Review

This offering from MiniArt arrives in a cardboard tray, with a card lid. Inside the model parts are packaged in a single plastic bag. The instruction booklet is also in a plastic bag and is packaged along with the decals. Looking over the sprues I see no moulding issues to catch out the unwary the moulding quality is good. Sprue gates are a little of the larger size than I would have expected, but the quantity is not excessive. Your biggest risk here will be breaking fine parts during removal, or flicking away from you when you cut them free. If you have built the basic kit there will not be too much to surprise you. If my memory serves correctly you will find 1 new major sprue, and a photo etch fret. 

Starting with the office, you have a very nicely done seat, with photo etch harness detail that should meet most modellers requirements. No cockpit interior will ever meet the requirements of the purest, but I do however feel that what you get here will meet the needs of most and be a very good starting point for those who wish to take it further. One aspect that I would consider changing is the instrument panel, as this is detailed with decals and there are better options out there. The cockpit itself once assembled results in a self contained structure that the modeller will be pleased about as it is not going to be easily broken. 

One of the outstanding features of this aircraft is the huge radial engine. Taking a look at what MiniArt has provided here, and that is before you get to the application of any photo etch as the detail is moulded. The spinner gearbox (as I think of it) is very well detailed, moving backwards you get both banks of cylinders. The ignition harness and vented piston housings are done very well. The only photo etch that I have picked up on is the fire wall behind the engine, where I believe the fuel feeder lines are covered. One of the beauties of the model is that this engine can be fully displayed if so desired, and I do  not believe it will require extra help to do so. 

Internal wing structures obviously start with the main under carriage recesses. These are further added to via the gun bays and ammunition feeds. The details are a mix of mouldings and photo etch and I do feel that modellers who like to have hatches open where possible should be very pleased at what this model is offering. The only thing that you may possibly wish to alter are the main gun barrels, perhaps treating yourself with a set from Master, as their turned metal aircraft barrels are a thing of beauty. MiniArt has provided you with 2 tyres for the under carriage and these are weighted or un-weighted, they have also gone to the trouble of providing internal bomb bay detail. The wheel struts also have 2 options of weighted or unweighted and OLEO’s that are compressed or open - which is a nice touch. 

External detail is of a high standard with very well done recessed panel lines, that add life to the model. Flight control surfaces can be set as desired the prop is an unusual approach, as it is moulded in 2 parts and so when assembling make sure you glue the correct 2 faces together. The gun bay doors can be secured in an open position, as can the cockpit canopy. To finish off this lovely release from MiniArt you are provided with a choice of 3 different types of drop tank. The 108 gallon paper tank, the 200 gallon flat tank or the 150 gallon tank..

Offensive weaponry on top of the main guns for the use in attacking ground targets are as follows:

1.000 pound AN-M65 bomb, 1,000 pound AN-M59 bombs, 250 pound AN-M57 bomb, 500 pound AN-M58A1 bomb, 4.5 inch rocket launcher tubes, a combination of which will give you an interesting look of your own choice. I will be honest and say, I always like seeing these long range fighters with fuel drop tanks only. Stencils for the model are well covered in the instruction booklet, and as long as you mark them off as you add them I believe you will find life relatively easy. At the end of the instruction booklet there are a number of photographs covering the wing interiors and the engine and showing you how to add extra wiring detail.

MiniArt has provided 3 finishing options for this release:

62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, 8th  Air Force, July 1944  Pilot: Capt. Frederick Joseph Christianson Jnr

61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Figther Group, 8th Air Force, June 1944  Pilot: Lt.Col. Francis Stanley “Gabby” Gabreski

82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, The Duxford Eagles, 8th Air Force, Duxford, September 1944  Pilot: Capt. Ben Mayo

Conclusion

This offering from MiniArt does offer a good improvement over the base kit, for those modellers that like to show some of the guts of their models. The engine is a particularly well done aspect that I believe will more than meet the wants of the modeller. This is also true of the wheel bays. I have found it difficult to give an honest opinion of the gun bay details, as I cannot really get my head around what it is going to look like in the end. What is clear from this release is that MiniArt has a promising future where flying machines are concerned judging from this release.