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Messerschmitt detail Sets Eduard/Brassin 1:32 Revell produced are cracking kit in their 1:32 Me-109G-6 particularly for the price, but it have some shortcomings and Eduard believe the detail also needed to be spruced up. With this in mind they have released a selection of sets for this kit, and an additional one for those modellers who would like to use the kit in a diorama. All these sets can be found in the Big Ed set or bought separately, it’s entirely up to the modeller to decide how much detail they would like or need to add. The relief etched brass is up to their usual high standards yet the instructions still let them down and really should be clearer on how parts are folded and fitted. Detail Set (32788) The two sheets contained in the standard poly sleeve provide parts for both the interior and exterior, so no need for separate sets. The majority of parts are on a medium sized relief etched sheet whilst the smaller sheet containing the cockpit parts is mostly pre-painted and self adhesive. For the cockpit the set includes a new seat support and panel for the rear bulkhead, new seat pan, a pair of very well detailed rudder pedals, trim wheel control chains and support bracket. The instrument panel is made up of several layers with the instruments printed on the backing plate, as other sets of this nature a drop of Klear or Aqua Gloss will be needed to represent the instrument glass. On the side walls there are several new or replacement instrument boxes and pre-printed faces, along with new cable runs and pipework. Each of the alternative gunsights receives new reflector glass supports, lens surround and brackets. Externally the set provides new radiator front and rear grids, a new intake grille, internal fittings for the radiator housings and main wheel bays; brake pipes and replacement lower undercarriage leg doors. The ailerons are given new end plates and the slats are provided with new internal lip strips. There is a nicely detail aerial mounting bracket on the tail fin and strap for the drop tank. Finally, each of the alternative canopies receive new armoured back plates and handles for the windscreen frame. Interior Zoom Set (33128) This zoom set contains only the above pre-painted sheet and allows the modeller to build a well detailed cockpit without the hassle of getting bogged down with detail that might otherwise be deemed superfluous. Tools and Boxes (32351) For those modellers that want to use their model in a diorama, whether in a workshop or on the line then this two sheet set will be just for you. The main part is the carry case, which, once folded to shape is fitted with four carry handles, two per side. Into this are fitted four shelves, two shallow ones for the general tools, such as spanners, snips, hammers, cutters and the like, (all provided), and too deeper ones in which the more specialist tools are held, all safely kept in place by various spacers and locking parts. Also included is a large tool roll, which when assembled and painted up should look great lying on a wing on the grass by the aircraft. The roll is also well populated with the more popular tools such as screwdrivers, cutters, rule, adjustable spanners etc. Seatbelts (32784), and (32791) These two sets of seatbelts give more choice to the modeller, they can either buy the all etched brass set, which is pre-painted and go through the process of annealing to make them more flexible to sit in the seat pan correctly, or go for the fabric ones which should sit more naturally. Both sets come with a full selection of buckles and clasps and whilst whilst quite fiddly to assemble they will really help make the cockpit stand out from the crowd. Brassin Wheel Set (632 018) In addition to the etched sets Eduard, in their Brassin range have also released this set of replacement resin wheels. The inner and outer hubs, plus the tyres are all separate, making painting so much easier. Detail is also enhanced with the tread looking very nice and the brake details more representative. Once removed from the moulding blocks it shouldn’t take to much cleaning up before they are ready for use. Conclusion This is another great selection of sets from Eduard, who seem to be churning them out like it was going out of fashion, yet keeping the standard high. The tool box set is my favourite and I hope they produce more diorama sets in the future. The rest of the sets will go towards making the finished model look top notch, particularly when the Brassin wheels are used as well. Review sample courtesy of

Supermarine Spitfire MkIX 1:48 Brassin Continuing Eduards releases for their own Spitfire MkIX they have released these two sets of resin wheels, which should also be ok for other manufacturers kits. Both sets come in the now standard blister pack and held in place by a foam pad. The outer hubs are separate for the wheels/tyres but the inner hubs a moulded in place. Set 648 115 contains plain tyres and four spoke hubs, whilst set 648 118 contains tyres with a block type tread, again with four spoke hubs. The mouldings for both sets are very nicely done with no sign of flash and will require a minimal amount of clean up due to the way they are connected to the moulding blocks by thin webs. Each set also comes with a set of paint masks which will certainly help with the painting of the inner hubs but shouldn’t really be needed for the separate outers. Conclusion Another great pair of wheel sets from Eduard subsidiary Brassin that will give, I think, a pair of very nicely detailed extras to any Spitfire model that used the four spoke wheels, not just the Eduard kit. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom Detail Sets 1:48 Eduard and Brassin Continuing Eduards releases for the Academy F-4B Phantom are these two sets. The first is a new style set of fabric seatbelts and the second, in their Brassin range is a set of replacement wheels. Seatbelt set, - (49064). The set comes in the standard flat pack style with card backing and contains a small sheet of fabric belts, which are made in conjunction with HGW, with enough parts for both seats, including the shoulder straps, lap straps and seat cover. There is also a small sheet of pre-painted etched nickel which encompasses items such as the buckles, ejection handles for both upper and lower positions and the quick release unit. There are a couple of spare buckles should you lose them when fitting. Brassin Wheel Set – (648 114). Does exactly what it says on the packet, and that is providing a complete set of new wheels for the F-4B. As is usual for Brassin these wheels are beautifully moulded with pin sharp details and only the slightest clean up required when the small webs attaching them to the moulding blocks are removed. As an extra bit of detail to the potential diorama, Brassin have also included six yellow chocks which will only need some thin wire or thread attached and the six chocks placed in position. Of course you will have to check references to ensure the correct colour as they are also to be seen in black or red. Conclusion Another great pair of sets from Eduard and their subsidiary Brassin that not only provide extra detail for the model but also help provide visual enhancements for a diorama, what’s not to like. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Hello all, this is my first WIP, a beautiful BF-109E-1 from Eduard. I have grown to love this airplane so much that I actually have a 1/72 finemolds and 1/32 revell waiting to be assembled after this one. I am learning new techniques so I am trying to the best of my knowledge not to mess it up! I ran with a little problem earlier with alclad flat clear, which turned the model very opaque and a little cloudy, so I sprayed gloss over it, then semi gloss The model is enhanced by Eduard MG mount resin kit and eduard exterior set. Extra placards are from Aeroscale Paints that I am using are Gunze and Vallejo, details are being picked up with markers and Vallejo paints, using MIG dark wash as well These are Iphone pics this is the beautiful MG mount, a comparison between the two but as you can see, they are different sizes! :-( Not only that but...the plastic part fits like a glove, yet the resin part leaves gaps all over the place! The engine fits alright with the resin part, and when I tried putting the engine and the mg mount together on the plane, it didn't fit! seems like the brassin part not only is smaller, but thicker too in some way :-/ I love the detail though Anyone has successfully installed this part on the plane? Any advice would be appreciated!

Spitfire Mk.IX Resin Updates 1:48 Brassin for Eduard Kit Following on from Mikes recent update list, here's another two sets making good use of resin and etch technology from Eduards Brassin range. Both packs come in the usual high quality clamshell packs. Spitfire Radio Compartment (set 648 120) The interior structure of the spitfires rear fuselage is superbly replicated using very thin resin parts that mate to the inner surfaces of the kit. The framework that supports the radio gear is supplied in a finely detailed etch sheet. The A-frame creates a cradle that fits across the upper rear fuselage with ribs either side of the access panel. An etch 'tray' then locates the radio unit and slides into position inside the A-frame. Also on the sheet are some coloured etch placards to mount on the resin radio pack. To show off the great detail cutting out the radio access panel is necessitated, so a replacement panel is also included. The unit is designed so that the entire sub assembly can by fitted complete into the kit before joining the two fuselage halves up. Spitfire 5 spoke wheels with smooth tyres (set 648 119) Mike recently reviewed the treaded version of these. Supplied in four parts, the tyres have moulded in brake hubs represented in crisp detail. The outer 5 spoke hubs come as beautifully detailed separate parts that simply fit into the recess on the main wheels. Not pictured but included are kabuki hub paint masks. Conclusion Whilst the base kit is already superb, Eduard are catering for those who really want to go to town with their Mk.IX's. These two sets are both great enhancements and further the options for creating a unique build or diorama. Review sample courtesy of

Vympel R-27ET Alamo-D Brasssin 1:48 The Vympel R-27 missile (with the NATO reporting name AA-10 Alamo) is a medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union. It remains in service with the Russian Air Force and air forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The R-27 is manufactured in infrared-homing (R-27T), semi-active-radar-homing (R-27R), and active-radar-homing (R-27AE) versions, in both Russia and Ukraine. The R-27 missile is carried by the Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 fighters, and some of the later-model MiG-23MLD fighters have also been adapted to carry it. The R-27 missile is also license-produced in the PRC, though the production license was bought from Ukraine instead of Russia. The Chinese versions have a different active radar seeker taken from the Vympel R-77 missile, which was sold to the PRC by Russia. R-27ET AA-10 Alamo-D, the infrared-homing extended-range version, which is 70 cm longer and slightly wider than the earlier missiles, has a range of 120 km under optimal conditions using the Avtomatika 9B-1032 (PRGS-27) seeker head. Entering service in 1990 the R-27ET missile does not possess a data-link, which makes it useful only at much shorter ranges at head-on engagements, however. When fired in a tail-on engagement the full range of the missile can be achieved. As with Brassins’ Alamo-C set reviewed HERE The missiles, which are really small models in themselves are packaged in the sturdy cardboard box with foam inserts to protect the resin parts. Of course, being of the same family of missiles these look very similar as those in the previous sets released. The differences being that they are slightly longer than the A’s or B’s which have also been reviewed on this site. They also have a clear IR seeker head which has been moulded separately in clear resin, there is also an alternative protective cover for the nose of each missile. The kits come with separate forward strakes, which are in etched brass, forward fins, etched proximity fuse windows and the choice of two types of launcher, ejector or rail. These launchers also have etched brass parts to detail them. The decal sheet is nicely printed, in good register and opacity, providing stencils and warning bands for the missiles and the launchers, and is really quite comprehensive. Conclusion This is another very nice set of missiles to populate your Russian aircraft models. If combined with one or two of the other sets then an interesting selection of missiles, covering most combat scenarios will be achievable. The detail included on both the missiles and the launchers is quite superb. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

AIM54C Phoenix Missiles Brassin 1:48 The AIM-54 Phoenix is a radar-guided, long-range air-to-air missile (AAM), carried in clusters of up to six missiles on F-14 Tomcats, its only launch platform. The Phoenix was the United States' only long-range air-to-air missile. The weapons system based on Phoenix was the world's first to allow simultaneous guidance of missiles against multiple targets. Both the missile and the aircraft were used by the United States Navy and are now retired, the AIM-54 Phoenix in 2004 and the F-14 in 2006. The AIM-54C was the lone improved model that was ever produced. It used digital electronics in the place of the analogue electronics of the AIM-54A. This model had better abilities to shoot down low and high-altitude anti-ship missiles. This model took over from the AIM-54A beginning in 1986. As with Brassins’ AIM-54A set reviewed HERE These missile come in a sturdy cardboard box and protected inside by several foam pads. Externally the mouldings look very similar, with only the four bulges around the body just below the nosecone missing. The mouldings are beautifully done with just the casting blocks and a small blob of resin on the tips if the nosecones to be removed. The separate tails, as with the previous set will require careful removal and cleaning up of both the missiles and tails to prevent an odd shaped missile being produced. The decal sheet is nicely printed, in good register and opacity. It provides the many stencils and the warning bands for each missile. Check your research to decide whether you need the live and practice weapons fitted. Unlike the AIM-45A set these missiles seemed to have had bands further up the body allowing a single large decal to fit, but also have several bands in short lengths to fit between the fins. Conclusion These are some of the nicest Phoenix missiles I’ve come across. The moulding is very nicely done and the level of detail is superb. You may have to look very closely to see some of it, but it’s there. They are a perfect accompaniment for your F-14 models. Highly Recommended Review sample courtesy of

Spitfire Mk.IX Cockpit 1:48 Eduard Brassin Timed to coincide with the launch of their brand new tooling of this iconic aircraft, this mixed resin and Photo-Etch (PE) set provides a complete replacement cockpit with additional details that recommend it over and above the kit parts. It arrived in Eduard's standard oblong box, and inside are three bags of resin containing 33 resin parts, plus a PE sheet and a small sheet of clear acetate with printed shapes for the gun-sight glazing. The instruction booklet is a little larger than normal, which helps when examining the instructions, and as well as being colour coded, there are colour call-outs throughout in Gunze Sangyo codes, which if not readily available in your territory can easily be converted using one of the many online paint charts. The first item of note is the significant increase in detail, which is impressive mainly because of the high quality cockpit that is provided with the kit. All of the frames in the cockpit area are faithfully reproduced in full, and these mate to a very nicely detailed floor part onto which the seat, control column, rudder pedals and ancillary equipment are fitted, complete with extra detail everywhere. The seat has a more accurate mounting frame, is better detailed, and has a folded PE flare rack at the front, plus two highly detailed PE attachment/adjustment parts near the top of the seat. A full set of harnesses is also supplied in pre-painted PE, which replicate those on the Profipack PE, which although it is a similar fret containing many of the same parts, the cockpit PE sheet is different due to the additional fixtures and fittings not found in the kit. The instrument panel is broadly similar to the kit PE, but the frame it attaches to is more detailed and the add-on equipment is a mixture of resin and PE, with the three film parts adding a little extra realism. A choice of gun-sight is provided, although it's not made clear which to use, so a little research will be needed to choose the right one for your subject. The rudder pedals are much improved from the kit parts, having the double footplates, and a PE strap across the top, which is missing on most Spitfire kits, although not much of it will be seen. The control linkages in the bottom of the cockpit are inserted from the front of the floor after the instrument panel is installed, and it slides through the short frames, disappearing under the seat. New lower cockpit sidewalls are supplied, which have improved detail, as well as adding additional levers & small parts in resin and PE, and a few small resin parts are used to improve the upper sidewall that is moulded into the fuselage too. The cherry on the top is a new resin rear-view mirror that is more detailed than the kit part is. Conclusion This represents a subtle but important improvement to the cockpit that will only be seen if you leave the canopy open, but to the interested observer, the detail will shine. It would be a good introduction to resin and PE to the novice, as there is little bending of the PE parts, and the resin has been designed to fit within the kit perfectly - all you have to do is remove a small lump in the centre of the inside of the lower wing to make the floor fit snugly. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Spitfire 5-spoke Wheels 1:48 Eduard Brassin This set of resin wheels for the new Eduard Spitfire IX (and others) is supplied in one of Eduard's slim clamshell boxes, and inside you get four resin parts and a small sheet of kabuki masking material (not pictured). The wheels are shod with treaded tyres, and have a rather familiar looking manufacturer's name on the sidewall, a company called Donlup, which is easily changed to the real thing without any breach of copyright or trademark. It also gives me a little chuckle whenever I see them, which is nice. The wheels have a moulded in rear hub showing brake details that are lovely and crisp, and on the other side, the back of the hub is also detailed, which will be seen through the spokes when the separate 5-spoked hub is installed. The space between the spokes is flashed over, but can be sanded away or poked out with a sharp blade to give the correct look and should result in a very detailed pair of wheels. You'll need to check your references to see when treaded tyres were used though, as smooth tyres were often used on Spitfires and many other British aircraft during WWII. The masks are made from yellow kabuki tape much like the beloved Tamiya tape, which is a great tape for modelling, as it is flexible, sticks well, and has low tack for removal, minimising any pulling up of paint during unmasking. The four masks are doughnut shaped, and if you are planning on using an airbrush, you will need to mask the tread area to prevent the possibility of over-spray. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Spitfire Exhausts (Fishtail) 1:48 Eduard Brassin This set arrives in Eduard's standard slim clamshell box, and contains six pieces of resin, four of which contain four individual exhaust stacks each. The new IX kit from Eduard has hollow exhaust stacks, so why would you want a resin replacement? When you see the weld detail running along the length and around the lips, you will realise that they are actually worth the effort, and as a bonus, you get a replacement section of the engine block into which they are inserted individually, which as well as being more detailed is more simple than the two-part kit assembly. Removing the stacks from their casting blocks is the work of seconds, and a straight saw cut will remove the block from the engine section, and then part G44 from the kit is used to finish off the rear of the piece. Conclusion When painted sympathetically with appropriate rusty, or heat discoloured shades, these exhausts should look as close as you can get to the real thing. Well worth the effort for those wanting the ultimate in detail. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

AIM-120C AMRAAM 1:48 Eduard Brassin (648087) Following our review of the A and B variants here of this well used missile, we now have the more modern C variant, which sports the clipped wings that enable it to be carried internally by the F-22 Raptor. It has an improved target detection module and has a greater range, which is always useful in the modern Beyond Visual Range battle-space. The set arrives in the Brassin clamshell package, and includes sufficient parts to complete two missiles in either live-round or training mode. The missile body remains the same, as do the two sets of fins fore and aft, but the nose-cone is larger and the tail has no exit for the exhaust on the training rounds. A set of four pre-painted Remove Before Flight tags in Photo-Etch (PE) metal are included, although no location points are given, and a set of stencils and coloured bands are contained on the accompanying decal sheet, with a small colour diagram of where the numerous stencils go for both live and training rounds. Conclusion Another highly detailed missile set to deck out your modern jet with, and with training rounds an option, you can also indulge your less jingoistic side. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Messerschmitt Bf 110E Cockpit for Eduard Kit 1:72 Eduard Brassin For me, one of the best plastic kits released last year was Eduard’s superlative Messerschmitt Bf 110. The kit, or more correctly the series of kits, feature superb detail, clever engineering and great fit, making them the natural choice for enthusiast modellers committed to the smaller scales. As you might expect, Eduard have been quick to release a comprehensive set of aftermarket parts on the back of the kits, including photo etched and resin detail sets and additional decal options. Latest in their ‘Brassin’ series of resin accessories is this replacement resin cockpit for the Bf-110E. Excellent as the new kits might be, there are still limitations to what can be achieved with injection moulded plastic. Eduard have recognised this and delivered a superb upgrade that should please every modeller keen to make the most of the new kits. The set is comprised of a complete new cockpit, including a new floor and side walls, seats, instrument panel and controls, and equipment for the rear gunner’s compartment and radio. A small amount of cutting will be required in order to fit the new cockpit into the fuselage, as the kit’s sidewall detail is moulded on the inside of the fuselage halves. This shouldn’t take too long though, and even if you make a messy job of it, the resin parts will cover up your crimes! The pilot’s compartment is comprised of a seat, instrument panel, control column and rudder pedals, as well as the aforementioned floor and sidewalls. The amount of detail that Eduard have squeezed out of the moulds has to be seen to be believed, and the quality of casting is straight out of the top drawer. A small fret of photo etched parts is also included. Some of these are used to add finishing touches to the rudder pedals and to provide parts such as the harnesses for the seats. The rear gunner’s comparment includes the aforementioned radio, as well as a seat, a full set of ammunition magazines and the rear firing MG 15, complete with mount and photo etched ring and bead sight. As a bonus, the ventral gun bay for the twin 20mm MG FF is also included along with a resin replacement cover panel. This can be posed in the open or closed position as preferred. Conclusion As excellent as Eduard’s new Bf 110E is, there is always room for improvement. This new cockpit ticks all of the boxes in terms of detail and quality of manufacture. If anything, the level of detail makes it almost intimidating, even to those used to working with resin. That said, it is pretty much the last word in small scale detail, and for that reason can be firmly recommended. http://www.eduard.com/store/Eduard/Brassin/Aircraft/1-72/Bf-110E-cockpit-1-72.html?cur=1'> Review sample courtesy of http://www.eduard.cz'>

Has anyone used these? Are they good and do they fit well, or are they undersized like others? Thanks Andrew

Bf110c/d Etch & Brassin Resin Upgrades for Eduard Kit 1:72 Eduard The recently released Bf110c/d from Eduard is a stunning kit in its own right (see review HERE). As good as it is from the box, there’s always a way to make a kit better and Eduard have provided their own solutions. If you really want to go to work on yours, here’s three opportunities to do just that in the form of an etch pack and two of Eduard’s Brassin resin upgrades catering for the wheels and open nose to reveal the guns. Etch set 72555 Despite the etch sheet being quite small, several improvements are catered for. The main wheel bay gets the inner rib work added and the main gear is treated to brake lines. The tail wheel benefits from an Oleo scissor connector (note, the Profipack comes with etch scissors for the mainwheels, but the weekend addition probably doesn’t). The lower curved intake on the engine gets an grill too. Several cockpit enhancements are supplied, predominantly side wall detail additions and handles. The radiators get a makeover by getting cooling matrices that simply fit to the kit parts and the variable radiator exit doors can be replaced with etch parts giving something far more accurate in scale. The bombs are enhanced by having their fins replaced. A useful tool is provided on the fret that secures the fins in the correct location whilst you glue them. Finally, the tail surfaces get etch trim tab actuators. Brassin Nose Guns (Set 672010) The nose on the kit is moulded closed which is fine if that’s what you want. If you prefer to have the gun pack open then this little gem is for you. You get upper and lower nose cone panels all beautifully detailed, inner structural work and 4 x MG 17 7.62 guns that locate onto the inner frame. The ammunition boxes are designed to be displayed in their open position to the left of the nose where the armourers would reload them. Etch access panels are provided that protrude downwards when the boxes are out. As you might expect, the detail in the set is stunning and adds a great deal of interest to the nose area. Image from Eduards site Brassin wheels (Set 672006) Whilst the kit parts aren’t bad, the detail in the resin replacements is a little sharper and more refined. With a subtle wash, the detail will really stand out in these. Be aware that two types of wheels are provided in the kit, the other type has a perforated outer ring so check your references first if such accuracy is important to you. Conclusion The base kit is already one of (if not) the best kit on the market, but that hasn’t stopped Eduard from providing to make it even better. These sets really do add improvements which would look rather special whether in a diorama or simply stood by itself on a shelf. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

B-17G Replacement Main Wheels for the Revell Kit 1:72 Eduard Brassin The B-17G released by Revell last in 2011 (see Paul’s review HERE) has been generally welcomed by the modelling community, although there are some things that fall behind earlier kits in terms of finesse, It’s packed full of detail making it great value for money. Naturally, it’s been a target for aftermarket producers to exploit. Brassin B-17G Wheels The kit wheels are quite mediocre, so these replacements are most welcome. Moulded in light grey resin, the tyres are supplied as separate parts from the hubs which makes painting easier. Detail in the hubs is stunning, there really is a huge amount of fine detail moulded into them. They are supplied attached to backing plates, so a razor saw should help to cut them away. The tyres are equally well moulded with a tread pattern and brand lettering around the tyre walls. They aren’t flattened so you may want to sand a flat onto them if you prefer this look. Conclusion These are a great enhancement over the kit parts. Looking at the Revell B-17F kit, they should suitably replace them too (which I will be doing !). They are a simple swap, so apart from cutting the hubs away from the backing plates, no fancy skills are required. Review sample courtesy of

Mig-21 Undercarriage Legs in Bronze (648080 For Eduard) 1:48 Eduard Brassin This set is for the superb new Mig-21 range of kits from Eduard, and is a departure from the norm, using new materials and processes to them, namely bronze. Casting in bronze gives a stronger resulting part than white metal, and finer detail is possible. However, at this juncture it also comes with a hefty price premium, which Eduard assure us should reduce if the initial sets are successful and they begin using it more widely in their range. Arriving in the usual Brassin slim clamshell package, and backed with a shock-absorbing foam insert, the box contains three cast bronze gear legs, ten resin cast parts, and a small fret of Photo-Etch (PE) parts. It is evident immediately that the detail on these finished legs will be far superior to the kit parts, and that strength will be similarly increased if you've loaded up your kit with resin and PE sets from Eduard's range. The three legs are nicely cast, and have a shiny surface as if they have been coated in varnish to prevent surface oxidisation before they are used. The resin parts are up to Eduard's usual standards, including six main gear bay doors with two optional main covers, and a pair of retraction jacks, again for the main gear legs. The nose-gear leg is cast with its yoke and retraction jack integral, and there is a hollow between the strut and yoke due to some fancy moulding. The axle for the nose wheel is straight-through however, so some length will need to be cut to admit the wheel. The main gears differ because of their separate resin oleo-scissors and retraction jacks, which must be added along with a number of tiny PE actuators and hose guides. The doors attach to the leg, and here there is a choice of a part with a concave curved leading edge, or a straight one. Check your kit instructions to see which is appropriate to your model. Now a quick word on the use of bronze as a casting compound. I can see why the strength of bronze would be advantageous, as resin could bow over time, and white metal often gives unsatisfactory surface texture, and can also bow due to the relative malleability of the metal. That inherent strength however gives rise to a slight problem or issue to solve, depending on your point of view. The casting has a mould seam that runs down opposing sides of the parts, and these will need removal before they can be painted and installed. A sanding stick is perhaps too wide an implement to carry out the task well, and I found that it also took more effort to remove material than would be the case with white metal. Using a metal rat-tailed file with a hard abrasive surface was much more successful, and more capable of avoiding obliterating the detail, but don't expect a few swipes to be enough. Take your time, work carefully, and you will be rewarded by a good finish. Gunze painting call-outs are given throughout the build, which is useful, although the old technique of burnishing white-metal oleo-struts and sealing with varnish won't work on the bronze, so you'll need a good quality chrome equivalent paint. Conclusion At the current price point (€33.75), it's an eye-watering prospect, but I have to admit that they're a good product, and with care will improve on the detail of the finished landing gear area. I'd be 100% positive about the new process if it resulted in no seams, but as yet that doesn't seem possible, and mould slip could result in a sizeable clean-up job, which would be time-consuming given the hardness of bronze. Where they really come into their own (apart from the extra detail) is their strength. If you've put all the resin and PE that's available from Eduard and others, you'll have quite a weighty bird that will need some sturdy legs to prevent the inevitable collapse. They're clearly not for everyone, but if you think they have a future, bite the bullet and get a set. Better yet, send Eduard some feedback via either their website or their Facebook page, as they intend to gauge the modelling public's reaction to decide whether bronze has a future in the manufacture of aftermarket gear legs. Recommended after a good read of the review above, with the caveats mentioned. Review sample courtesy of

MiG-15 Wheels - Brassin Resin Accessories for Eduard Kit 1:72 Eduard It’s not every day that we’re given an aftermarket item to review before the intended recipient kit is released, but I think we can make an exception in Eduard’s case. If you haven’t heard already, the moulds for Eduard’s much-anticipated MiG-15 were damaged early in the production run, and the kit has been delayed whilst replacement moulds are manufactured. Nevertheless, Eduard have chosen to press on with the release of a number of resin items designed for the kit, starting with these resin main landing gear wheels. Two different types of wheel are included, meaning you will have enough for two kits. Whilst I can’t comment on how good the original kit wheels are/will be, I can vouch for the quality of these resin items. They feature pin-sharp detail and the quality of casting is excellent. Eduard have chosen not to cast flat spots on the tyres, but these can always be added to suit individual tastes. In common with other resin wheel sets in their range, Eduard have included a set of pre-cut paint masks designed specifically for these wheels. Having used Eduard’s pre-cut masks on a number of occasions, I can vouch for their quality. Conclusion I’ll stick my neck out and suggest these resin wheels will probably be a step ahead of their plastic equivalents in terms of detail and finish. Hopefully we won’t have to wait long to check! Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

High Velocity Aircraft Rocket (HVAR) 1:48 Eduard Brassin The HVAR was an unguided rocket developed during WWII and used very effectively against ground targets after D-Day when German air cover was whittled away to almost nothing. It's five inch casing housed a powerful rocket motor that could propel it to speeds close to 1,000mph, giving its semi-armour piercing head and 45lb explosive charge quite a punch, earning it the nickname Holy Moses. It continued in service until after Korea when it was superceded by more modern designs like the Zuni rocket with folding fins and a modular warhead design. The set arrives in a shallow clamshell box, and inside are eight rocket bodies cast in moulding blocks of four apiece, plus eight individually cast tail fin assemblies. A small fret of Photo-Etch (PE) parts are included for the fine details. Eight HVAR rockets are usually enough to load-out out most WWII fighter/bombers, but check your references and launch rail configuration to ensure you have enough before starting. Construction of each rocket is straightforward, comprising the two parts mentioned above. The extra detail is added from the PE sheet, including the retention clasps, exhaust detail and the ignition wires often missed from rocket armed aircraft of this era. A scrap diagram advises the modeller to check their references for the correct placement of the retention clasps, as there is no "one position fits all" solution. As usual with Eduard's Brassin sets there are no colour call-outs, but there seems to have been quite a variety of schemes worn by these wicked little rockets. Grey with an olive green nose and silver fuse tip is one option, but check your references for your particular choice of subject before committing to paint. Conclusion Detail is of course excellent, as we have come to expect from the Brassin range, and these resin replacement to the usual kit parts are well worth the extra effort, as the fuse detail and the individual brackets holding the fins onto the body are very nicely moulded. The addition of the PE parts is the icing on the cake, and should result in a very realistic set of rockets for your WWII/Korea era ground attack aircraft. Recommended. Review sample courtesy of