In recent months Eduard Models has been releasing some very useful tools for the modeler, like this series of templates. I have previously reviewed three other sets in the range: http://web.ipmsusa3.org/content/shapes-templates

This first set reviewed in this article is “Ovals and Oblong,” part number 00031, with a total of 25 shapes. There are four subsets of shapes: two oval subsets, a teardrop subset, and a circle with a flat edge subset. The last shape is very useful when scribing fuel/oil caps onto airplanes or vehicles.

The next set is “Ovals,” part number 00032, with a whopping 60 oval templates. Their dimension ranges from 1x1.8 mm to 2.8x7.6 mm. You will be hard pressed to claim there was an oval shape you couldn’t find in this template set.

This photo-etch detail set provides a higher level of detail for the relatively recent release of the Airfix A-4B kit. It contains two frets of parts. The smaller of the two is self-adhesive with some of the parts pre-painted. These parts are meant largely for the cockpit and ejection seat. The larger fret is meant to be used largely on the airframe and isn’t self-adhesive. The detail on all of the parts is crisp, as we’ve come to expect from Eduard.

Starting with the cockpit, I discovered that the set’s self-adhesive parts had run out of stickum. When I received the set, it wasn’t newly issued, so I’m assuming the adhesive has a shelf life which had run its course in the interim between IPMS receiving the set and my getting it for review. Smaller parts, such as the rudder pedals and seat belts, just fell off the backing paper when they were cut from the fret, their adhesive gone altogether.

When the Airfix Bristol Blenheim Mk I showed up on the kits available for review, I quickly put my name in the hat for it. I had seen the results of a 1/48 scale kit and was eager to try my hand and add to my RAF Battle of Britain collection.

A few paragraphs of history: The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War.

It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter. It was one of the first British aircraft to have all-metal stressed-skin construction, to utilize retractable landing gear, flaps, a powered gun turret and variable pitch propellers. A Canadian-built variant named the Bolingbroke was used as an anti-submarine and training aircraft.

Aires offers model builders a way to add some extra detail to their 1/72 Hurricane Mk.I by posing the horizontal tail surfaces is a natural deflected position. This aftermarket set (#72310) provides four resin parts that replace the two kit parts (shown in the photo below). By providing separate elevators and stabilizers, Aires permits the builder to position the movable control surfaces at any angle...often slightly drooping when the pilot leaves the control column pushed a bit forward as he exits the aircraft on the ground (which means the modeler should also position the control column slightly forward). As a bonus, the Aires parts are more accurate in shape than the kit parts and provide better detail.

Hot on the heels of their release of the British 6 Pdr Mk. IV Anti-Tank Gun (kit #RV35018) and their soon to be released kit of the U.S. M1 57mm Anti-Tank Gun (kit #RV35020), Riich Models has offered up this nice ammunition set: US M1 57mm & 6 PR 7 CWT (BR) as a companion set for their two artillery kits.

The Box

The kit comes packed in a sturdy 6-3/8” x 10-1/4” x 1-3/8” box of the (unfortunately) end-opening variety. Note to kit manufacturers: I know these end-opening type of boxes are cheaper to produce, but for what we pay for kits these days, how about a box with a lid! OK, I’m done complaining. The box ‘top’ features a nice artist’s rendering of the kit contents, which can serve as a good painting guide as well. The ‘bottom’ of the box features assembly instructions and suggested paint call-outs for the kit, in Mr. Hobby, Model Master, Humbrol and Tamiya colors, as well as a decal placement guide.