Eduard has issued this nice photoetch set for IBG Model’s newly released Scammell Pioneer SV2S Heavy Breakdown Tractor. IBG’s kit has very good detail, and Eduard provides many additional details to improve the quality of the model.

The photoetch is up to Eduard’s high quality standard, but there are many very small parts to deal with. I could assemble all the photoetch using super glue, and did not find soldering to be necessary. The photoetch seems to be very thin, and several pieces broke when I tried to bend them. Experience working with photoetch is highly recommended for this set. The use of a bending device tool is also very helpful for this set.

To add PE to a model, I go through the kit instructions and mark those parts that are modified by the photoetch so it can be incorporated in the normal assembly sequence. The Eduard instructions are quite clear and use different colors to designate replacement PE parts, kit parts, or areas to be removed.

The PE set includes:

• Straps for the chassis tanks and winch.
• Additional straps for the front counterweight brackets. Make sure to install these far enough back to allow clearance for the counterweights.
• Replacement steps and support brackets for the fuel tank. The brackets need to be installed low enough so the fuel tank is below the top of the chassis or the cab won’t fit properly.
• Additional framing detail on the underside of the chassis storage rack.
• Additional rear wood panel for the truck bed.
• Various brackets, hinges, and chains for the toolboxes.
• Eduard provides a bracket on the top of one of the toolboxes, part 44, that is very difficult to assemble due to the small size of the dividers, and no extras are provided for these tiny dividers.
• Replacement for the access panel on the back of the truck bed to provide wood grain and framing.
• Ladder for the access panel. The instructions show the ladder in the down position, and it should be rotated up for the closed position.
• Brackets for the interior fire extinguishers.
• Straps and bracket for the pioneer shovel.
• Storage rack on underside of cab roof. The rack seemed to fit better moved more to the center than shown on the Eduard instructions. It would have been easier to install if there were support legs on the rear also.
• Replacement panels for the hood side panels. There is a tight fold at the top of the panels. One of the fold lines is slit and only connected at the very ends. Both panels broke at the folds as I tried to make the bends.
• The set also includes a replacement for the instrument panel on the dashboard with a PE face plate and acetate film underlay for the instrument gauges. The acetate is quite dark and does not show well through the PE face plate. I painted the panel white under the acetate but the instruments still don’t show very well and are barely visible inside the cab anyway.
• Additional mud flaps are provided for the rear wheels.

Summary

This is another excellent PE set by Eduard. Soldering is not required, but some of the folds are difficult, and there are many very small parts to handle. The Eduard photoetch set provides nice additional detail, particularly to the toolboxes for the truck’s rear wood tool boxes, but is intended for more experienced modelers.

Thanks to Eduard for continuing to produce these nice photoetch sets and providing review samples to IPMS.