F4F Cockpit
with reflector gunsight for Eduard kit

Eduard BRASSIN PRINT, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Eduard has released ten new upgrade and accessory sets for their debut 1/48 scale F4F-3 Wildcat.

The first set under review today is Item No. 648 777 - F4F Cockpit with Reflector Gunsight.'

This set comprises nine parts in grey 3D printed resin, one pre-coloured photo-ctched fret with 28 parts, one printed clear acetate sheet and instructions.

The kit cockpit is very nicely done and will look great whether painted up or in conjunction with the included colour photo-etch, but this 3D printed replacement goes to places that conventional injection moulded plastic simply cannot.

This thing is a work of art.

The cockpit floor and rear bulkhead are printed as a single sub-assenbly. The seat mount is cast in place too.

The floor is even more see-through than the kit counterpart, and fabric texture for the control column boot plus hydraulics and cables add even more to the realistic picture.

The oxygen bottle is cast to the floor behind the bulkhead too.

Two instrument panels are supplied.

One is blank in preparation for the colour photo-etched panels, while the second features crisply printed raised and recessed detail.

Individual dial decals are supplied for the latter option. A clear acetate sheet is supplied for the gunsight reflectors.

At the risk of repeating myself, the side consoles are beautiful.

Each is cast in one piece with all the switches and detail cast in place.

The rudder pedals look fantastic with subtle non-slip texture, springs and the lower auxiliary panels all printed into this single sub-assembly.

The seat features nice raised detail too.

In addition to the instrument panel, the colour photo-etched fret includes early and late harness straps plus smaller detail parts.

Cleanup of the 3D printed parts should be fast and straightforward using a pair of nippers, a sharp hobby blade and a sanding stick.

Instructions are supplied on two folded paper sheets.

The Mona Lisa of after market cockpits? Perhaps. This is truly a thing of beauty.

Eduard has picked up the 3D printing baton and sprinted away. 3D printing is perfect for these relatively low quantity but complex-shaped and high quality accessories. I predict that we will be seeing many more of these mixed media offerings from Eduard in the future.

This gorgeous cockpit will be the jewel in the crown of your brand new 1/48 scale F4F-3 Wildcat.

Thanks to Eduard for the samples.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2022 by Brett Green
Page Created 10 August, 2022
Last updated 10 August, 2022

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page