Introduction

Your flight line gets thirsty so gas up your 1/48 'planes and support vehicles with this 100 Gallon Fuel Cart by Plus Model. This resin and metal kit, item AL4076, is part of their Aero Line range of kits.

The Kit

Cast in light gray resin and accompanied by photo-etched and other metal parts, this kit features good casting free of sink holes, air pocks, and mold seams. It does have some minor flash.

The parts are cast to fine tolerances. So fine, that some of the thin dainty parts separated from their pour block, or broke off from their main piece.

I counted 40 parts:

Resin X 21
Photo-etch x 17
Soft metal line x 1
Firm metal line x 1

A nice decal sheet is included.

Plus Model appears to be trying to true-scale this kit. Many parts are very thin or small. Finesses should be used when handling the pieces. Wire is used for the main wheels axle. I did not find any wire in the kit except for the two lengths mentioned above. One piece is very big for an axle, and the other is so soft that I wonder how well it will work?

Detail

By parts count the tow handle and connection looks to be a kit unto itself. Very tiny parts are used.

Casting creates fine detail on past. I think this kit could be considered as super-detailed due to the number of individual parts that could have been combined by Plus Model and cast a a single component.

Decals and instructions

The instruction sheet is a cleanly printed and illustrated line art exploded diagram. Each piece is identified and numbered except for two tiny parts for the hinge connecting the drawbar to the cart.

The decals are sharply printed and appear thin, without excess carrier film. The ink is opaque and the larger lettering is legible.

The painting guide is simple: "Complete cart is red." I suppose they expect you to know to paint the tires a rubber color?

Conclusion

Modelers of modern 1/48 airfield scenes should welcome this model. It features a high level of detail and commendable casting. The p/e fret is great. Except for dealing with some tiny fragile parts, the model should go together easily. The decals look very good.

Nothing is perfect and this kit suffers from some flash. The fine tiny parts are easy to break.

Regardless, Plus Model's 100 Gallon Fuel Cart should build up into an eye catching model for your ramp and apron. Recommended.