The noted aftermarket producer has released fresh 1/48 upgrades for Tamiya’s F-4B Phantom II, ICM’s B-26K and the Revell SR-71A.
If you plan to build any of the aforementioned kit – all recent toolings – Hypersonic Models may have just what you’re looking for to boost the details levels… or even change a Phantom’s identity.
The first set, HMR 48054 (1,300 Yen, above) supplies highly detailed main and nosewheels for ICM’s B-26K Counter Invader kit. All the resin is 3D printed and both tyre portions and hubs are separate pieces. Hub detail is exquisite on the mainwheels with varying depths and deftly designed bolt heads, but the spoked hubs for the nosewheel are also impressive. Note that besides their pleasing circumferential tread, the tyres also exhibit weighting and bulging effect, while the hub halves sport locating pins to ensure proper alignment.
Hypersonic’s HMR 48044 (1,600 Yen, above) allows you to convert Tamiya’s F-4B into an F-4N. This is, in resin, via a new rear instrument panel (to which you add Tamiya’s separate radar hand control stick and mount), plus an appropriately shaped vertical fin top. Also supplied are air intake cable conduits for the AN/ALQ-126 deception electronic countermeasures suite, as well as a 3D-printed resin mirror for atop the rear canopy frame. The instrument panel mates with the kit’s styrene radar console.
Read about Tamiya's 1/48 F-4B Phantom II
Also aimed at Tamiya’s Phantom, Hypersonic’s HMR 48052 (1,100 Yen, above) is a Stabilator Upgrade Set, which offers new pivot joint sealing plates and locating devices, through a mix of PE and 3D-printed pieces. A modicum of surgery on the Tamiya styrene is necessary to fully complete the conversion. Also provided are self-adhesive masks to help with location of the new cover plates.
Finally, HMR 48047 (1,800 Yen, above) can add a whole new dimension to your Revell 1/48 new-tool SR-71A Blackbird. It supplies a new 3D-printed resin braking parachute bay with individual doors. Removal of the relevant kit panel is aided by a self-adhesive template and you may need to use a hint of filler here and there for neatness. The actuators on the doors are finely replicated too; this is designed to used in conjunction with Hypersonic’s deployed drag ‘chute if desired, but note that this would demand pilot and reconnaissance officer figures to be in the jet. None are supplied in Revell’s kit, but France’s BAM Models makes seated Blackbird crew figures. You could, however, just have an open ‘chute bay as if waiting to be repacked.
All these upgrade sets are available direct from Hypersonic Models, for the prices quoted.
