Eduard 1/32 P-51D Engine Set First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | November 2011 | Manufacturer | Eduard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | P-51D Engine set | Scale | 1/32 |
| Kit Number | 32307 | Media | Photo-etch |
| Pros | Beautiful detail update for Tamiya kit | Cons | Instructions (see text) |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | MSRP (USD) | $33.00 |
First Look
Eduard from the Czech Republic is easily the most prolific producer of aftermarket details.Their series of photo-etched detail sets have brought additional fidelity to otherwisebland subjects, and have taken even the best-produced models and kicked them up a notch ortwo with details that cannot be produced with injection-molded plastic. Such is the case with Tamiya's latest masterpiece, their 1/32 P-51D Mustang.
Eduard has produced a series of photo-etched detail sets for the Tamiya kit, this one targeted for under that cowling. The kit provides the best (so far) engine compartment for the P-51 rendered in scale, but this set does take the kit to the next level.
The set starts off with the insides of the cowling panels. The kit provides nice detail, but if you were to scale up the kit parts, the stringers and formers molded to the inside would be very over scale. Eduard replaces these with photo-etched frames complete with dzus fastener holes in the right places.
Next, the molded-on hose clamps again are too thick and are replaced by photo-etched clamps which would look great unpainted. Of course this set provides ignition harneses and actuator arms for throttle, mixture, supercharger, etc., controls.
The oil reservoir on the firewall loses its molded-on mount and retaining straps and these too are replaced by nicely done photo-etch. If you're going to all of the trouble of adding these details 'under the hood', you'll want to refer to our extensive photo library ( look here) to see where you'll also want to add bolts to make these various mounts and clamps complete. One option in this set provides a cross-beam and mount to relocate the battery from behind the pilot to under the hood.
My only complaint with this set is with the instructions. Eduard is printing them in black and white now which makes reading the color codes and the images of the photo-etched parts challenging. The good news is that Eduard does have these instructions online in color here.
This is a nice enhancement for the Tamiya kit and will provide some beautiful detailing to see with the cowling panels removed.
My sincere thanks to Eduard for this review sample! You can see more about this set from theirwebsite on this link.