Eduard Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Update Sets (For Revell) 1:48

[Mike]

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Update Sets (For Revell)

1:48 Eduard

 

 

For the longest time the only choice for a quarter-scale Blackbird was the ancient Testors kit, which graced the boxes of various manufacturers over the years.  It was flimsy, had raised details and was hard to build well, and harder to keep in one piece once done, due to the multi-part fuselage.  Recently, Revell have brought their own kit to the party, with a completely new tooling, robust construction, and much more engraved and raised detail.  Eduard's new range of sets are here to improve on the kit detail in the usual modular manner, and for a kit of this size, they’ll be brought out in stages.  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.

 

 

Undercarriage (481081)

This large bare brass set contains some important upgrades to the landing gear bays, which while they have the basics moulded into the kit, aren’t fully decked-out for the detail hungry modeller.  Work starts with the nose gear bays, detailing the two prominent cylinders with filler caps and a thick section around the middle of the tanks, while the opposite end of the bay is dressed with detailed skins on all sides.  The gear leg is relieved of its moulded-in oleo-scissors and the actuator for the aft bay door ramp, which are then replaced by more detailed PE parts that will improve the look greatly.  The other long bay door is replaced with a new PE assembly, adding thickness to the part with a lamination that holds inside it a set of louvres that you make up within a shallow frame, using the grooves etched into the sides as a guide, and the scrap diagrams showing you the correct orientation.

 

 

The rear gear bay inner doors are built in a similar manner, although this time with three layers to depict the thinner section in the centre, and this then has a piano-like hinge added to its top edge and a number of pivot points for the kit actuator rams that are reused.  The outer main bay door is retained but has the outer lip removed, after which it is sandwiched between two layers of PE, with a few small appliqué plates installed on the outer face.  The kit part’s hinges are also retained to make installation easier.

 

 

 

 

Engine Exhausts (481082)

This large fret of brass replaces the moulded-in detail on the two large exhausts at the rear of the Blackbird.  This detail is first removed by sanding or scraping inside and out, after which the two sides are skinned with individual segments of PE with details etched-in, lining them up as per the diagrams.  The section further forward from the petals is also treated to an upgrade, but this time with no removal of detail needed.  The two parts are first mated as per the kit instructions, then have the twelve skin sections glued to the surface within, all of which is duplicated on the other engine.

 

 

 

 

Grilles (481083)

This set is slightly smaller than the preceding two, and is filled entirely with replacement grilles that are found all over the upper and lower surfaces of the Blackbird’s semi-blended engine nacelles.  The original moulded-in grilles should be filled with your preferred brand, then the new PE parts can be formed to fit the contours of the kit, and glued in place around the edges to give your SR-71 a more realistic and three-dimensional look.  Annealing the parts before bending them will let them conform to the surface much more easily, and if you’re not sure what that involves, it’s softening the brass by heating the parts up with a flame until the brass discolours, then letting it air-cool rather than quenching it in cold water.

 

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

 

 

 

[FranckH]

Thank you very much! Will you be able to review the new additions?

• Eduard
  • wheels (resin)
  • seats (resin)
  • interior (PE)
  • dashboards (PE vs resin)
• 3DF
  • wheels (resin)
  • seats (resin)
  • nozzles (resin)

I'm especially interested in the Eduard vs 3DF comparison

 

Many thanks,

 

F.

[Mike]

9 hours ago, FranckH said:

Will you be able to review the new additions?

If they send 'em, we'll review them