Eduard continues its prolific release schedule with a number of recent releases in all scales from 1/144 to 1/24.

We have a small selection of February's releases here for examination. All the detail sets are supplied in colour pre-painted or unpainted photo-etched metal, with interior sets usually including a printed acetate sheet for gun sight lenses:

1/48 scale

Eduard 48 557 - Fw 190 A-5

Eduard's recent Fw 190 A-5 is a beautifully detailed kit, but the limitations of injection moulding technology means that some details are not included or simplified. Eduard's new photo-etched set will address any missing or undertstated detail in the engine bay and cowl machine guns with a comprehensive workover, including interiors for the cowl hatches, ignition wiring and a myriad of details on two large photo-etched frets.

All of this intricate work will highly visible if you decide to pose the engine bay open.

Eduard 49 346 - Bf 109 F-2 for ICM

The recent ICM Spitfire looks to have a reasonably accurate outline and profile, but detail is lacking - especially in the cockpit.

Eduard's new photo-etched detail sets addresses this shortcoming and more in one fell swoop. The cockpit is mostly replaced, with colour instrument panel, harness, throttle assembly, supplemented with all-new sidewalls and other small parts for the front office.

The exterior is spruced up with radiator flaps and faces, plus a well-detailed main landing gear bay comprising a new ceiling and "stitched canvas" covers for the sidewalls.

This will be a major facelift for the basic details of the ICM 1/48 scale Bf 109 F.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Eduard 49 365 - He 177 Greif interior for MPM

No harness this time, but just about everything else for the crew cabin is supplied on these four frets.

Two of the photo-etched frames are in full colour, with flying instruments, the big engine instrument panel, side consoles and the complex arrangement of radios and avionics in authentically printed glory.

Many other interior details are also included. With its large, glasshouse canopy, MPM's 1/48 scale Heinkel He 177 is an ideal recipent for this fantastic detail.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Eduard 49 369 - Wellington Mk.I Cockpit Interior for Trumpeter

Trumpeter's 1/48 scale Wellingtin is undoubtedly well detailed, but Eduard's new set will add a new dimension its the four frets.

Eduard supply colour instrument panel, side console and radios, while larger structural elements of the cockpit are provided on a larger, unpainted fret of photo-etched parts.

Highlights include a delicately detailed bulkhead, replacement seats and cleverly detailed pedestals.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Masks 1/72
Eduard CX 178 - Gannet AS.Mk.1/4 for Trumpeter
Eduard CV 181 Fw 200 C Condor for Revell

Masks 1/32
Eduard JX 062 - F2A Buffalo for Special Hobby
Eduard JX 063 - Ju 87 D Stuka for Hasegawa

Eduard's masks are now all produced in the flexible yellow material similar to that used for Tamiya's masking tape. The masks are strong and flexible, with adhesive that does not let paint "bleed" under the edges. They do not leave marks on the clear parts after removal either.

This months highlights include masks for several potential masking horror stories. Who really wants to sit for a few hours cutting out masks for glasshouse canopies such as a 1/72 scale Condor or a 1/32 scale Stuka? Come on, hands up!

These pre-cut masks will eliminate the tedium of this task, and will deliver a much more precise and accurate result that most of us could manage.