Eduard 1/72 Zoom Photoetch for Airfix Mosquito B Mk.XVI
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Overview
The new-tool Airfix 1/72 Mosquito B. Mk. XVI is a very welcome new Mosquito kit as it is the first Mosquito with two-stage Merlin engines. So it is no surprise that Eduard has come out with photoetch for the kit in short order. Their Zoom set is the perfect choice for adding a bit of extra detail without needing a lot of extra work.
The Photoetch
As we have come to expect from Eduard Zoom sets, this set provides loads of cockpit details. The two seats get the usual seatbelt treatment, with both lap and shoulder belts. You will have to cut a notch in one seat for the shoulder belts, but that’s the only modification needed on those. With the easy part done with, the rest of the set will add details but will require some extra part removal on the kit parts.
***image1**The instrument panel is next, with all the molded-in detail needing to be removed before the photoetch panel can be applied. This is a two-part panel, so it will be an easy one to assemble. There is a single three-arm piece as well, giving the panel a bit of depth. The left fuselage half gets loads of extra details, including throttles, control wheels, and radio boxes and shelves. The right fuselage side gets more radio boxes and instrumentation, as well as a storage basket and associated pieces. The rear of the cockpit gets some additional boxes, further adding to the total detail of the cockpit.
Conclusion
While there is some extra work involved in using this set, for the most part it is a pretty simple one to do and will add considerably to the detail of the cockpit. My thanks to Eduard for the review sample. Visit their website for this and other options for the Airfix Mosquito.