Quinta Studio 1/48 P-51D-5 Mustang Interior 3D Decal Set First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

If you're not yet aware of Quinta Studios, they produce a growing array of aftermarket detail sets for a variety of subjects in 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32. This set is especially interesting as it is designed for the recent Eduard 1/48 P-51D-5 Mustang kit, which naturally offers a ton of aftermarket options for the kit because that is what Eduard does. So despite all of the aftermarket details just for the cockpit produced by Eduard, here is a simple detail set consisting of color 3D-printed parts provided on decal film.

This set includes the main instrument panel, subpanel, side panels, throttle details, trim wheel, and other decals including seatbelt and shoulder harness, all for a price less than Eduard's own seatbelt set. Even their T-Face instrument panel doesn't have the fine 3D relief detail of the switches, etc. I'm liking this less expenive and easy-to-use option of dressing up the Eduard cockpit!

So how do these work? They are waterslide decals and all you need to do is cut out the part you want to apply before dropping it into water. Quinta Studio advises that these are best applied to pre-painted surfaces for better adhesion, and in this set, most of the decals go onto flat surfaces (you need to remove the molded-on details), so there shouldn't be a problem. They also advise NOT to use decal-setting or softening solution with these detail sets as the chemicals will damage the resin-printed materials. For the more complex surfaces like getting the pilot restraints onto the seats, they advise using a gloss clear like Future or Tamiya X22 on the surface of the parts to act as a supplemental adhesive. A drop of cyano at key points of each strap also works well.

The good news is that HobbyZone USA has this set in stock.

My sincere thanks to HobbyZone USA for this review sample!