Eduard’s self-adhesive photoetch set for AFV Club’s F-5F Tiger II is yet another work of art in a long line of exquisite detail sets from the Czech manufacturer of model kits and accessories.

Two PE frets – one color with self-adhesive on some parts, and the other in bare metal – provide the modeler with over a hundred parts to make the already-solid AFV kit really “pop.”

As with all of Eduard’s comprehensive “S.A.” sets, the cockpit is the focal point. Instrument panel, side consoles, rudder pedal, ejection seat, and canopy rails and frames are superbly recreated in quarter scale, and fit the kit like a proverbial glove. The pre-painted instrument panels, console surfaces, and harnesses immediately draw the eye and provide a clear “wow” factor. Although the AFV kit has strong cockpit detail to begin with, the Eduard enhancement really makes it a centerpiece of the model.

Anyone who’s seen or even heard about the new Tamiya Yamato knows that this is one of the largest, most complex model kits yet to hit the hobby store shelves. So it almost goes without saying that this new super detail set from Lion Roar would be equally large and complex. Using the bulk of this set, or even a portion of it, is not for the faint of heart.

Plus Model has made a living providing us with little odds and ends of resin to liven up our modeling projects, and this is just such an item. From their Easy Line, the six pieces in the poly bag require minimum work. Molded in gray resin are a table top, 4 legs, and a 3-legged stool. The table is like a kitchen table, with drawers for utensils. It would seem a better choice for a seat would be kitchen chairs, but these are available as a separate kit.

The stool in my sample had all three legs bent over, like someone had taken the stool out of the mold and popped it right in the bag. Looked like a spider that had been stepped on. This would be my first challenge, and after sawing off the resin plug from the stool top, I held the stool under some hot water from the tap. Like a miracle, the legs softened and they straightened out.

The table legs were not a tight fit, so I used 5-minute epoxy. This gave some wiggle room to make sure all legs were aligned.