Eduard's new-tool Wildcat is beautifully detailed throughout, but there's no option to build it with the wing gun bays open. That's now possible with a beautifully detailed 3D-printed upgrade set.
The set arrives in a neat flip-top box with plenty of soft foam to protect the parts in their zip-lock bags.
The upgrade comprises:
18 x grey 3D-printed parts
10 x etched brass parts
The level of detail and finesse on the gun bays and the .50 calibre guns and their ammunition feeds is quite superb, and it really demonstrates the benefits of 3D-printing - i.e. where traditional resin-cast parts would have moulding lines to clean up and flashed-over holes to open before use, here everything is basically ready to go. All you need to do is remove the pieces carefully from their supporting lattice of thin struts and tidy up any visible stubs.
The etched fret provides the lip inside the openings in the wing onto which the full-sized access panels were mounted. The 3D-printed panels are realistically thin an detailed inside and out.
The apparent simplicity of this upgrade for use doesn't mean it will be a suitable for real beginners. Success depends on some precise surgery on the kit's wings to open up the access panels; there are no guidelines on the inside of the wing parts and, basically, if you mess this stage up and you've probably ruined the kit.
I'd recommend working slowly and carefully, drilling small pilot holes inside the perimeter of the access panels and joining them up with a fresh scalpel blade. Then use a fine file to work your way out to the engraved panel lines.
Once everything's ready, construction actually looks like it should be pretty straightforward for anyone with some experience of working with resin or 3D-printed parts.
Eduard have produced a clearly illustrated set of instructions that break assembly down into 8 stages, with colour call-outs for Gunze Sanyo paints.
Conclusion
Eduard have done a fine job with the gun bays for their Wildcat. The set is beautifully designed and produced, and will definitely offer some impressive "eye candy" for the kit. It will be perfect for adding extra interest in a servicing vignette - just be sure you're confident undertaking the surgery needed to fit it.
Item #648793 is available now from Eduard - Price: £10.48
Many thanks to Eduard for the review sample.
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