Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/48 MH-53J Pave Low Cockpit Set

Product # CEC48032 for $21.99

Product Article by Steve Filak on Nov 17, 2005

 

 

 

Here's a review of the MH-53J Pave Low Cockpit set by Cutting Edge Modelworks.  This set is designed, along with the MH-53 Pave Low Weapons Set, to convert the Revell-Monogram 1/48 CH-53 to the MH-53 Pave Low special operations helicopter used by the US Air Force.  Combine these two sets with the Cobra Company MH-53 Exterior Conversion Set, and you'll have an accurate MH-53J to add to your collection.

WHAT YOU GET:

Unless my count is off, you get 20 resin cast parts to bring the cockpit up the Pave Low standards.  The set provides a replacement cockpit floor, seats, armor panels, cyclic sticks, and the 'pizza rack' electronics set.  All are cast in the tradition gray Cutting Edge resin, with the exception of the seat armor panels, which are cast in a darker gray resin.  A full page instruction sheet is also provided.  My set arrived with just a little flash around a few of the parts, and I also noticed that the forward flanges on the replacement floor are very fragile.  Use care when handling this part....these flanges are not designed to be removed, from what I can tell.  The instructions are pretty comprehensive, and will guide you through the cockpit conversion step by step.

Detail of the parts is excellent, especially the instrument panels, and the electronics boxes in the 'pizza rack' assembly.  The only drawback to the set from what I can see is that the actual supports for the rack are not included.  Instead, Cutting Edge instructs you to cut four piece of "L" angle styrene to the proper height to make the shelving unit.  This isn't really a big deal considering the amount of sheet and strip styrene on my workbench, but it is worth noting, so that you know to pick some up ahead of time.  All in all, a very detailed set, and combined with the weapons set, will provide all of the updates to the interior of the aircraft to make an accurate MH-53J.  Once again, don't forget that you'll also need to purchase the Cobra Company exterior set to complete the conversion.  As always, I'd like to thank  Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

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Photos and text © by Steve Filak, Sr.