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Built Review
124
1:24 Sutton QK
1/24 Sutton QK Harness in paper and photo etch
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by: Andrew Moore [ LORDDERFEL ]

R. B. Productions have released a new detail harness which is simply superb. Following a different approach to the photo etched brass varieties, this has etched brass buckles and fittings (including every eyelet ring) and paper straps. This lends itself to a very realistically handling harness that can fold and drape just like the real thing.

The harness takes a lot of assembly but the instructions are very clear. The paper straps are die cut and peel from a protective backing. The eyelets need to be individually cut from the carrier frame and are extremely small and are easily lost but there are more than you need so losing a few is OK! A steady hand, good eyesight and a good magnifying glass are a must. The instructions say to use a damp small brush for the eyelets, I found two cocktail sticks were better. Each eyelet consists of 2 rings, one for each side of the strap so be prepared for a long assembly time. I found UHU ideal for glueing these onto the straps.

Once the eyelets are secure, the buckles and rings need to be fitted and this is again fiddly and time consuming. Again they have to be cut fro the frame which is easy with a sharp knife then the problems start: try holding something this small in your tweezers and then filing the sharp bits off! When ready, the paper straps fit into the metal rings exactly as the real fabric straps did. You can even adjust their length.

Wear and tear can be added, the instructions recommend the use of pastels for this. I'm not sure this is necessary. However, stitching can be added with very careful use of a pencil ( I would recommend a 0.3mm propelling variety).

The paper seems a little stiff at first but the actual handling during assembly softens this and naturally adds wear. If you want, you could varnish the whole harness when complete but I do not think this is at all necessary unless you want to handle it regularly.

The level of detail is very good on all etched parts as you would expect. The paper straps at first seem wrong (because they are paper) but they behave more like the real thing than their brass counterparts. They fold realistically and although I haven't yet fitted them permanently into either my Hawker Hurricane or Spitfire (both in mid build) I know they will drape beautifully and add to the realism of the cockpit.

conclusion
These really are the Rolls Royce of harnesses and I will be getting more of these as needed as there are many different models and scales available for many different aircraft.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Terrific realism including the way they drape and fold.Adjustable and highly detailed.
Lows: over 6 hours to assemble due to the many tiny and easily lost parts.
Verdict: A terrific way to add great detail to your 1:24 Allied aircraft.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:24
  Mfg. ID: Model: RB-P24001
  Suggested Retail: €5.50
  Related Link: RB Productions 1:24 Sutton Harness QK type
  PUBLISHED: Jan 16, 2011
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 92.50%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 93.70%

About Andrew Moore (lordderfel)
FROM: ENGLAND - WEST MIDLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM

Copyright ©2021 text by Andrew Moore [ LORDDERFEL ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

Which British aircraft are these applicable to?
JAN 18, 2011 - 11:07 AM
The Sutton harness was fairly standard to most RAF fighters and some bombers. The set comes with 3 types of fittings to allow fitting into Spitfires,Hurricanes and Mosquitoes. Just remember that as there were so many versions of the Spitfire, the later ones did change their fitting slightly so make sure you do your research and get the right fitting where the top of the harness joins the airframe.
JAN 22, 2011 - 08:03 AM
So far, the only aircraft, that I've found, that didn't have them, were the IX/XVI/XIV with cutdown fuselages, and extra fuselage fuel tanks, in 1945, and the Tempest. Edgar
JAN 22, 2011 - 08:18 PM
Further to my review, I have realised I did not add a tip gleaned from having built 2 of these harnesses: do not add the small brass gromits to the holes in the straps until you have assembled the buckles etc. as the buckles can pull them off the straps during assembly. Many of the parts are extremely small and a good set of pointed tweezers are indispensable s is a good magnifying glass. I also found a set of dental probes on ebay for under a tenner and these proved excellent in holding the gromits through the hole in the middle. Hope this helps anyone considering purchasing these amazing harnesses; by the way, there are several other harnesses of similar construction from RB in other scales; modern and historical aircraft included. Andy
JAN 23, 2011 - 08:00 AM
   
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