RetroWings 1/144 Platz F6F Resin Sets
By Matt Bittner
Most Platz 1/144 kits are considered gems and the best in their field, the F6F being one of them. However, most kits can stand some improvement, and this is the case when it comes to the F6F's cockpit that while nice out-of-the-box, the resin parts have a bit more detail. In addition, most kits can also be converted, and that's where the nightfighter conversion set from RetroWings comes into play. The nightfighter conversion kit will turn either the Platz F6F-3 into an F6F-3N, or the F6F-5 into an F6F-5N. The conversion set consists of two AN/APS-6 radar pods and the 20mm cannon barrels (you can convert two kits with this set), both which will be mounted on the wings. The radar pod is usually attached to the starboard wing, close the wing tip, and the instructions do mention that you'll need to sand the wing a little to get the part to fit. The 20mm barrels will need to be glued on, once the "regular" barrels are snipped off. A relatively easy conversion that will turn the regular Platz kit into a nightfighter. The RetroWings cockpit set consists of a cockpit "tub", separate control stick; separate instrument panel; two separate sides; and separate seat. The resin parts are meant to be direct replacements for the kit parts, but add a bit more detail and will look nice when painted and dry brushed with a wash applied.All in all, two great sets to enhance any Platz 1/144 F6F kit. They both will make your Hellcat stand out more than just one built out-of-the-box.
Our thanks to RetroWings for supplying the review samples.