Eduard FM-1 Upgrade Sets (for Tamiya) 1:48

[Mike]

FM-1 Upgrade Sets (for Tamiya)

1:48 Eduard Brassin

 

 

Tamiya’s Wildcat range in 1:48 was broadened last year by the addition of the British operated FM-1 Martlet, operated by the Royal Navy in large numbers under the Lend/Lease agreement.  Now we have some after market parts to increase the level of detail in quick, easy ways that won’t break the bank.  As usual with Eduard's smaller Brassin sets, they arrive in a flat resealable package similar to their PE sets but with different branding, with a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are sandwiched between. Bulkier small parts are further protected by being shut inside a low-profile crystal clear clamshell box inside the packaging, the parts prevented from rattling around by a small sticky patch in the centre of the box. 

 

Some of the sets are all directly 3D printed parts, and they are attached to their print-bases by many fine fingers that taper at the top end to reduce clean-up once you have liberated the part(s) from the base.  A little light sanding is usually sufficient to make any marks disappear, after which you can start putting parts together.

 

FM-1 Exhausts PRINT (6481015)

Consisting of two angled hollow exhausts, these ultra-fine parts should be a drop-in replacement for the kit parts, with much more finesse than their styrene equivalents.

 

 

 

 

FM-1 Wheels (6481016)

Containing two traditional resin wheels, two 3D printed spoked hubs, two flat PE hubs, and a sheet of kabuki-style masking material that is pre-cut to simplify painting immensely, you can choose to use either style hub, cutting the wheels from their casting block that is located on the contact patch, where you will find a slight flattening of the tyre under the weight of the airframe.  They are drop-in replacements, and packed with detail.

 

 

 

 

FM-1 Seat PRINT (6481017)

This set contains a 3D printed seat and a set of STEEL Photo-Etch (PE) belts that are nickel-plated and pre-painted to give your model realism.  The seat is a drop-in replacement for the kit part, and the belts are easy to mould to the shape of the seat pan to give a realistic drape, thanks to the thinner, more flexible metal they are printed upon.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

The great thing about these sets is that you can pick and choose what you want to focus on, they’re not going to blow your budget, and the detail is exquisite.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of