Eduard 1/48 MiG-15bis Photo Etch Sets
By Jacob Russell
Eduard recently released 4 new photo-etch sets for the Bronco/Hobby 2000 MiG-15bis kit. Let's take a look at them. They are as follows:
1) FE1178 MiG-15bis ZOOM
|
The ZOOM set is a single fret containing 31 parts, many of them pre-painted. You get upgrades like a new instrument panel, sidewall consoles, throttle quadrant, etc. The detail of the pre-painted parts is as superb as I have come to expect from Eduard.
2) FE1179 MiG-15bis seat belts STEEL
|
This simple PE set consists of 5 pre-painted parts on a VERY small fret. It includes a seat harness complete with anti-chafing pads on the lap belts.
3) 481046 MiG-15bis Landing Flaps
(Image courtesy of Eduard)
|
This is complex set, consisting of 44 parts on a single fret. This is one of Eduard's "not-for-the-faint-of-heart" flap sets. You have to file/sand down the flap area on the inner lower wing and replace it with the multi-piece etched flap assemblies. You'll need your magnifier of choice, a good PE folding tool and confidence in your modeling skills! I'm over dramatizing things: just take your time and pay close attention to Eduard's well illustrated instructions and you will be quite satisfied with the results.
4) 491178 MiG-15bis
|
|
|
This 48 piece set combines the 31 piece ZOOM set with another unpainted brass fret containing rudder pedals, ejection seat headrest, wing fences, rear canopy sliding plate, etc.
Conclusion
If you're a fan of the Bronco/Hobby 2000 MiG-15bis kit and you'd like to up the ante with significantly greater detail Eduard has you covered with these 4 PE sets. If you're daunted by the prospects of folding up the flaps and adding the wing fences you can simply opt for the ZOOM and seat belt sets. I recommend them and I would like to thank Eduard for the review samples.
References
MiG-15, all variants, Yefim Gordon, 4 + Publications, 1997