Have you ever installed a resin cockpit in a state-of-the-art model? It sure looks good, doesn’t it? But then what do you do with the “in-the-box” cockpit? It’s a state-of-the-art kit, after all, so the cockpit looks pretty good. Here’s what I do: I use it as an “aftermarket” cockpit for a not so state-of-the-art model. Older models are usually accurate in shape and surface detail but often lack interior detail. For example, you fit a Tamiya P-51D with a resin cockpit. Then you can use the Tamiya cockpit in an Otaki P-51D and dress up a Testors P-51D with the hand-me-down Otaki cockpit. (Just like when you were a kid and got a T-shirt from an older sibling!) Usually, some trimming is needed – but we are modelers! True, this idea only works if you have several models of the same airplane in your stash. But who doesn’t?

Tip submitted by:
Pablo BauleoFort Collins, Colorado