To PE or not to PE...that is the question...

I picked up Eduard's PE for the Italeri Dornier 217K, primarilly as this model is all glass house, and the kit interior is somewhat lacking.

This set is stunning, providing a beautiful cockpit interior, and definitely worth it for this kit, as it will be on show. However I just don't see the point of putting all that expensive PE into areas of a model that will not be seen.

Karl

I just did my first P.E. set last nite on an Academy F8F Bearcat. It really did add to the cockpit but I think I really need some smaller tweezers! I had the Zoom set and I'm pretty sure now that I'm gonna get the "full" set since I allready splurged on a resin wingfold, prop & wheelwells for a second build of the same a/c.

Half the contents on the PE frets I have purchased never get used. Mainly I use PE belts and the instrument panel/side consoles if and when it may be required. In 1:72 decal instruments look good, however for larger scales I usually run with the kit provided instrument panels unless they are pooly moulded.

I have just started to use resin bang seats and I am a convert, so from now on resin seats for modern aircraft and PE for WW2 seat harnesses.

The good thing is that Eduard have released the Zoom series to cater for those who just like to use the harnesses and minimum PE. Priced accordingly

Below is the Airwaves PE I used on my 1:48 Premiere BAe Hawk T.1A kit seats. They really dress the basic OOB seats nicely without having to source expensive resin replacements. The PE fret cost me AU$5 and added immensely to the scratchbuilding I did to the kit.




cheers

MikeJ

I love PE. I don't think I could ever build a model ever again without it. I am even attempting to fabricate my own pe making setup. Regardless of how the model looks in the end, I enjoyed putting all the little fussy bits together.

I like PE because they add something that was originally missing. That "Something" varies from kit to kit and PE set to PE set, but they are designed to add details to the model that the manufacturer left off. Adding PE simply for the sake of adding PE is silly, but when it adds to the realism of the model then I feel it is worthwhile.

My main use of PE is for Instrument Panels & Seat Belts in aircraft models. IMHO, much of the PE in detail sets is unrealistic, especially for levers & knobs because of it's inherent 2 dimensions vs. 3.

Regards, Rick

yeah I guess I use PE if the kit is worth it... sometimes I buy a kit just to put together and have itbe a relaxing build, no pressure...

sometimes.. like with the Accurate Miniatures SBD I built, I wish I would have used PE because it looked so good on its own I am sure even just the instrument panel from the PE set would have really added to it...

the third part of the equation is price... some of the PE sets are a little steep...

i always like to think "a price is a fair price if you are willing to pay for it" so if you go out and get it, that means its worth it. if you dont, then that menas it isnt worth it - to you. personally, i only use PE if i manage to find some cheap. usually i give it a miss.

PS
to suffer the slings and arrows of *white noise cos i cant remember my shakespeare*

I think it will really depend on the kit and PE set offered, personally I try to use as little AM parts as possible.

i like it... on the HH-65 I am doing it has exteror and interior PE... vent screens, intake screens, tie down buckles etc... I don't always use the whole set, just what I consider 'more' detailed without overdoing it.. some of the sets I have seen have what I consider too much detail and I think it would make the cockpit look too busy...

I am sure others have different opinions... just for the instrument panel on planes alone sometimes it is worth it...a flat piece of plastic with a decal doesn't compare with the metal panel, well defined buttons and bezels and nicely detailed dials and such