Eduard offers their photoetch in a couple different formats for those that haven’t had the pleasure. They offer the Big Ed sets which are full meal which include multiple frets, masking sets and many, many parts for those that want the ultimate detail on their kits. They also offer the sets in groups which include multiple frets for specific areas such as interiors, wheel wells or exteriors. Lastly, they offer “Zoom” sets which are one fret of colored photoetch to address, usually, cockpits. This set is one of the latter and addresses the kind of barren cockpit in HobbyBoss 1/48 A-6E TRAM kit which is already a wonderful kit. The set consists of one colored photoetch fret with excellent instructions which included a multipart instrument panel, multiple parts for the ejection seats including belts and other parts to address the side instrument panels and boxes.

For starting construction, I started with the seats from the kit. Only two parts need trimmed off, the top ejection handle and the sides to the head rest. From there, 14 parts are added to the seats. Paint the seat first before adding to the photoetch as they are pre-colored and not mask able. I sprayed the seats black and then added the photoetch to the seats which included new ejection handles, warning labels and new pull rings to name a few. It was then time to add the seat belts- two lap and two shoulder harnesses. There are made from 18 parts and included multiple bends to replicate buckles and the tabs. A very good set of tweezers is your best friend along with a way to prevent droppage. Some of the parts are microscopic and have bends. My best suggestion is to take your time and work only with one set of loose parts at a time. In the end, the seat belts and harnesses are added and really make the seas into excellent representations of the actual thing.

The cockpit tub is addressed next and this requires sanding off all instrument faces molded into the tub and associated panels. I use a coarse sanding stick and then follow with a medium grade and this is done fairly quickly. I then paint the cockpit tub and let dry. The photoetched instrument panels can then be added followed by the control sticks. The throttles can also be added but take your time as they are small also. I usually add Zip Kicker to the throttle base and then add a small amount of glue to the sticks and hold until attached. The rear panel between the pilots has a folded box on it and the plastic parts also need painted black. The same with the other box. Don’t got get the sides to the cockpit as Eduard also includes parts for the starboard side panels. All the kit parts can be glued on and then flat coated and weathered to the modelers taste.

Last but certainly not least, the instrument panel is addressed starting with removal of the raised instruments. The panel is pretty much sanded smooth and painted gray followed by layers panels to build up depth. I flat coated the panel at that time and the used gloss on the instrument dials and transparent green for the CRT’s. There are also parts added on the instrument coaming. Which is then painted black.

The final results are wonderful with extra detail added to the entire cockpit. I taped it into the kit and it really makes the cockpit look wonderfully busy. Highly recommended to all modelers as this set is great value and really enhances a great kit. It is also a good set for the novice photoetch builder as there are just a few bends.

My thanks to Eduard for the opportunity to review this set.