F-5E Update Set (for AFV Club)

[Mike]

F-5E Update Set (for AFV Club)

1:48 Eduard

The newly tooled F-5E was much anticipated by many modellers, and when it arrived it was no disappointment. You can always improve things though, and Eduard have set about that task with vigour, releasing this comprehensive set for the AFV Club kit.

There are two frets of Photo-Etch (PE) in the familiar Eduard packaging, plus a small sheet of clear onto which the shape for the HUD is printed. A set of color instructions is sandwiched between the two card stiffening pieces, detailing all the construction steps, with a helpful key removing the need for much in the way of description.

The smaller fret is pre-painted and has Eduard's handy pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back, which makes the job of positioning and gluing the parts much easier. This fret is mainly for the cockpit area, and contains copious parts for the ejection seat, including a full set of belts, and details for the arched part of the canopy over the pilot's head.

The cockpit sidewalls receive extra parts, fully utilising the more accurate scale thickness of PE. The rear bulkhead and turtle deck behind the pilot receive significant upgrades, and a full set of instrument panels and side consoles is also supplied in full color. The cockpit sill receives a one-piece lip, which is a necessity if you are planning on posing the canopy open.

A great many of the remaining unpainted parts are used in upgrading the wheel bays, with detailed sidewalls, and additional ribbing. The main bay doors also get a new inner surface, which laminates onto the kit doors, and the main gear legs receive brake hosing, as does the nose leg.

The canopy gets a full set of framing, which includes those often neglected rear-view mirrors, and the few final parts go to upgrading the look of the weapons and additional fuel tanks.

You can view the full instruction sheet here for further information.

Conclusion

Another great set from Eduard, giving those finishing touches to a good kit. The set covers those areas that usually draw attention, whilst adding subtle but important details elsewhere.

Review sample courtesy of