Eduard 1/72 Special Hobby P-40N Aftermarket
By Matt Bittner
While the older kits, namely Academy, of the P-40N in 1/72 are decent enough, there is always room for improvement. And that's what Special Hobby did with their new-tool P-40N. It's more accurate and the detail is far better.
Be that as it may, though and naturally, there is always room for improvement. And that's where these Eduard sets come into play. Eduard has released a few aftermarket sets for the Special Hobby 1/72 P-40N and we take a look at three.
First is the set of masks, CX498. Naturally the masks contain pieces for all sections of the canopy, but Eduard also provides masks for the wheels and tires, depending on how you want to paint. Also included are masks for the tailwheel.
Next is the "full" set of photoetch. On this fret you'll find pieces for the cockpit: a fold-up seat along with seat belts and the backing armor and head rest; once you sand the kit's instrument panel and cut off the rudder pedals from that, then you'll add Eduard's four-piece pre-painted instrument panel and fold-up rudder pedals; there are additions to both cockpit sidewalls, that include a replacement throttle assembly, various wires and other items; finally there is a rear-view mirror for the inside of the windscreen. For the exterior Eduard includes parts for the nose "vents"; replacement fins for the bombs; grills for the nose intakes; wiring for the cockpit floor on the upper wing piece; fold-up, landing gear wells; brake cables for the main landing gear; and replacement vents for the nose exhaust channel and mounting brackets for the external fuel tank.
Finally Eduard has released a Zoom set which is the smaller photoetch fret and normally just for the interior. Included on this fret is the fold-up seat, seat belts and backing armor for the seat; the items for the kit's instrument panel; various cockpit side-wall detail; wiring for the cockpit floor; the mirror for the windscreen; and finally the mounting brackets for the external fuel tank.
Depending on the amount of detail you want on your Special Hobby 1/72 P-40N will decide which set you pick up. However, as with all masks, I definitely think these are a necessity and will speed up the completion of your model.
My thanks to Eduard for sending these review sets.