Eduard F4F-4 Wildcat Upgrade Sets (for Eduard) 1:48

[Mike]

F4F-4 Wildcat Upgrade Sets (for Eduard)

1:48 Eduard Brassin

 

 

We’ve just reviewed the superb F4F-4 Early variant on the new tool Wildcat from Eduard, and this is one of the many aftermarket sets that they have released at the same time for those that want to increase the level of detail over and above what’s achievable using injection moulded styrene.  As is now usual with Eduard's larger resin sets, they arrive in a deep Brassin cardboard box, with the resin parts safely cocooned in bags, and the instructions folded around acting as padding.  The Photo-Etch (PE), SPACE and Mask sets arrive in a flat resealable package, with a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are sandwiched between.

 

 

F4F-4 Cockpit (648803)

There are three Ziploc bags within the box, two containing directly 3D printed parts, the other containing a fret of nickel-plated pre-painted Photo-Etch (PE), a tiny slip of acetate and a small decal sheet, both protected by a small sheet of white card.  On emptying the parts out of the bag, the first thing you notice is the sheer level of detail present, but also the relatively small parts count thanks to the capabilities of 3D printers, where supports are all that is required to protect overhangs, and there is no degrading of mould fidelity over time because there are no moulds to wear out.  The short parts list is also evident immediately on viewing the instructions, which begin with an ostensibly complete main cockpit assembly that consists of the floor, rear bulkhead and oxygen tanks, to which you add the seat with a full set of four-point belts from the PE sheet.  The control column slips into a deep recess in the gaiter, some half-moon levers are added at the sides of the pilot, then the forward bulkhead with integral tank, plus a separate headrest cushion are mated to the cockpit.  The side consoles are slotted between the two bulkheads with detailed painting guide and decal placement instructions to complete those, then a little wire from your own stocks is threaded through sections of the cockpit, and the kit bulkhead is brought in from behind, noting that the plastic bulkhead sits at an angle to the resin cockpit, not square as you might expect. 

 

 

The beautifully detailed rudder pedals are a single part that is truly amazing to behold, and it too has its own painting instructions and two decals for the centre of the piece.  The kit insert to the tank is slotted into the 3D printed part to complete it, and then you have a choice of how to complete the instrument panel, using a blank panel with two-layer PE dial sections plus some tiny levers, or a detailed printed panel to which you add a decal, or if you’re very brave, paint fully yourself.  The small angled coaming with moulded-in reflector gunsight is added atop the panel that is locked in on two pegs, and a tiny piece of acetate sheet is glued to the top of the sight to finish off.  The cockpit can then be inserted into the fuselage as per the kit instructions, but with a small resin part fixed to the starboard interior with some wires running from it, and a pair of tiny pegs are removed from the styrene part.

 

 

 

42gal Ventral Drop Tank (648756)

This simple set consists of two 3D printed parts in a crystal-clear box within the packaging, one of which is the aerodynamic body of the tank, the other part being the top surface of the tank, which slots snugly into the body when tested.  The detail on the upper surface is excellent, and it’s a shame to hide it away on the model, so it would be best seen if used as background detail in a diorama, although a limited view of the detail will still be seen if it is installed on the model, as there are a set of stand-off legs built into the tank.

 

 

 

 

SPACE 3D Printed Cockpit Decals (3DL48090)

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.

 

 

This set includes a full set of 3D printed instrument panel sections, plus additional parts that are applied to the side consoles to replace many of the raised portions of the styrene parts.  There is also a printed document case for the sidewall, and while the PE sheet is almost totally made up of seatbelt parts, there are also additional details for the seat, a handle for the side consoles, small instrument boxes on the starboard sidewall, and a backing plate for the large document folder on the port wall.

 

 

 

Masks Tface (EX904)

Supplied on a large 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.  It also gives you another set of 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.  In addition, you get a set of lower side windows, and hub/tyre masks for the wheels, allowing you to cut the demarcation perfectly with little effort.

 

 

 

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