Eduard A-26B Invader Update Sets (For Revell 1:48)

[Mike]

A-26B Invader Update Sets (For Revell)

1:48 Eduard

 

 

The old Monogram Invader is an oldie but goodie, and as such it's the detail that needs a hand-up to meet modern day requirements, with a welcome re-release early in 2018.  Eduard's new range of sets are here to improve on the kit detail in the usual modular manner, allowing you to get what you want for the areas you want to be more of a focal point.  As usual with Eduard's Photo-Etch (PE) and Mask sets, they arrive in a flat resealable package, with a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are sandwiched between.  The larger sets are supplied in Ziploc bags to make replacing them easier, and the PE is on the backside of the package.

 

 

Interior (49896)

Two frets are included, one nickel plated and pre-painted, the other in bare brass, with a small sheet of pre-printed clear acetate.  A complete set of new layered instrument panels with the new curved glossy dials overprinted, and centre consoles are the major parts on the painted set, with new seat and cockpit details; radio gear faces; sidewall instrumentation and canopy internal structure also supplied.  Additional parts are also included for the rear crew section under the glazed of the aft gunner's position, with the kit gunner's equipment adjusted to fit the new PE parts, utilising his seat, the main part of the sighting mechanism, and the pad removed from kit part 19.  All the rest is replaced, and you will need a short length of 2.6mm rod rounded at each end to play the part of a pair of replacement cylinders that are fitted into the new assembly.  Finally, the gunner's hatch can be cut out and replaced with a new PE door, with a piece of the included film used to replicate the window, while the rest is used for the pilot's gunsight.

 

 

It may have escaped your notice and they don't show up too well in these scans, but some of the new pre-painted instrument panels that are being produced by Eduard currently have a gloss finish to the instrument faces, replicating glass on the real thing.  Somehow they also manage to get these surfaces to look slightly convex, which improves the look and realism of the replacements to the kit parts.  This appears to be a by-product of their new LööK resin instrument panels, which are also pre-painted and have glossy dials.

 

 

 

Zoom! Set (FE896)

This set contains a reduced subset of the interior, namely the pre-painted parts that are used to improve on the main aspects of the cockpit, as seen above.  Whatever your motivations for wanting this set, it provides a welcome boost to detail, without being concerned with the structural elements.

 

 

 

 

Seatbelts STEEL (FE897)

In case you don't already know, these belts are Photo-Etch (PE) steel, and because of their strength they can be etched from thinner material, which improves realism and flexibility in one sitting.  Coupled with the new painting method that adds perceived extra depth to the buckles and other furniture by shading, they are more realistic looking and will drape better than regular brass PE.  As well as the Pilot's four-point harness, you also get a set of lap belts for the forward gunner, rear gunner, and navigator's seats.

 

 

 

Undercarriage & Exterior (48953)

This larger set of bare brass set contains some important upgrades, such as a complete skin for the engine nacelle mounted gear bays, which will need some of the basic interior detail removing beforehand.  Oleo-scissors, brake drums and gear leg fittings are applied to the struts, with new hinges for the bay doors.  A few small parts are added to the exterior of the airframe, such as hand-holds, intake details, and ammo chutes for the gun blisters.

 

 

 

Bomb Bay (48954)

Another large set for this important area of the aircraft, unless you're closing up the doors of course!  Firstly, lots of small details are removed to allow the detail skins to be fitted to the sidewalls, forward and aft bulkheads, with an additional piece on the curved part of the spar that runs through this area.  Airflow disruption "fingers" are fitted to the leading edge of the bay, and inside the underneath of the top turret mechanism is then built up on the remainder of the inaccurate kit part, which will require a little removal of plastic, and rolling of a cylinder that is part of the assembly.  The bay doors are also given new interior skins, plus more accurate and detailed hinges, while the bomb racks are added in pairs over each sidewall, holding two of the kit bombs (or resin alternatives) per rail.  The kit bombs also have new fins, shackles and spinners attached before installation.

 

 

 

 

Masks (EX591)

Supplied on a sheet of yellow kabuki tape, these pre-cut masks supply you with a full set of masks for the greenhouse canopy and other glazing.  In addition you get a set of hub/tyre masks for all the wheels including the double nose wheel, allowing you to cut the demarcation perfectly with little effort.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of