Monday, January 23

Coming February - the F-111A crew escape module in 1/32 scale from Reskit...

We have long been promised a 1/32nd scale F-111 from a few sources with no results until now - at least a PART of the Aardvark will be released from Reskit. They are following on from their 48th scale cockpits with this full set of multimedia to create the escape capsule and stand. See more about it in our preview...


Coming February - the F-111A crew escape module in 1/32 scale from Reskit...

F-111A Escape Crew Module
From Reskit Models
1/32nd scale
Kit No RSK32-001
Plastic, resin, paint masks, photo-etch, decals & raised printed cockpit decals included in the kit.
The Subject: The F-111 Crew Escape Module
The development of the high-speed F-111 aircraft caused the need for an improved egress system. The ejectable crew module was designed to meet this need. The system provides maximum protection for the crewmembers throughout the aircraft performance envelope and includes capabilities for safe ejections at maximum speed and altitude as well as at zero altitude and 50 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). The module is self-righting, watertight, has flotation provisions, and provides protection for the crewmembers from environmental hazards met on land or water. A side-by-side crew arrangement facilitates safe and effective performance and allows crewmembers to work together and aid one another in performing mission tasks while still maintaining their forward visibility, which is an important factor in high-speed, low-level flights.

Pretty much all you need to know about the escape module is in this great video...
The crew module, when jettisoned, had to be watertight, self-righting, floating and provide protection for the crew members from environment hazards on land or water. When crew action the jettisoning, a single large parachute reduces speed for the descent and on landing, an airbag system cushions the impact. It could also serve as a survival shelter for the crew until a rescue could be mounted.

F-111 Crew Module on display at the Caboolture Warplane Museum.

The new set from Reskit:
Reskit has made a complete cockpit for the 1/48th scale F-111 in the past. Resin and #D decals in those smaller kits have now made way for this, the larger 1/32nd scale kit with the whole enchilada. Not only resin, but many other parts we will go through one by one...
The complete internal and external cockpit is seen in CAD, showing the detail promised in the upcoming module kit.
Colour instructions with painting guides are included.
The plastic injection moulded kits for the kit includes a clear canopy and a stand to house your module...
Detailed 3D printed parts like this canopy hood section (upside down here) is included in the kit.
Raised 3D printed decals are presented to be stuck to the instrument placards. These make for a very detailed and fuss-free cockpit.
Decals for the outsides of the aircraft and stencilling, masks for painting the cockpit frames, photo-etch for the thinner aspects of the module and those 3D printed decals again give us an idea of the parts in the kit that are not resin or plastic.
3D printed seats (are these still called ejection seat we wonder?) and flight controls are included.
Canopy frame, bulkheads, floors and instrument panel covers are all made in 3D printed resin.
Complete with a nameplate, the finished article looks great in CAD. We are thinking a lot of modellers are buying a spare one of these "just in case..." if you know what we mean...
You can see more of this kit and purchase these if you like them directly from the Res-Kit Website...