Let’s take a closer look
The panel line detail is first class in this scale – very restrained, yet clean and precise so that it will just be visible when the model is fully painted and weathered. The plastic too is easy to work with, well finished, smooth and glues together well. All the parts are well moulded too with no sink marks or other blemishes to speak of. Assembly looks and is (see Build Now) very straightforward and so already I can see many modellers adding not just one, but several kits to their 1:72nd scale collection! Separate wheels and hubs is a must for the Meteor and MPM seems to have captured this area well.
Clear parts
The canopy is good, clear and transparent with no flaws, although I notice that it isn’t split and so you’ll have to cut it in two with a razor saw if you want to pose it open. When I get to that stage in Build Now, you’ll be able to see if this is possible, not sure if posing it open will work, but maybe. You’ll also see from the pic that the clear nose section featuring the cameras is supplied on the clear sprue so you could easily make the FR.Mk.9 if you wanted from the kit parts and using Xtradecals – your choice.
Decals
These look nice – good opacity and in register. Only marking for No.77 Squadron are included with optional nose art markings for some of the aircraft that flew in Korea and various codes to enable a variety of aircraft to be featured. The basic overall colour for all the aircraft is Airframe Aluminium (Oh goody – another chance to get out the excellent alclad2 Airframe Aluminium paint!).
Pre-painted etch too
This is very nice and is welcome; giving the cockpit some much needed colour. The blue seat harness is an example, as is the nice white dial detail on the main instrument panel. With the addition of the Reheat etched brass ejection handles for the MB seat this whole area should come alive when the cockpit is finished and seat installed. The omission of the ejection handles is inexplicable and luckily I have an old set of Reheat handles that can be used. You could always scratch them from some fuse wire so no great shakes really.
