The Kitty Hawk AH-1Z is a welcome addition for helicopter fans. It is a highly detailed model that comes with its own photo etch parts. So can Eduard add to that? Let’s see.

Packaged in a resealing package, the photo etch parts are brass, and this set is designed for the exterior of the model. The instructions are typical Eduard instructions. They are very easy to understand and read. Now what about the photo etch itself?

Interestingly, Eduard produces the same parts as the kit offers. The Eduard vents and intakes are slightly finer than the kit offerings. It will be up to the modeler if they want to use the kit or the Eduard parts. There is a lot more to offer than the vents and intakes. The primary things that are included are a new avionics bay for the left ammo bay opening. These are more accurate than the Kitty Hawk plastic ones. I did like the photo etch chaff dispensers better than the kit plastic ones. The other parts that I really liked was the ammo bay front and back wall with a representative ammo box for the right side. This was missed by Kitty Hawk and myself. This will take care of that should you decide to have the ammo bay open. The ammo doors are quite nice.

The engine compartment gets some photo etch love as well. If you decide to open up the engine cowlings, I recommend doing the left side. This set provides an oil level sight glass, as well as, the work platform for the door. Also the door latches are provided on the firewalls.

There are various panels that Eduard would have you remove and replace with photo etch. That is up to the modeler to decide whether or not to add them. One thing that is nice is the inclusion of the ‘slime’ lights.

Eduard has done a nice job on this set. There is also an interior set and a canopy mask set for the Kitty Hawk kit. The photo etch is perfect and finer than the kit photo etch. It is nice to have and the option of the open doors and cowlings which to me is the selling point of this set. Another superb job of photo etch from Eduard.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Eduard and IPMS/USA for the review copy. You can obtain yours by contacting Eduard at https://www.eduard.com or your local hobby shop or online retailer.