Eduard 1/32 Bazooka Rocket Launchers for P-40 Set First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Eduard from the Czech Republic is easily the most prolific producer of aftermarket details. Period. Their series of photo-etched detail sets have brought additional fidelity to otherwise bland subjects, and have taken even the best-produced models and kicked them up a notch or two with details that cannot be produced with injection-molded plastic. Many AMS modelers will collect the relevant Eduard photo-etch sets for a given project, but they'll also go out and gather specific resin enhancements as well. Eduard has stepped up with a new product line to complement their photo-etched detail series - Brassin. Brassin is a play on words with Brass and Resin, and in many sets in this series, the resin details also include a set of color photo-etch as well.

In this release, Eduard has produced a nice pair bazooka rocket launchers in 1/32 scale. The set provides the triple-tube launchers with your choice of loaded or unloaded rear ends, mounts, and binding straps provided as photo-etched parts. I'm not certain why Eduard identified this set for the P-40 because this weapon was adapted to the P-47 and P-51 (among others). What this set does not provide are the reinforced mounts that were riveted to the underside of the P-40 wings nor even where under the wings these launchers were mounted. You'll need to provide your own airframe mods and information to use this set, but this will indeed work with other aircraft besides the P-40.

While it is unusual for Eduard to render a detail set without providing the essential information on how/where to install this set, these bazooka rocket launchers will look great on your next USAAF project (check your references).

My sincere thanks to Eduard for this review sample!