Photo Etch Detail Set for MPM/Azur Vampire FB.5 - 1:72 Eduard

[Paul A H]

Photo Etch Detail Set for MPM/Azur Vampire FB.5

1:72 Eduard

Special Hobby's new Vampire (reviewed here) is probably the best injection moulded single-seat Vampire on the market. Eduard have wasted no time in releasing a tranche of sets for the new kit, which is a measure of confidence in the kit, as well as being handy for us modellers. The set is available in both regular and 'zoom' editions and is accompanied by a set of pre-canopy masks too.

Vampire FB.5 Self-Adhesive Set

This is comprised of a pre-printed, self-adhesive fret and a plain brass fret. The pre-painted set starts off with a host of small parts for the cockpit, including a multi-layered instrument panel, details for the rudder pedals, sidewalls and throttle control. A full set of painted harnesses for the seat are also included. This fret also includes details for the landing gear bays, as well as replacement vanes for the engine air intakes (which are too small in any case). Replacement hubs for the main landing gear wheels are also provided on this fret.

The second fret contains a plethora of small panels for the exterior of the airframe, including the drop tanks. Replacement fins for the rockets are also provided, along with a jig to aid alignment. The bulk of the fret is taken up with a complete set of landing flaps. Using these parts will mean cutting away part of the kit's wings, but having performed this task on a Revell B-17 before, I can vouch for the fact that it isn't as fiddly as it looks.

Vampire FB.5 Zoom Set

This set contains the first fret from the set reviewed above. If you aren't too bothered about adding dropped flaps to your model, then this will make a more than adequate choice.

Vampire Mk.3/Mk.5 Die-Cut Masks

Eduard's pre-cut masks are the bee's knee's if masking canopies is toward the bottom of your list of favourite modelling tasks. This set contains masks for both types of rear canopy included in the kit, as well as masks for the nose and main landing gear wheels

Conclusion

Special Hobby's Vampire is a nice little kit with a charm to match that of the diminutive fighter itself. This set adds plenty to the kit without going over the top, and if you aren't hung up on having dropped flaps on your model, the zoom set is more than adequate. The paint masks are, as always, great time savers too. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of