AVIA B.534 serie IV
Weekend Edition
Eduard, 1/48 scale
S
u m m a r y |
| Catalogue Number: |
Eduard Kit No. 8475 - Avia B.534 serie IV “Weekend Edition” Kit |
| Scale: |
1/48 |
| Contents and Media: |
Olive coloured plastic parts; markings for one aircraft. |
| Price: |
USD$19.95 plus shipping available online from Eduard's website
and specialist hobby retailers worldwide |
| Review Type: |
FirstLook |
| Advantages: |
Plastic parts with excellent surface detailing and clever engineering; thin clear canopies for both open and closed options; decals with very good colour register and thin carrier film; welcome set of stencil data. |
| Disadvantages: |
Rigging diagram could be improved. |
| Recommendation: |
This is a budget reissue of a quality kit. The surface detail is some of the best you will come across in plastic, and looks as good now as it did when first released. If you haven’t picked up one of these kits in the past, you are missing out on some modelling pleasure. |
Reviewed by
Rob Baumgartner
Eduard's 1/48 scale AVIA B.534 Weekend Edition is available online from Squadron.com
Eduard’s Avia B.534 makes another welcome appearance, this time in the guise of a “Weekend Edition” release.
There are 112 plastic parts in this kit, five of which are clear to cater for the cockpit transparencies. All of these items exhibit sharp, crisp detail with little or no flash to contend with.
The cockpit comprises of 14 parts and despite the lack of photo-etched embellishments, will still look busy enough for the majority of modellers. The interior structure on each side of the fuselage has been moulded separately and the finesse of these items keeps everything as near to scale as possible.
The flying surfaces are masterful pieces of moulding. They slot reassuringly into their location points and the instructions make sure the lower wings are set at the correct dihedral. Each rib tape is represented by two finely engraved panel lines. Between these is a subtle reproduction of the stitching which looks superb under a coat of paint. The trailing edges are razor sharp with no distortion anywhere to be seen.
Only the rudder and elevators can be animated without surgery, so be prepared for some cutting if you want to position the ailerons.
To complete the model, a rigging diagram is provided, though care must be used to locate the fuselage entry points. These are not made clear in the instruction sheet and resorting to the box top art doesn’t help to clarify matters either.
The canopy can be displayed in the open or closed position.
Separate parts are provided for each choice and all items are commendably thin and display excellent clarity.
Markings
As befits a “Weekend Edition” kit, a single option is supplied on the decal sheet.
- B.534.186, 34 letka, Letecký pluk 4, Hradec Králové, léto 1937
The decals come on a single sheet and were printed with perfect colour registration. The carrier film is very thin and was kept to a minimum around each item.
A nice bonus is the inclusion of stencil data and this even extends to the propeller logos.
As it holds a special place in their country’s history, Eduard has pulled out all the stops for this aircraft.
The mouldings are exquisite and this can be seen on every aspect of the airframe.
These “Weekend Editions” don’t contain any photo-etched parts, resin, or multiple colour schemes. This allows them to be priced competitively compared to other releases.
The result is a “no frills” kit that provides for a quick and simple build while still allowing the modeller to produce a quality result straight from the box.
Thanks to Eduard for the sample
Review Text and Images Copyright © 2010 by Rob Baumgartner
Page Created 9 November, 2010
Last updated
9 November, 2010
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