Eduard B-26B-50 Invader Updates (for ICM 1:48)

[Mike]

B-26B-50 Invader Updates (for ICM)

1:48 Eduard

 

 

ICM have given us a nice new Invader to replace all those old kits in our collective stashes, and it’s a very nice kit too, but if you want to take the detail to the next level (I hate that phrase!), you should have a look at these sets from masters of Photo-Etch (PE) Eduard.  As usual with Eduard's 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.

 

B-16B-50 Upgrade Set (491055)

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; plus sidewall instrumentation and structure also supplied.  Additional parts are also included for the rear crew section under the glazing 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 1mm rod as the base for the seat. 

 

It may have escaped your notice, but 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.

 

 

 

 

B-16B-50 Undercarriage & Exterior (481003)

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, new hinges for the bay doors and skins, plus some intake grilles, air splitters and spoilers finish off the set.

 

 

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of