Eduard

1/32 P-47D-20 Thunderbolt 'Big Ed' For the Trumpeter kit

Stock Number: 3622

Reviewed By  Rick Bellanger, IPMS# 35220

MSRP: $120 Website: www.eduard.cz The Eduard Big Ed Set for the 1/32nd P-47D is just what it says, it's a BIG photo-etch set, for the Trumpeter P-47D-20 Razorback. It will provide just about everything one would need to build a highly detailed version of this plane and MORE. The Big Ed Set includes 6 different photo-etch sets plus a masking set for the canopy. I will go over each set individually and give my comments for each as we go along. · JX070 P-47D-20 Thunderbolt 1/32 (canopy mask) · 32194 P-47D Thunderbolt gun bay · 32195 P-47D-20 Thunderbolt exterior · 32196 P-47D Thunderbolt engine · 32197 P-47D Thunderbolt wheel wells · 32611 P-47D Thunderbolt placards self adhesive · 32613 P-47D-20 Thunderbolt interior self adhesive There are a couple of things to do before you start on your project. The first is to make sure you have the right version of the P-47. I thought I did and after reviewing the photoetch set found I had the wrong model kit. I had a Bubble Top instead of the Razorback. Nowhere on the Big Ed Set does it state a Razorback version. I found out later that the -20 means just that. Second and this is highly suggested- go to the Eduard Web site and download the PDF instructions they provide. If you have access to a color printer PRINT them. The color instructions from the Web site are by far easier to read and follow than the ½ size, black and white ones provided in the sets. I noticed that this is a trend they have been doing on their newer stuff, probably a cost saving measure to save some money on printing services. It will take about 19 sheets to print everything out but well worth it. I told you this was a BIG set. The most important step is to READ ALL instructions and PLAN your build! You will vary the assembly steps according to the instructions and have to paint a lot of things too. Again I cannot emphasize this enough READ ALL instructions and PLAN your build! I guess if you have one of those new photo-etch bending machines it would make life a little easier. I just used the good old straight edge and single razor blade to do most of mine. A miniature pair of duckbill pliers is a great tool to have around too. Now for the review. JX070 P-47D-20 Thunderbolt 1/32 (canopy mask) Not too much to say about this set, everything fits like it's suppose too. My only complaint is that it only provides one side of the canopy. I masked the inside with one large piece of tape to cover everything. I then painted the outside black first than painted the outside color Olive Green. By painting black first at least the framing on the inside will show glossy but at least it shows something. 32194 P-47D Thunderbolt gun bay There are 3 photo-etch sheets in this set. I guess they can be used for all the P-47's that Trumpeter produces. You first start by detailing the guns with a lot of little pieces. Then you proceed to the gun bays themselves. You will have to cut and remove some stuff in the bays. You add new walls all around and dividers between each gun plus a bunch of bracing, and rods and things. The ammo belts are next (which are REALLY nice) and then you add ammo chutes to each gun. Next you make new access doors for both the gun bay and the ammo bay. You finish by adding shell casing chutes on the bottom of each wing.

32195 P-47D-20 Thunderbolt exterior There are 2 sheets to this set. One is basically used for the ordnance and the other for the plane. Again this sheet could probably used on all the Trumpeter P-47's. Engine oil coolers are replaced with nice photo-etch parts. You will also install a screen in the turbo charger section that you will never see unless you open the airplane up. I left this part out. You are given some nice hinge detail pieces for the flaps, ailerons, elevators and rudder. You are also given some end pieces for the flaps (make sure you sand the edges otherwise they will not fit). The turbo exhaust discharge can either be built open or closed. They are real nice looking and scaleish (new word). The ordnance details are nice. New strapping for the bazookas with a bunch of detail parts to go on the outside of them. The fuel tanks have new fill ports and new securing devices. The bombs have new fins (very scaleish in appearance) and detonator parts. They too come with new securing details. I have to confess I did not use the bombs provided by Trumpeter but used some resin ones. I did detail these with the photo-etch parts.

32196 P-47D Thunderbolt engine You get 2 sheets in this one. I have to confess I deviated from the instructions on this one. I just couldn't get the oil cooler flaps to do what they were suppose to do so I used the kit flaps in their place and left them attached to the engine cowling. You start by putting in new screens and strapping on the turbo intakes (a part you will never see unless you remove the cowling). You will replace and install new actuators for the engine cowling flap. You are provided new electrical wiring for the cylinders and cooling deflectors (this is what I call them) for each. If you plan on leaving the cowling off or an access door open these parts will certainly enhance one of the nicest engine compartments ever made on a model. The last step is for the engine air-cooling doors (cowling flaps). This step beat me and I ended up using the kit ones with some of the detail parts added to them.

32197 P-47D Thunderbolt wheel wells 2 sheets are in this one. The first is new gear doors (more scaleish in appearance) and the second is new walls and detail parts for the gear bays. Again read all instructions before you start on this one. I left the wings off and built the bays, then when I tried to install the wings some parts got in the way. The instructions show the wings off, but I see no reason for this, now that I have built it and if I were to do it again, I would first install the wings. New plumbing and gear walls go all around the bays. Follow the guide closely and you should not have any problems. You build new gear doors that are really nice and very scaleish. Brake lines and details finish the main gear legs. The tail wheel and well receive some additional details.

32611 P-47D Thunderbolt placards self adhesive One sheet of very nicely printed and color placards for the aircraft. They are self-adhesive and require no glue (at least that what' suppose to happen). I ended up using a tiny bit of ACC to hold them in place. This sheet is kind of redundant because a lot of the placards for the cockpit are included in the interior set. So you get a bunch of extras. You do get signs for the wheel wells, landing gear and gear doors. Also included are signs for the ammo doors and engine front. These are really the only ones you would use. 32613 P-47D-20 Thunderbolt interior self adhesive The final set in this review are the interior sets. You get 2 sheets one colored and the other cockpit interior parts. Again read the illustrations and instructions before you start and set a plan to follow. You will need to scrape and remove some details from the kit parts to install this set. You start by removing detail and adding photo-etch to the side walls. Again follow your plan; you will have to scrape/remove detail than paint than add detail. The floor and rear bulkhead are next. The instrument cluster and panel are next. You will be adding new rudder pedals, instrument panel and gun site. Painting is made easy with the colored parts provided. Love them for this. You get to build a new seat and add the color photo-etch belts to it. A very nice addition to the look of the cockpit. Canopy hardware and new rear view mirrors conclude this set.

My humble opinion of this Big Ed Set is as follows. It is a very highly detailed set that will enhance your model to a higher degree. It replaces some of the kit parts with better details and scaleish appearance and dimensions. It provides color renditions with finer quality than one can paint with a brush. I love the idea of the actual color of the photo-etch parts (silver) being able to fit in with the natural metal finish of the model (that is if you do a natural metal finish model). There are few drawbacks. A lot of the detail cannot be seen, especially in the gun bay and wheel well area. If you decide to build the kit with the gun bay closed than the detail set is not needed. In my opinion a lot of the kit-supplied detail is very nice and with proper painting and weathering the detail will come out and be comparable with the Eduard Details. Another factor would be the cost. Squadron lists it for $108. It will tax you nervous system with all the small parts that need to be bent and shaped to fit. Let alone be glued to the appropriate spot and not attached somewhere else I would only recommend this set to some one that has experience working with the tiny parts, the ability to handle photo-etch bending and handling of ACC glue. If you want the challenge to do the ultimate P-47D-20 than by all means this set should be on the top of your list. It is beautiful and packs a lot for the buck. Thank you, IPMS/USA for the opportunity and the challenge to build it and to Eduard for providing a set of this magnitude and beauty for us to review.