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Eduard 1/72 Airfix B-17G Photoetch

By Matt Bittner

When Airfix released their new-tool B-17G a year-or-so ago, it was received with open arms. It truly is a very nice kit and can be built out-of-the-box and look great. But like anything in the modeling world, everything can be enhanced and naturally Eduard jumped in at the beginning. They have released five photoetch sets for this aircraft and those sets are:

72 631 B-17G Exterior Eduard provides a separate photoetch set for the outside of the model. Included here are pieces for the inside of the engine cowls; straps to add to the fuel tanks; items for the wings’ leading edges; ignition wires for the engines; wiring for the landing gear; new “hubs” for the kit’s tires; windshield wipers; and other panels for the exterior of the model.
73 567 B-17G Cockpit Interior This set contains everything for the cockpit, minus the seat belts (and you’ll understand why as you read further). It contains replacement seats with the support structure; additions to the front console that includes replacement rudder pedals, throttle quadrant, instrument panel, etc.; additions to the various bulkheads and sidewall detail; additions to the front, forward gun turret; and additions to the top of the canopy.
73 568 B-17G Seatbelts STEEL As was mentioned above, the other photoetch sets don’t come with seatbelts because of this set, which contains all belts for all seats throughout the entire aircraft. This makes sense because if you want seatbelts but don’t want to add any of the other photoetch, then all you need is this set.
73 569 B-17G Rear Interior Like the title of this set states, this set is for the back-end interior of the model. Items included on this set includes a replacement door, which can be left opened; replacement radio equipment, along with other items for both sides of all bulkheads; sidewall detail for all stations; replacement muzzles for the guns along with other items to add to their breaches; and other bits and bobs to add to the rear of the model, including a replacement gun sight for the tail gunner.
73 570 B-17G Front Interior While 73 567 concentrated on the cockpit this set is for all the other areas at the front of the model. This includes additions to the nose, bombardier compartment; replacement doors; additions to the front turret; replacement muzzles for the guns along with other items for their breaches; additions to the bomb sight; and other bits and bobs.
CX464 B-17G Masks Not only do you receive masks for all the clear parts but Eduard also provides masks for the wheels.
SS567 B-17G Zoom This is the same pre-colored set included in the 73 567 thta includes items like a replacement instrument panel as well as other colored bits-and-bobs to add to the cockpit. Definitely use this set if only wanting a little bit of extra detail in your B-17G cockpit.

By using all these photoetch pieces you will have one heck of a model on your hands. Granted, it will take some time to add it all but once you have, it will be a stunning model.

My thanks to Eduard for sending these sets to review.