Eduard BRASSIN Item No. 648 080 - Bronze MiG-21 Undercarriage Legs Review by Phil Parsons

MiG-21 Bronze Undercarriage Legs

Eduard BRASSIN, 1/48 scale

S u m m a r y :
Catalogue Number:	Eduard BRASSIN Item No. 648 080 - Bronze MiG-21 Undercarriage Legs
Contents and Media:	Three bronze landing gear legs, 10 grey resin parts with a small sheet of photo etch, and instructions.
Scale:	1/48
Price:	$44.95 (15% less if you're a BFC member) + postage from Eduard
Review Type:	First Look.
Advantages:	Stronger than either plastic/resin or white metal, with the detail normally associated with resin castings.
Disadvantages:	Cost however, please read the main text with Eduard’s response to the initial cost.
Recommendation:	Great detail, with the nose wheel leg cast as one, this has to be the strongest landing gear available. I always find that getting an aircraft to sit well and not sag under its own weight on plastic landing gear difficult. Eduard are trying a different approach to white metal, and for this they should be applauded. If the demand is there, we may see other releases and hopefully a reduction in cost. Give them a go.

Reviewed by Phil Parsons

Eduard's 1/48 Bronze MiG-21 Undercarriage Legs is available online from Squadron.com

FirstLook

Well Eduard have certainly taken a different approach to providing the modeller with suitably strong yet detailed undercarriage for their MiG-21 series of aircraft. If you are concerned about the weight of your model causing the landing gear to sag over time, you would normally resort to purchasing some white metal gear. I have to admit that I find the detail on white metal to be a little “soft”, certainly not as crisp as if the same part was cast in resin.

Now I’m not sure how or what the process is for making these bronze parts, but not only do they have strength, they have the detail normally reserved for resin parts. There is, a very, and I mean very fine casting line on the parts. To see it I had to use a desk lamp and my glasses, so it may not be that noticeable once painted and assembled.
The resin gear doors and actuators are up to Eduard’s high standard, thin and well detailed. While not listed on the instructions I can only assume the best way to bond the Bronze-Resin-Plastic is with Cyanoacrylate.

Thumbnail panels:

Now onto the price. In the Eduard magazine late last year was the following comments regarding the new bronze products:

………….These are bronze landing gear legs for the MiG-21, complimented by etched details and resin. It’s an interesting and quality product, albeit a bit pricey. The price point corresponds to the low initial production run. It’s like with electronics. If something catches on, its price tends to start dropping. It will end up applying to these landing gear legs, too, if they prove popular.

Conclusion

Yes this single item is more expensive than a Weekend Edition MiG-21, but you have to start somewhere.

If manufacturers only went for the safe option that was low risk and guaranteed to make a return, the hobby would be very boring.

This product will not appeal to all however, if it does please take a look at Eduard’s new bronze castings, if there is little interest then this may be the only set made, and it will be we the modellers who will ultimately miss out.

New initiatives should be supported as who knows where they will lead to in the future.

Thanks to Eduard for the samples.

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Review Text Copyright © 2013 by Phil Parsons Page Created 2 April, 2013 Last updated 2 April, 2013

Review Text Copyright © 2013 by Phil Parsons
Page Created 2 April, 2013
Last updated 2 April, 2013