Eduard H8K2 Emily Photo Etch for Hasegawa Kit - 1:72 Eduard

[Paul A H]

H8K2 Emily Photo Etch

1:72 Eduard

 

 

Announced last year, Hasegawa's all-new Emily seems to be quite a mysterious beast. The teaser pictures (see the thread in the Rumourmonger forum) look excellent, but I haven't seen one appear in the Ready for Inspection forum and the kit doesn't even seem to be available from most of the better know UK-based model retailers. I managed to find one available from a UK seller on ebay, but so high was the price that Paypal Credit was offered as one of the options to purchase! Nevertheless, Eduard have decided that the new flying boat will sell in sufficient quantities worldwide to justify the production of a veritable slew of photo etched detail parts.

 

 

H8K2 Emily Cockpit Interior

 

 

 

There are three sets for the interior of the aircraft. First up is the cockpit set. In the usual Eduard style, this includes both pre-painted and unpainted parts. Included on the fret of painted parts is a new multi-layered instrument panel, a multitude of parts for the sidewalls and harnesses for the pilot and co-pilots seat. On the unpainted fret are complete replacement seats, a new cockpit floor, rudder pedals, more details for the sidewalls and bulkheads, as well as the ladders that leads from the flight deck to the interior of the aircraft amd to the observation bubble atop the cockpit.

 

 

 

H8K2 Emily Nose Interior

 

 

A seperate set caters for the extreme forward part of the fuselage. Parts are included to cover the main bulkhead that seperates the nose from the rest of the aircraft, we asll as a nifty door which can be posed in the open or closed position. An access door to the outside of the aircraft is also included, which will enable the modeller to show off a little more of the exquisite detail. Coverings for the floor surfaces are included, as well as lots of details for the sidewalls and the nose gun.

 

 

 

H8K2 Emily Rear Interior

 

 

This set includes details for the mid-rear part of the fuselage. Included on the fret is a door for the bulkhead, replacement coverings for the floor, as well as the raised structure directly underneath the turret. A host of smaller details for the sidewalls are also included on the fret. Details for the upper turret and side blisters, including parts for the machine guns and seats for the gunners are also on the fret.

 

 

 

H8K2 Emily Exterior

 

 

The single large fret contains the ignition wiring for the engine, as well as frames for all of the many windows on the outside of the airframe. Also on the fret are replacement hinges for the aelerons, the use of which will necessitate removing the kit parts. There is some seriously nice detail for the landing gear/beaching assembly, as well as parts for the nose radar antennas and smaller details for the bombs and torpedos.

 

 

 

H8K2 Emily Maintenance Platforms

 

 

 

If you bought Eduard's sets for the Italeri Short Sunderland, then you'll be familiar with this set. Two unpainted frets are included, which together hold parts for two maintenance platforms per engine. The platforms themselves fold down from cavities in the leading edge of the wing, and inlcude steps are restrining cables. They will certainly add something different to the finished model and I for one think they look excellent.

 

 

 

H8K2 Emily Pre-cut Masks for Fuselage

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

If you've given in to temptation and splashed out on Hasegawa's fine new kit, then you probably won't think too much of extending your investment to include some aftermarket details. Together, these sets include pretty much everything you could want in order to super-detail the new kit. Overall this set is up to Eduard's usual high standards and can therefore be recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of 

[Paul A H]

Updated to include fuselage paint masks