R-2800-31 Engine for GWH P-61A - 1:48 Eduard Brassin (648066)

[Mike]

R-2800-31 Engine for GWH P-61A

1:48 Eduard Brassin (648066)

This extensive set is designed to replace the engine and cowling of one of the new GWH P-61As, and includes enough resin and Photo-Etch (PE) parts to complete one engine and cowling. If you wanted to portray both engines under maintenance, you'll need two sets. The set arrives in a compact box, with a CGI rendering of the completed engine on the front. Inside, nestling between multiple layers of protective foam are four bags of resin parts, and one of PE parts, plus an A5 instruction sheet comprising two sheets printed on both sides.

Due to the nature and complexity of any aero engine, there are a large number of parts, 41 of resin and a further 16 parts on the PE fret. The instructions show the radial engine being built up from two banks of pistons that attach to a central cylindrical hub, to which the individual pistons fix. Each forward cylinder must have a 0.5mm hole drilled in it, and the rear bank have a small PE part that bridges the two sides, with a small piece of flash that should be removed from the back before installing. The reduction gear housing is installed next, and here you have a choice of two parts - a more traditional bell-shaped housing, or a more cylindrical one with a recessed front. A few additional wires lead from the reduction casing to the front cylinder bank, and then the exhaust stubs are added to the web of manifold pipes behind the engine.

A set of highly detailed cowling flaps are included in the set, which have lots of detail on the inner faces that will be seen because they are depicted in the open position. These are simply a drop-fit on the kit engine nacelle, as is the engine itself, which has a small cylindrical attachment point glued to the rear in an earlier step. The front of the cowling is a separate part that mates with the front of the engine, and must be correctly installed as per the scrap diagram with one panel line pointing vertically down, and the other two at the ten-to-two position. The modeller must then procure some 0.3mm wire in short 3.6mm sections to use as the cowl flap actuator struts, and a triplet of PE strips portray the cowling panel attachment points, and run between the front and rear of the cowling. The three cowling panels are all separate and very thin castings, which can optionally be installed, although why you'd want to bury all that detail, I do not know. The cowlings can be placed on your base, or rested on the wing, to give a candid appearance to the model.

Conclusion

An excellent set that will come alive with careful painting and fairly bristles with detail. It's not for the feint hearted due to the delicate parts and the need for careful alignment of the parts, but as it requires absolutely no cutting of the kit, it can be approached with no trepidation, and no fear of ruining the kit.

The choice of reduction housing shows some attention to detail, as does a choice of magneto fitment on the top of the housing. The delicate splines on the prop shaft give the modeller the option of leaving the prop off entirely, for a deep maintenance scenario.

Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Dads203]

Looks like a nice bit of kit Mike ,not seen these before.

Nice review :-)

Dan

Edited September 7, 2012 by Dads203

[Mike]

They are a bit special

[Dads203]

Could do with a few more close up pictures TBH Mike , the detail looks superb .

[Mike]

Have a click on the Buy It Now button, as there are some close-ups in CGI of the engine built up

Here you go:

[Dads203]

Does look tempting mate ..

[Mike]

I'd give in if I were you - just remember that you'll need two if you want both engines undressed