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BIG ED Selected Releases

1/32 scale A6M2 Zero
1/32 scale Bf 109 G-6
1/72 scale A-26C Invader

 

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number, Description, Scale & Price

1/72 scale

Eduard BIG7229 - A-26C Invader for Italeri

1/32 scale

Eduard BIG3251 - A6M2 Zero for Tamiya
Eduard BIG3252 - Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 for Hasegawa

all available online from Eduard's website
Contents and Media: Each set contains prepainted and unpainted photo-etched detail parts plus canopy masks
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Outstanding detail; virtually impossible for modellers to match the authenticity of the printed colour parts; masks will simplify canopy painting.
Disadvantages:  
Recommendation: All Recommended

 

Reviewed by Brett Green


 Eduard Photoetched Accessories and Masks are available online from Squadron.com

 

FirstLook


Eduard could never be accused of false advertising for labelling this series "Big Ed"!

The Big Ed concept is simple - squeeze every possible piece of photo-etched detail plus self-adhesive canopy masks into a single package.

Eduard continues to release one or more Big Ed sets each month for modellers who want to superdetail their models. Three of the latest are as follows:

1/72 scale

BIG7229 - A-26C Invader for Italeri

 

 

This comprehensive set includes four elements:

  • Interior, with the focus on the cockpit and including wonderfully detailed colour photo-etched parts for the instrument panels and consoles.

  • Exterior - detail parts for the engine, wheel wells and airframe

  • Bomb Bay - a spectacular bomb bay to liven up the lower surfaces

  • Masks - The intricate framing on the Invader canopy will be masked much more quickly and precisely with Eduard's flexible masking set.

 

 

Some of the parts in this 1/72 scale sets are very small, so it will be best suited to more experienced modellers (or those with tiny hands!)


1/32 scale

BIG3251 - A6M2 Zero for Tamiya

Tamiya's 1/32 scale Zero kits are undoubtedly beautifully detailed, but Eduard has delivered a suite of photo-etched parts that will lift the model to the level of a masterpiece.

 

 

The Interior part of this BIG ED set comprises no fewer than three photo-etched frets. One of these is in colour, and includes a harness with authentically reproduced stitching. The instrument panel is different to Eduard's usual approach. The Tamiya part is used, with Eduard's dials and smaller details supplementing the kit parts. A similar approach is applied to the consoles.

 

 

A further fret covers the landing flaps. These are very delicately detailed, but much of the assembly guesswork has been eliminated as the fine supports are attached to the main flaps and folded into place. These flaps are a nice way to customise your Zero.

The exterior frets provide parts for the wheel wells and general airframe, while the engine set supplies a wealth of detail for the prominent Nakajima Sakae powerplant.

This BIG ED set is rounded out with flexible canopy masks.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

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BIG3252 - Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 for Hasegawa
 

Hasegawa's 1/32 scale Bf 109 family might just be my favourite kits of all time. The basic kit look good when built straight from the box, but they equally represent a blank canvas for the determined superdetailer.

Eduard has provided a photo-etched one-stop-shop for modellers who want to go mad with metal.

This set will be suitable for the Bf 109 G-6, but almost all the parts are also applicable to the Bf 109 G-2, G-4 and G-14 too.

Two frets are supplied for the interior. Once again, the jewel in the crown is the fantastic printed instrument panel. A number of placards and other details are also provided in full colour.

 

 

The second interior fret replaces the sidewalls and many major and minor cockpit parts.

Another colour fret contains the beautiful harness.

The exterior component has many useful enhancements and replacements for kit parts, including new radiator grilles, radiator flaps and the stitched "canvas" lining for the wheel wells.

A further fret contains scribing templates to open various access and filler hatches on the airframe. This set also supplies the hatch covers.

To help paint your model, Eduard has produced a "Large Blotch Mask-Etch". This set comprises six separate brass photo-etched parts that can be used to apply mottled camouflage to your Bf 109 fuselage and tail. Each parts is "keyed" to a particular part of the airframe, and includes a useful handle.

 

 

Two masking sheets are included. One is for the canopy and wheels, while the second is a very handy set of masks for various styles of spinner spirals.

 

 

If you have some experience working with photo-etched parts, these BIG ED sets will add a great deal of detail to your modelling subjects. The inclusion of colour parts and masks is a real bonus.

All Recommended.

Thanks to Eduard for the review samples

Text and Images Copyright © 2007 by Brett Green
Page Created 24 June, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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