Eduard

1/48 F-16CJ Big Ed Set For the Tamiya kit

Stock Number: BIG4888

Reviewed By  Charles Landrum, IPMS# 26358

MSRP: $52.95 Review copy provided by Eduard- www.eduard.cz The Tamiya F16CJ Block 50 is a very nice kit, with a great deal of detail that far surpasses other kits of the aircraft in this scale. Even so Eduard has managed to produce PE sets that further enhance the detail already present. To save the modeler the trouble of tracking down and collecting these products, Eduard has bundled the entire PE and mask sets into a Big Ed set; at a considerable discount than if you bought the sets separately. Included in this package are: 48578 F-16CJ ladder 49383 F-16CJ Block 50 49390 F-16CJ Block 50 Undercarriage EX233 F-16CJ Block 50 mask The PE sets cover both interior and exterior details and are finely double relief etched in stainless steel; the detail is impressive. It also provides a double relief etched name plate for a model base. In addition Eduard provides a boarding ladder, which Tamiya does not.

Set 49383 encompasses both interior and exterior details including the cockpit, the engine, weapons pylons, missiles, the drop tanks and the gun. The cockpit detail includes: new console panels including multi-function displays, HUD, control stick switches, rudder pedals, grilles, canopy handle and locking mechanism and detail for one of the better injection molded ejection seats. Engine details include: afterburner ring and metal strips between the engine petals. Most of the exterior detail is comprised of small vents and stiffener plates for these heavier variants. I like the fact the plates have sunk rivet detail to match the fuselage. The gun detail included is the muzzle of the internal GAU - nice touch. The external stores detail includes: sidewinder fins and mounting bands, replacement fill caps on the tanks, and launch rail detail if you opt to leave off the missiles. A name plate. With this set and the kit parts you can essentially crowd the cockpit with sufficient detail to make it realistically busy. Most of the cockpit parts are exquisitely pre-painted allowing most modelers to achieve superior results if properly installed. Plus, few can obtain the level if marking detail provided in the set. The pre-painted seat belts are a treat and Eduard even provides a remove before flight tag for the arming device! I also like the fact that Eduard provides the missing detail if the stores are left off the pylon. Too often this areas are devoid of detail and look awkward.

Set 49390 provides replacement detail or additional detail for the wheel wells, gear doors and landing gear. Much of the landing gear details are pre-painted so you will need to properly sequence your assembly and painting. Details provided include: Replacement nose gear and main gear doors in two parts - inner and outer. Main wheel well - surface detail for the machined cross-members that support the main landing gear, surface detail for the overhead, an electronic box, the sills, and hydraulic lines and electrical cabling (both pre-painted). Nose wheel well detail - hydraulic lines and electrical cabling (both pre-painted). Gear detail - hydraulic lines and electrical cabling (both pre-painted), oleo scissors. The main benefit of this set is the etched hydraulic lines and electrical cables, which are not only pre-measured and bent, but also pre-painted and therefore can be installed after the well and landing gear are painted. They look a little flat in profile, but are convincing enough. If you prefer to run wire yourself you will not see the need for this set. I don't see the benefit of the replacement gear doors or some of the surface detail.

Set 48578 provides a detailed boarding ladder for the model. The detail again is double relief etched and the assembly sequence is simple enough. It will add a nice visual touch and is more true to scale than similar injection molded ladders that I have seen. Set EX233 provides all of the required masks. Typical to Eduard, these masks are the boundary of a larger area to mask and the modeler will need to use tape or liquid mask to fill. In addition to the canopy, masks are included for the main and nose wheel hubs. What I almost forgot to mention are the teardrop and hex shaped holes etched into the fret of all of these PE sets. The shapes can be used to extrude tear drop and hex shapes details from melted sprue. If you carefully slice with sharp knife or fine saw, you can make landing lights, small sensor bumps and hex bolt heads. It is a great idea that results in free 3D details and expands your detailing possibilities. In summary, Eduard provides quite a bit of detail in this Big Ed set, more that most are likely to use. But if you are a fan of the F-16, these sets should help meet your desire to add the most detail possible. Recommended.

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.