Eduard AH-1G Cobra Update Sets (for Special Hobby) 1:48

[Mike]

AH-1G Cobra Update Sets (for Special Hobby)

1:48 Eduard

 

 

Special Hobby have launched a new range of 1:48 Cobras recently, much to the excitement of anyone that’s got a soft spot for the type, as there hasn’t been a new kit in years.  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), 3D printed SPACE, Löök 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.

 

 

 

Update Set (491279)

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 with added levers for the cockpit and the extensive instrument panel for the rear cabin are in full colour, with a floor skin for both crew; added armoured side panels for the seats; an oval vent no the side of the fuselage; extra equipment in the rear shelf, and additional cockpit internal detail for the canopy roof and openers.  The two ammunition paniers are detailed with extra parts that need some 0.3mm rod added as rollers and a replacement part for the ammunition feed that leads to the gun.  On the underside of the tail boom a pair of oval surface panels are added appliqué style after removing the moulded-in detail.  This will also make hiding the seams a much easier task, without caring if the kit detail is demolished during the process.

 

 

 

 

Zoom! Set (FE1279)

This set contains a reduced subset of the interior, namely the pre-painted parts that are used to improve on the main aspects of the cockpit, as seen above.  Whatever your motivations for wanting this set, it provides a welcome boost to detail, without being concerned with the structural elements.

 

 

 

SPACE 3D Printed Cockpit Decals (3DL48067)

The Eduard SPACE sets use new 3D printing techniques that lay down successive layers of different colour resin, creating highly realistic almost full complete panels that are supplied on a decal sheet.  They can depict metallic shades, plus glossy, satin and matt colours too, which really ups the detail on everything they print.  In addition, a small sheet of nickel-plated and pre-painted PE is included for the aspects of the set that lend themselves better to this medium, such as seatbelts and rudder pedals.

 

The PE sheet has two sets of seatbelts for the crew, plus backing parts for some of the decals to give them even more of a 3D look.  The instrument panel decals are applied over the kit panels after removing the moulded-in detail, as are the side consoles.  An equipment box is folded up from PE and covered by individual surfaces from the decal sheet, with another decal on a support on the windscreen frame.  The same process occurs with some additional instruments on the other panels.

 

 

 

 

Seatbelts STEEL (FE1280)

These 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 two sets of crew belts there are comfort pads for under the furniture.

 

 

 

 

Masks (EX862)

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 the wheels on the optional towing rig, allowing you to cut the demarcation perfectly with little effort.

 

 

 

 

Masks Tface (EX863)

Supplied on a two sheets of yellow kabuki tape, these pre-cut masks supply you with everything above, but also give you another set of canopy masks tailored to fit the interior of the glazing so that you can paint the interior and give your model that extra bit of realism. 

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of