Eduard 1/48 A6M2-N Rufe Aftermarket
By Jacob Russell
Here are 4 new aftermarket sets for Eduard's A6M2-N Rufe kit. Let's take a look at them:
3DL48114 A6M2-N Rufe SPACE
Space sets combine 3D printed waterslide decals with a steel photo-etch fret. It consists of 23 parts. 16 of these are decals and the rest are photo-etched parts on a single fret. Most of these are pre-painted. The 3D decals include an instrument panel and sidewall consoles for both fuselage sides. The decals are straightforward to use: you soak the sheet in warm water for a couple of seconds until the decals slide off the backing sheet. Don't leave the decals in the water too long as this causes them to swell and distort. You can use white glue or GSI Creos (Gunze) Mr. Mark Setter to increase their adhesion and for best results apply clear gloss before attaching them.
|
644205 A6M2-N Rufe Look
Look sets combine 3D printed resin pre-painted parts with a steel photo-etch fret. It consists of 8 parts. 2 of these are resin and the rest are photo-etched parts on a single fret. All are pre-painted and these include the seat harness and a pair of instruments located below the main panel.
|
|
481109 A6M2-N Rufe landing flaps
This photo-etch set is "old school" Eduard and represents what their flap sets were like in the pre 3D printed resin Brassin days. It consists of 22 brass parts on a single fret. Getting the most from these flaps will require patience, skill, a good magnifier and a competent PE folding tool. Using these flaps requires cutting the existing flaps from the lower wing, followed by some complex PE folding. Not for the faint of heart.
|
EX934 A6M2-N Rufe TFace
TFace masks are for both the canopy's exterior and interior and this set also includes masks for the beaching trolley's wheels.
|
Eduard's A6M2-N Rufe is an accurate and well detailed kit right out of the box. These 4 aftermarket sets raise the level of that detail to another level, giving you all of the elements of a contest winning entry. I recommend these sets and I would like to thank Eduard for the review samples.
References
Mitsubishi A6M Reisen Zeke, by Dariusz Paduch, Kagero Monograph No. 73, Kagero Publishing, 2021