Airscale 1/48 Modern Jet Instruments Decal First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Airscale from the UK produces a series of instrument face decals and has recently expanded their range as you can see here. In this release, we have typical instrument faces and displays that you'd find in modern fighter aircraft. The instruments include Horizontal Situation Indicators (HSI), altimeters, artificial horizons, instrument landing system (ILS)/TACAN, turn and bank indicators, gyro compasses, engine pressure/RPM, engine temperatures, radar warning, and more. In addition, there are a variety of multi-function displays (MFD) of different shapes and screen colors provided. They also provide the MFD screens without the surrounding bezels/buttons so you can develop your own MFD types using the screens and the variety of bezel/button frame sections below. In addition to the decal sheet, this release also provides a small sheet of clear acetate.

To use this set, simply prepare your instrument panel as desired, paint the wells of each instrument white (preferably gloss so the decal can set on the surface), then punch out a clear disk from the acetate with a Waldron punch set to create the instrument glass. The acetate can be placed with a drop of Future or other gloss clear finish. What would also help with modern cockpits would be modern placards and warnings, and Airscale has also released that set which we will examine soon.

With the advent of color-printed photo-etched parts from Eduard, many folks simply wait for Eduard to get around to doing a detail set for their subject, but here is a nice alternative where you can add the three-dimensional detail (knobs, switches, etc.) to your instrument panel and then place these instruments into the faces to complete that masterpiece look.

You can order this set at HobbyZone USA.

My sincere thanks to HobbyZone USA for this review sample!