Eduard Super Étendard Upgrade Sets (for Kinetic 1:48)

[Mike]

Super Étendard Upgrade Sets (for Kinetic)
1:48 Eduard

As is almost standard now with a new release, Eduard have produced a number of sets to improve on the kit detail in their inimitable style. As usual with Eduard's Photo-Etch (PE) and Mask sets, they arrive in a flat resealable package, with a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are sandwiched between.


Interior (49776)
Consisting of one fret of nickel-plated and pre-painted brass, plus a small fret of bare brass, this set gives the cockpit a comprehensive spruce-up, replacing the side walls, consoles and HUD with more detailed and realistic parts, plus a lamination of either the SuE or SEM instrument panels with alternative fuse-box detail on the sides of the consoles. The ejection seat is detailed with side-panels, a full complement of seatbelts and new cushions. The headbox is then stripped of detail and replaced by either a one- or two-loop ejection handle with top details. An ancillary instrument is added to interior of the windscreen, while the rear-view mirror a demister loop are added to the canopy section.

Exterior (48890)
Contained on one brass fret, this set contains the expected upgrade to the detail of the landing gear bays, their doors and even the gear legs themselves, which is pretty comprehensive and includes lots of detail skins, structural elements, plus some useful wiring and hosing looms. In addition there parts for the air-brakes, their bays, perforated wing spoiler panels, hinge details for the wing-fold, and even details for the refuelling probe bay, and the recess for the arrestor hook. The rear of the missiles are also provided with exhaust ring parts too for good measure.

Masks (EX519)
Supplied on a sheet of yellow kabuki tape, these pre-cut masks supply you with a full set of masks for the canopy, with compound curved handled by using frame hugging masks, while the highly curved gaps are in-filled with either liquid mask or offcuts from the background tape. In addition you get a set of tyre masks for the wheels, allowing you to cut the demarcation perfectly with little effort.

You can see Muzz building the Kinetic kit using these sets here if you would like to see more.

Review sample courtesy of