When Trumpeter released the HMS Belfast the boo-birds started howling about how bad the funnels were and that the kit was unbuildable due to this error. As you can see from my build review using WEM's PE set it is quite possible to build an excellent model of the HMS Belfast using the unbuildable kit.
WEM have released a resin correction set for two of the kits inaccuracies. First is the compass platform which is a direct replacement for Trumpeter's combination plastic/PE piece.
Next up are two beautiful resin funnels that, again, are direct replacements for the Trumpeter parts. I cannot comment on accuracy but knowing WEM they will be very accurate. WEM also supply funnel grates for these funnels as well as the kit plastic funnels in their PE set. No problems with seams with these solid resin funnels and I found no moulding imperfections or air-bubbles.
The only problem I found was that one of the little baffles on the compass platform had been broken off. This must have been before the item was packed as it was not in the plastic bag the items came in. Mine was a very early production set and I am sure this problem won't be there in any set you receive.
SUMMARY
Highs: Ease of use.
Excellent resin casting.Lows: None observed.Verdict: A nice easy way to fix two inaccuracies in the Trumpeter kit and it removes the need to remove the join seam in the funnel halves of the kit's plastic parts.
About Warren Inman (warreni) FROM: SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA
Greetings! I have been modeling for about 45 years on and off and have just started learning about weathering my AFVs etc. Started when I was about 3 or 4 and got to a peak of production in the late seventies with a Airfix or Matchbox kit every day or so at times. Most of those have gone but when I ...
Looks an improvement on the shape of kit parts, and cleanly cast.
One question, are the funnels in the last pic upside down, otherwise if that is the top the rim looks a bit heavy, also no hollowing out at all, that is a bit scary.
Thanks for sharing Warren.
Si
I got suckered into buying this 'correction set' before WEM went bust.
To be honest, after much studying of references and raising the subject of the funnel sizes on fora across the globe, no one ever came back with a convincing argument that the original kit funnels were actually wrong in the first place.
Indeed, many builders have used just one funnel from this set, and one kit funnel to 'correct' what seems only to be some kind of optical illusion.
Despite having gone out and paid money for this set, I cannot recommend it.
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