Superbug Models 1/32 Cockpit Detail Set for Special Hobby’s X-15 A1/A2 By Dave Flitton

When Special Hobby put out their X-15 reviewers raved at the thought that we finally had a proper replacement for the old Aurora kit, complete with resin goodies and excellent decals, until…., there is always that caveat, “until”, “except” “before..” , you know the one that comes when we start to actually look at what is in the box. Special Hobby’s X-15 is no exception. Superbug Models has provided an alternative to the rather plain cockpit that Special Hobby has provided.

The kit, and I use the word “kit” on purpose, comes in the typical light gray, highly detailed resin. Everything seems to be there, except in my case, the control stick. I was sure that the Special Hobby kit would have supplied a perfectly useable stick but this kit was supposed to have one. I contacted Superbug and in good time I received the control stick that was supposed to be in the box.

The seat has a lot of detail, especially the finely detailed harnesses that make this detail set a must-have when building the X-15. The harnesses and buckles are quite life-like and are a good match for the references that I collected off the internet.

The instrument panel is also finely detailed but it seems to be missing some toggle switches and instruments according to the resources from NASA. I also noticed that the instrument panel changed in detail as the X-15 program evolved over time so I cannot comment on if the panel is correct for this version of the craft or not. What is does give you is the semblance of a panel that seems right and busy enough to look good once the kit is put together.

Now, I could just show you the unpainted, raw resin of the kit, but once I opened the box I had to put it together, even though I do not own the Special Hobby kit and I do not normally build in 1/32. So here is my rather poorly painted version that should give you an idea how this will look like when YOU with YOUR special skills make a better attempt than I can ever do.

There were a few glitches that I encountered when I put this together. The high-G console stick on the right side of the cockpit is incorrectly shaped, it should resemble the center control stick. I also had to cut-down the panel and shorten the side stick so that the control would not protrude into the seat. The ballistic control handle is correct but the place where it connects should be a little higher than what is provided so that it does not interfere with the panel itself. I did not correct this as I did not have the skills or time necessary to do it.

I opted for the light gray instrument panel but early panels were also black, your choice according to your resources.

I did not put the rudder pedals in because I couldn’t figure out how they were to be attached; I could not get a picture that agreed with the parts. I also did not paint the red stripes on the headrest shields. I did not want to mess up a perfectly good shield with a wavy line.

Well, there it is. Hopefully this review will inspire you to finally build that X-15 that has been in your stash. Superbug Models has a few other resin parts that is supposed to detail the other-wise excellent Special Hobby X-15, check it out on his website or on Great Models website.

My thanks to Superbug Models for the review sample.