Eduard 1/48 Big Ed MiG-23 Flogger Set
|
 |
The Italeri 1/48 MiG-23 is a re-pop of the old ESCI kit, and on the
surface it is not too bad a kit. It does show its age, though, when it
comes to detailing, and the latest Big Ed set from Eduard handles that
with panache. This set contains four photoetch sets and one mask set,
enabling you to take your MiG-23 to a significantly higher level.
Starting with the interior set, this is a pre-painted set, capturing
that garish blue-green interior color quite nicely. This set provides
almost a 100% replacement for the cockpit and seat, which is good as the
original kit had little useful to keep. For the seat, this starts out
with a seatback extension, then new side pieces, a new lower cushion,
new handles and side details, foot troughs, and a complete set of seat
belts. You will want to pay close attention to the instructions here,
as there are quite a few pieces used with some complex folds, but the
end result will be infinitely better than the original seat.
 The
cockpit tub is completely replaced as well. While I did not make a direct
comparison, I am guessing that this tub is deeper than the kit part, to
make room for the properly sized seat. This assembly includes a main tub,
a rear bulkhead, and separate sidewall details. A new instrument panel,
rudder pedals, and gunsight round out this interior assembly. For the
canopy, there are rail details and rear view mirrors.
Moving to the exterior set, this is a set that includes no less than
three photoetch frets. You get a whole new nose gear well, with extensive
detailing throughout, as well as details for the nose gear itself. The
gear doors are also replaced, and the replacements are nicely detailed.
There are various surface details and improvements, but the main gear
treatment is truly impressive. The instructions show how to reposition
the main gear to have the proper angle, which will greatly improve the
stance of your Flogger. The main gear wells receive extensive interior
detailing, while the doors are replaced entirely. The air intakes are
also heavily reworked, with replacement splitter plates and blow-in doors.
Various antennae and other finery finish out the exterior set.
Separate from the exterior set is the third part of this collection,
and it provides nothing but the MiG-23 exhaust pipe. This is such a huge
improvement over the kit piece that it makes up for its complex assembly.
Be ready for quite a bit of rolling and folding here, but the end result
will be a deep exhaust pipe with nicely detailed interior and exterior
petals.
Finally, we come to the last set. This set is a weaponry upgrade, but
it is not really an upgrade but more of an outright replacement. You will
have to do some scratchbuilding with this one, as this set provides all
the fins and details for the missiles, while the modeler has to provide
the missile bodies themselves. The instructions provide precise measurements
for those missile bodies, though, so as long as you have a good supply
of the proper diameter round stock, the rest will be simple. As for the
assembly, Eduard has really outdone themselves here. For each missile
type (you get the R-60 and the R-73 here), they have provided a photoetch
alignment tool that will slide onto your missile body. Once in place,
you can then fit the fins in place and ensure that they are all properly
aligned with one another. The result will be some outstanding missiles
that would look good by themselves, and even better hanging under your
MiG-23.
If you are planning on building just one MiG-23 for your collection,
this Big Ed set would be an essential part of that model. The research
put into these sets is extensive, and while you will be folding and bending
for what seems to be ages, the end result will be a very attractive Flogger.
My thanks to Eduard for the review sample.
|
|
