MiG-29A Resin and Photo Etched Accessories for Trumpeter Kit - 1:72 Eduard

[Paul A H]

MiG-29A Resin and Photo Etched Accessories for Trumpeter Kit

1:72 Eduard

Trumpeter are on a bit of a roll at the moment, having released a sequence of very good kits of Soviet/Russian subjects in superlative 1:72 scale. The MiG-29A was released last year (you can find our review here), sandwiched between their Su-27 and Su-24 kits. It immediately established itself as the best example of an early Fulcrum in the scale and a number of excellent examples have appeared in our very own Ready for Inspection sub-forum. Now Eduard have realised a slew of photo etched and resin goodies to help us make the most of the kit.

MiG-29A Cockpit for Trumpeter Kit

1:72 Eduard

First up is a complete cockpit to replace the kit parts. This resin item is made up of a K36 ejection seat, a new cockpit tub, instrument panel and control column, as well as photo etched details for the HUD unit, the canopy and the rear cockpit decking. The ejection seat comprises a single piece of grey resin as well as a set of pre-painted harnesses and grab handles. The tub has also been cast as a single piece of resin. Both items really are superb in terms of both the level of detail and the quality of manufacture. Going by past experience, the finished article should look absolutely excellent once in place.

MiG-29A Seat for Trumpeter Kit

1:72 Eduard

If you don't fancy splashing out on the whole cockpit set, you can purchase the K36 ejection seat separately. This is an attractive option for modellers on a budget, and being such a ubiquitous item in the Russian inventory, you can use it in a whole variety of other models as well as the MiG-29. You get the same photo etched harnesses as are included in the full cockpit set, so there really is no compromise in terms of detail.

MiG-29A Exhaust Nozzles for Trumpeter Kit

1:72 Eduard

The exhaust nozzle set is another direct replacement for the kit items, and the parts slot into place without any cutting or sawing required. You will need to cut the rear turbine face from the casting block, but that is all. Flame holders for the afterburner are provided on a photo etched fret of parts. As with the cockpit, the resin parts are superbly detailed and cast and superior to the kit parts (which aren't at all bad) in every way.

MiG-29A Photo Etched Detail Set for Trumpeter Kit

1:72 Eduard

This set comprises two frets of photo etched parts. The first fret contains pre-painted parts for detailing the cockpit and includes harnesses, pull handles and a cushion for the ejection seat, as well as details for the instrument panel, cockpit sidewalls, control column, rudder pedals and HUD unit. Almost all of these parts will be redundant if you choose to buy the resin cockpit set, so think of this as an alternative to that set rather than an additional extra. The second fret is unpainted and contains details for the rest of the airframe. The landing gear benefits from hydraulic lines and a mud guard, there are FOD guards for the engine air intakes and details for the missile rails crucial if you are not planning to finish your model with a full load of weapons. There are flame holders for the engine exhausts and details for the cockpit canopy too. Smaller details include a host of small aerials and plates to dot around the airframe.

MiG-29A Pre-Cut Masks for Trumpeter Kit

1:72 Eduard

Last but not least is a set of pre-cut paint masks for the cockpit canopy and wheels. If you've used these items before then you'll know exactly what to expect reliable items which can save you a bit of time and effort if you are that way inclined. They are a bit of a luxury on a small model like this, so whether you use them or not will be your own judgement call.

Conclusion

Although Trumpeter's MiG-29A is pretty damn good, there are always limitations to what can be achieved with injection moulded plastic. Eduard have recognised this and delivered a suite of nice upgrades that should please every modeller keen to make the most of this new kit. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of