Eduard AVRO Vulcan B.2 Update Sets (For Airfix) 1:72

[Mike]

AVRO Vulcan B.2 Update Sets (For Airfix)

1:72 Eduard

 

 

After many years of making do with the old-skool Airfix Vulcan, Airfix did the modelling world a favour and released a completely modern new tooling, based upon their current LIDAR/CAD-based design and moulding skillset, which is a very good thing.  Eduard's new range of sets are here to improve on the kit detail in the usual modular manner.  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.

 

 

Interior (73748)

Two frets are included, both nickel-plated and pre-painted.  A complete set of new layered instrument panels, sidewalls and side consoles with added levers for the cockpit and the extensive instrument panel for the rear cabin are in full colour, with a floor skin for the rear; ejection seat details with pull-handles, spine details and seatbelts, plus three four-point seat belts for the rear crew are also supplied.

 

 

 

 

Zoom! Set (SS748)

This set contains a reduced subset of the interior, namely the pre-painted parts that are used to improve on the front cockpit, as seen on the left in the photo above.  Whatever your motivations for wanting this set, it provides a welcome boost to detail, without being concerned with the structural elements or the well-hidden rear seats.

 

 

 

Bomb Bay (72715)

This larger bare brass set contains some important upgrades to the bomb bay, a basic rendition of which is included in the new kit, starting with the front and rear bulkhead/spar combination parts, which have the majority of their raised detail removed and replaced by more accurate, finer parts in PE.  The sidewalls are skinned with PE that has folded-over triangular ribbing, then the saddle-shaped roof-mounted cross-members are similarly stripped and covered with new skins on the three visible sides, some of which will need bending and rolling to fit the shape of the styrene parts.  The bay is then put together, and if you’re minded you can add bundles of wires to replicate the various looms that pass through the newly detailed bay.

 

 

 

 

Undercarriage (72716)

This large bare brass PE sheet contains parts for the nose gear bay and the two main bays, which are all stripped of their moulded-in detail and have skins and folded up equipment boxes, ribs and other details added all over.  Some small parts are rolled to shape, and there are additional equipment frames and wiring looms overlaid in the bays to enhance detail.  Finally, the bay doors are all skinned with new parts after removing small upstands that are no-longer required.

 

 

 

 

Masks (CX604)

Supplied on a sheet of yellow kabuki tape, these pre-cut masks supply you with a full set of masks for the restrictive panels of the canopy and tiny side windows.  In addition, you get a set of hub/tyre masks for the many wheels, allowing you to cut the demarcation perfectly with little effort.

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

The new Airfix Vulcan is a significant upgrade to the old one, the moulds for which were really starting to show their age on the last few outings.  With the aid of these sets from Eduard, the new kit will shine brightly with some careful painting.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of