Eduard continues releases for Revell/Monograms 1/48 PBY-5A with a set designed to enhance the floats. This set is one large photoetch brass sheet with 39 pieces dominated by large sheets to be added to the floats. While some of the other PE sets are specifically for the "-5A" version, this looks like it will fit the "-5" also.

The kits has quite good detail in most places but one place it is lacking is the floats on each wing tip. The bays that the floats fold into is devoid of any detail. Also, one die of the floats has very fine detail while the other side is again devoid of detail. These two deficiencies by providing full details for the floats bays and the floats themselves.

The first thing to mention is that this set requires no surgery to add- it is simply added to the kit after joining the floats and building the wings. Each wing tip bay gets full coverage on the bay bottom and the interior sides.. the wing tips themselves also get added and small detail parts are added making the wing more accurate than in kit form alone.

The floats get the same treatment with one side receiving a completely new covering with multiple bends. IO glued these down in sections and used clamps until the glue set firmly. Small details were added to the interior section and the floats were set aside.

The last details were the hinges on the float retraction arm which are added in a snap and this part of the PE is done.

While this kit is smaller than most, it adds a great deal of enhancement to the kit that does not exist. It covers parts which were missed in production, fits well and adds realism. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Eduard and to IPMS/USa for the opportunity to review this great set. If you are building a PBY, this set is a must.