Eduard A-26B/B-26 Invader Upgrade Sets (for ICM) 1:48

[Mike]

A-26B/B-26 Invader Upgrade Sets (for ICM)

1:48 Eduard & Eduard Brassin

 

 

We’ve been blessed with a LOT of new A-26 and B-26 kits from ICM in 1:48, and if their past performance is any gauge, we’ll be getting a bunch more variants before they’re done.  This group of sets helps to increase the detail further than the kit allows, with Eduard’s usual modular approach so that you can get the parts that appeal to you, or go crazy and buy them all for the ultimate detail-fest.  As standard 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.

 

 

A-26B Interior (491068)

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 “droplet” 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 portion of the aft gunner's position, with the kit gunner's equipment adjusted to fit the new PE parts, replacing his seat, the main part of the sighting mechanism, and retaining only a few parts from the it.   The acetate sheet is pre-printed and should be cut up and 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

A-26B Invader Seatbelts (FE1069)

Eduard 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.

 

 

 

 

 

A-26B Invader Bomb Bay (481009)

Another large sheet of PE 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.  The bay edges and bay doors are 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.

 

 

 

 

B-26 Invader Wheels (648534)

Kit wheels are generally in two halves, which means you have the resultant joins to deal with, possible mould-slip issues on single part wheels, and sometimes less than stellar detail due to the moulding limitations of styrene injection technology, especially in the tread department.  That's where replacement resin wheels come in, with their lack of seamline and superior detail making a compelling argument.  They are also usually available at a reasonable price, and can be an easy introduction to aftermarket and resin handling, as they are usually a drop-in replacement.  This set contains parts for two main wheels with diamond tread and highly detailed moulded-in hubs, while the nose wheel has a similar tread-pattern and two separate hub halves to improve detail and show light between the spokes.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

The detail in these sets are legendary, so choose what you want to focus on (those wheels!), and go for it.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of