Scale Plastic & Rail

RB Productions Seatbelts

RB Productions Seatbelts

Radu’s collection of 1/32 seatbelts seems to be growing disproportionately to my ability to build models to put them in! I’m a big fan of Radu’s paper and etch belts and have used them on both British and German subjects over the last 12 months.

Each set comprises of a sheet of pre cut paper which is coloured to represent the finished article, and requires no extra finishing. A set of etch stainless buckles and clasps is also included. I do recommend you don’t make these over a carpet as you get no spares. I remove the parts I immediately need and place them in a Tupperware container until used. These belts, as will all of Radu’s range are fully adjustable when assembled, meaning that they are pretty universal and can be made to accommodate just about any models cockpit that had such a belt.

Where appropriate, and in the case of these new sets, the Sutton A Harness comes with a smaller second sheet of darker brown paper to represent the leather of the ‘5 hole strap’. Previous users of Radu’s belts will know different colour paper is used to previous effect for lap belts. While these sets don’t call for the lap belt additions, the detail is nonetheless exquisite. Patience and a steady hand will be called for to assemble these sets, but you will converted once you try them out.

To assemble, Radu suggests Pritt Stick or similar, and NOT PVA or CA due to the possibility of staining the assemblies. I’ve been a naughty boy in the past and used small spots of high viscosity CA applied with a pin head, to good effect, but I don’t condone my cavalier attitude at all...use what Radu suggests unless you feel ‘lucky’, punk!

After you have handled the paper for a while, you will probably see that you will have inadvertently weathered the straps and they should already look realistic. To enable them to conform to the cockpit, mist spray them with water so they are only slightly damp and then form to their final shape. Leave dry and you are then done. That’s not Radu’s tip, that’s mine, and it seems to work well for me. Radu does supply tips for pastel weathering these belts, should you feel the need to.

The German WW1 set, Radu claims, can be used on just about any WW1 German machine, and they will look exceptional on the new Wingnut Wings machine. My set is destined for the Albatros D.V. You will need to check references for the attachment points as these will vary from type to type.

The Sutton QK Harness is designed to be used to be used on most British aircraft in service up until the end of WW2. Such types include Spitfires, Mosquitoes, Hurricanes, Typhoons etc. I have included a photo of such a belt recently installed inside my MDC Typhoon.

The Sutton A Harness are more of a ‘universal’ harness. Such aircraft to carry them were the Tiger Moth, Gloster Gladiator, and back to WW1 aircraft such as the SE5a and Sopwith Camel/Pup etc. This set can be accommodated on most British types up until the late 1930’s, and even on aircraft from other nationalities, such as Russia with the MiG’s and Yak’s.

So what do we think?

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of either seeing any of Radu’s earlier seatbelts installed in models, or indeed made them yourself, then you will know just how good they are. I have made many sets of the Luftwaffe belt and installed them on previous models, and I personally think they represent good value for money as the overall effect they have on a finished model is tremendous. Very highly recommended.

Overall: 10/10 Highly recommended

Many thanks to Radu Brinzan for the review samples. To buy these, head off to RB Productions and don't forget to tell Radu where you saw the review.