Convair F-102 Etch sets 1:72 Eduard

[Julien]

Convair F-102 Etch Sets

Eduard 1:72 SS474 & 73474

The new F-102 from Meng Models was welcome by modellers and a big leap forward from the Haseagwaw kit which was getting on a bit. Even though the kit on it's own is great we all knew it would not be long until the aftermarket manufactures would bring us some sets for this kit. Eduard have brought us two sets SS474 and 73474.

Starting with SS474 (The Zoom set) this is a smallish fret which includes some self adhesive parts. This fret is nickel, with some of the parts being pre-painted. This small fret contains details to enhance the ejection seat (a weak point in the Meng kit), these details include seat straps, firing handles and a new top box being the head rest which is a great improvement over the kit part. Details for the cockpit, including the instrument panel, side panel, and rudder pedals; all of these being self adhesive, and pre-painted except the rudder pedals. Other details include, scissor links on the landing gear, an exhaust ring, two exterior engine parts, landing light (and protective surround) for the front gear door, cockpit rails for the inside of the aircraft & the canopy, and finally some hinge plates for the wings.

The second set 73474 contains the complete fret as seen above but includes a second large brass fret. This contains full length strips for the large internal weapons bay, new internal parts for the speed brake doors, new internal surface for the front gear door (complete with all attachments), brake lines for the main gear, additional gear linkages not included in the basic set, new parts for the missile rails, missile exhaust endcaps, missile bay door actuators and finally much improved parts for the missile extender rails.

Conclusion
Both of these seem to be very effective sets for the Meng F-102. The smaller set is most welcome as it will go a long way to make the cockpit look a lot better. The larger set contains additional items which will make the model look better, especially if the modeller is going to model the weapons bays open and the missiles deployed on their rails.

Overall I would recommend both of these sets to the modeller.

Review sample courtesy of