Eduard 1/32 F6F-5 Hellcat Undercarriage Detail Set First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | September 2008 | Manufacturer | Eduard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | F6F-5 Hellcat Undercarriage Detail Set | Scale | 1/32 |
| Kit Number | 32189 | Media | Photo-Etch |
| Pros | Beautiful transformation of the Trumpeter 1/32 F6F-5 kit wheet wells and wing fold | Cons | Instructions are not color printed as in the past making it more challenging to follow the assembly and kit part modification sequences |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | MSRP (USD) | $34.95 |
First Look
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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.
What is even more intriguing is how Eduard can dress up a kit that comes out of the box super-detailed. In this case, I refer to the Trumpeter 1/32 F6F Hellcat series which offer some amazing details in styrene. However, whatever Trumpeter produces, Eduard makes better.
In this set, Eduard has produces a large fret of photo-etch details that completely transform the main wheel wells, main gear struts, tailwheel strut, and even the outer wing interior details that are visible when the wings are folded.
The set starts with the tailwheel which receives new doors and fairings. Next comes the main gear wells which receive overlays of new interior surface detail and additional structural frames. The walls of the wheel wells likewise receive surface overlays recreating the look of the ribs and spars that pass through this area with their lightening holes. When you get done in these wheel wells, you'll be hard-pressed to see bare styrene!
Next up are the main gear struts which receive brake lines, wiring, and support rods to the main gear doors. The doors themselves also receive additional details that are too fine to really capture in styrene.
The last area is the outer wing panels which get major new details in the areas visible while the wings are folded. If you see the beauty of this photo-etch work here, you'll definitely build the Hellcat with the wings folded.
This set is an amazing bit of engineering that will really step up the already detailed Trumpeter Hellcat and take it to a whole new level of museum quality detail.
You should be able to find this detail set at your local hobby retailer or one of the many online hobby shops. Trust me, thisis worth looking for!
Definitely recommended for experienced modelers!
My sincere thanks to Eduard for this review sample!