Orange Hobby, a recent contender to the after-market arena, produces high-quality metal upgrade parts for popular kit releases.
Orange Hobby of China has consistently released metal detailing sets for popular new kits. This one, for Tamiya's JSU-152 (kit # 35303), can also be used to enhance the older Dragon (DML6803) and Zvezda (Italeri) ISU-152 kits, as well. Included are both photo-etched and machined-brass parts.
Contents
The simple Orange Hobby cello and zip-lok packaging includes various machined-brass and photo-etched parts:
2 frets of photo-etch, a turned-brass radio aerial, gun barrel cleaning rods, pistol port plugs (with lanyards), and horns.
Mantlet cover with working hinges,
Mesh for the engine deck grilles,
Moving pistol port doors and plugs.
Not included are metal straps for the exterior fuel tanks.
Construction
The craftsmanship, especially of the machined-brass parts in this set, is superb. Not wanting to pay the high price of the recent Tamiya kit, I elected to update an older kit collecting dust in my stash. I was able to transform the aging Zvezda ISU-152 (item 3532) into something comparable to a modern kit. Though a fancy PE parts bending machine is not necessary, some experience, and dexterity with the tweezers, will be crucial. I must admit, I lack the patience to install the working pistol-port doors, which after a lot of fiddly work would not be at all visible. I would also have liked to replace the fuel tank clasps with photo-etched parts.
Parting Shots
Today it seems that the after-market accessory manufacturers are quick to produce something for every new kit released. This new Chinese company provides a range of PE accessories for the more popular new kit releases. Though it would certainly be advantageous to use a PE bending machine, I easily managed without; a set of good tweezers and a steel ruler does the job. Anyone with previous photo-etched parts experience should have no difficulty with this set.
I had a challenging time adding these details to my finished JSU over the course of a weekend, enjoying this kit again, without re-building it. This set adds another dimension to an otherwise over-looked old Zvezda kit, and a level of detail that cannot be paralleled in plastic.
SUMMARY
Highs: Excellent, if fiddly, detail. Will challenge even a very experienced builder. Good eyesight required!Lows: The most complex components, the sliding pistol-port doors, are only visible and movable, from the unseen interior! No fuel tank clasps.Verdict: Not the only PE upgrade set available for Tamiya's JSU 152 kit. Superb craftsmanship and detail.
Our Thanks to Orange Hobby! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Ted Hayward (ted_hayward) FROM: TAIPEI, TAIWAN / 台灣
From B.C., Canada. Living in Taiwan for past several years. I've been building kits for as long as memory serves -armor, aircraft, cars. Big fan of 1/16th scale armor kits. Currently serving as poster boy for working with CA adhesives in a well-ventilated area. My first kit was the positively awful ...
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