Eduard’s latest release for the Revell 1/48 PV-1 is a complete cockpit set which includes two frets. One of the frets is colorized and contains a new instrument panel and backing, seat belts, and lots of placards, panel faces, and levers for the cockpit. The second fret is standard metal with details for the gun turret, bottom gun, and other cockpit details, and is beautifully relief-etched.

Starting with the seats, you need to remove the molded-in belts and paint the seats. There are also some brackets for the pilot’s seat. Once added and painted, the belts really make the seat look great. The cockpit is next, and here there are three places to sand flat – the instrument panel, the front of the main console, and the console between the seats. Easy stuff and it sets up for the addition of the PE parts. One choice I made here was not to use the PE levers for the engine controls. They definitely are more scale correct in thickness but they also bump off easily. After fitting the canopy, you can barely see them and so, in the interests of transporting the model, they were left off. Before adding the colored PE parts, I added the plain metal parts, then primed and painted the cockpit interior green. Once dry, I flat-coated for protection and then used CA for adding the colored parts. These parts already do have the SA adhesive and stick well, but I found that a little CA makes it even more permanent. I added the instrument panel, radio, and main control panels and they fit great and make a world of difference. I also added the levers to the front of the main panel. I skipped using the PE rudder controls. Again, they are more accurate but invisible when viewed through the glass.

For the top turret, I used the gun belts, armored guard, and lots of the miscellaneous parts. The ammunition holders were more detailed but they were not visible, so I used the kit plastic instead. The bottom gun was detailed and the belts and ammo holder make nice additions which you can see through the glass.

This is a great set and the detail it adds to the cockpit is great. The instrument panel is a work of art and shows nicely. Fit is excellent and requires minimal effort to install. The seat belts are also superb and add a lot of realism to the kit. Eduard’s interior SA set is highly recommended! My thanks to Eduard and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this set.