Part 1: First Look

MSRP: $29.95 Website: www.eduard.cz The newest Eduard release for the Trumpeter Hellcat covers the later variants and includes a whopping 140 pieces to detail the cockpit area of your Hellcat. A full 70 pieces are on the color sheet, including seat belts, buckles placards and the instrument panel. A new twist is that the entire color fret sits on a piece of waxy paper as the parts are self-adhesive - Eduard includes a separate instruction sheet on how to use them. The color printing is crisp and in 1/32 scale, the embossed details on the switches and dials really stands out. Some modelers will no doubt add other dials and switches to enhance what is already there. I must applaud Eduard for their application of the adhesive since it has not been applied to things such as the seat belts and buckle and the throttle quadrant - all items that will require and handling or bending to assemble. Flat pieces like panel covers or the instrument panel do have adhesive and it should make the application to a smooth surface easier. I am not sure of the holding power on the self-adhesive parts - time will tell when I actually apply the parts to plastic. The balance of the sheet is filled with larger parts to detail the sides and rear bulkhead, including several wiring/piping runs. The addition of a clear acetate sheet to represent the armored glass of the windshield will add to the look of the completed model although it will be tricky to get right. All in all a comprehensive set that will add a lot of detail to the cockpit of the Hellcat. Thanks to Eduard for the review sample and I can't wait to get started!

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