a defining statement by the modeler. Fans of this famous Brit bird are indeed fortunate that Neomega has chosen to create such a significant embellishment to the Airfix kit. Together with appropriate PE exterior detail sets, Ed McMahon would say, "You, too, could be a winner." Bondo's thumbs are pointing skyward.

Neomega's Website can be found at http://www.modelspot.com/neomega/neomegahome.htm

Review Copyright © 1998 by Phil Brandt
This Page Created on 07 January, 1999.
Last updated 22 July, 2003.

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