Eduard Brassin 1/48 IRIS-T 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 photo-etch as well.

In this release, Eduard provides a pair of IRIS-T infrared dogfight missiles . The IRIS-T was developed under the ASRAAM banner and was intended to replace the AIM-9L with a more capable missile for NATO. The IRIS-T uses thrust-vectoring for enhanced maneuverability and an advanced all-aspect seeker head. Most importantly, the IRIS-T is interchangeable with the AIM-9 and can be operated using the same pylons and controls. The missile is in use with NATO Typhoons, Tornados, Phantoms, Vipers, Gripens and Hornets.

This set consists of two missile bodies, rear thusters, fins, and seeker covers cast in dark gray resin. Two sets of missile pylons are also included in gray resin including the LAU-129 for the F-16 and the RB99 for the Gripen. Three seeker heads (one spare) are cast in clear resin, and photo-etched end-caps are provided in photo-etch. A set of decals are included for missile and pylon stenciling.

This set provides a distinctive armament loadout option for your next NATO fighter project. Grab a set or two!

My sincere thanks to Eduard for this review sample!