Eduard B-2 Spirit BigEd Updates (BIG72136)

[Mike]

B-2 Spirit BigEd Updates (BIG72136)

1:72 Eduard

 

 

In case you're unaware, Eduard's Big ED sets are a great way to purchase all the sets you want for your model whilst availing yourself of a bulk purchase discount that can be quite tempting.  The set arrives in a large cardboard envelope with the Big ED branding and a sticker in the top left that details what's inside.  Within the envelope the sets are all still individually packaged to protect the frets from shuffling past each other and getting damaged until you're ready to use them.  This time it's the new B-2 Spirit from ModelCollect (reviewed here) that receives their attention with five sets that add some impressive detail.

 

Bomb Bay (72663)

This large (A5) bare brass set contains a complete set of details for the main bomb bay, requiring all the raised details to be removed beforehand apart from the central spine, which is still skinned with new PE parts.  The front and rear bulkheads are decked out with new skins and detail parts, the sidewalls have all new parts too, and the ribs along the roof of the bay are replaced by two-part PE ribs that have a T-shaped profile and curve to fit the shape of the bay.  The front of the bay has spoilers added to disrupt the airflow enough to allow the bombs to drop out, and down the centre of the bay a set of stanchions along the spine of the bay holds the attachment beam for the centre bay doors, which gives the outward impression that it has two bays side by side.  The kit's Multiple Ejector Racks that carry the bombs will need a small amount trimming from each end to cater for the two layers of PE on the bulkheads, with a scrap diagram showing where they should mount.  Finally, a sheet of paper is included that has templates for the bomb bay doors printed in case you would like to make your own doors from thinner styrene for added realism.  Either that, or you could opt for the Bay Doors set below.  You will need some 0.3mm and 0.4mm wires, plus some lengths of 0.6mm styrene to complete this set, so check your stores before commencing work.

 

 

Undercarriage (72664)

This set completely replaces all the detail within the three gear bays, as well as the bay doors themselves.  To maintain the strength of the assemblies however, the new PE skins are fitted within the existing kit bays, which must first have all their raised detail removed.  More raised parts are added to the new skins for a more realistic look, with hinges and their pivot-points added to the bay sides.  These are then attached to the new gear bay covers, which are laminated up and have extra parts attached to their inner skins, then linked to their hinge-points with styrene rod actuators from your own stock of 0.6mm rod.

 

 

Bomb Bay Doors (72665)

If you choose not to make your own doors from styrene, this set may be for you, as it completely replaces the kit bomb bay doors, and also adds all of the delicate framework that is simplified on the kit.  The set is bare brass of A5(ish) size, and each door begins as a piece of flat PE that is laminated to a framework, onto which the new ribs fit, which are then attached to the actuator arms that are included in this set.  You will need some 0.3mm wire to complete the job, so ensure you have some on hand.

 

 

Interior (73624)

Two frets are included, one nickel plated and pre-painted, the other in bare brass.  A complete set of new layered instrument panels and side consoles that surround the pilots are the primary parts on the painted set, with new controls; ejection seat details and seatbelts; a complete new crew access tunnel and ladder is fabricated, and a pair of new intake lips are also supplied, which I guess are near the cockpit.

 

 

Masks (CX504)

Supplied on a sheet of yellow kabuki tape, these pre-cut masks supply you with a full set of masks for the canopy, with compound curved handled by using frame hugging masks, while the highly curved gaps are in-filled with either liquid mask or offcuts from the background tape.  In addition you get a set of hub/tyre masks for all the wheels, allowing you to cut the demarcation perfectly with little effort.

 

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of