Eduard''s latest Limited Edition offering in 1/48th is a re-box of Hasgawa''s A-4 Skyhawk, with a couple of added Eduard extras. Andy brazier takes a quick scoot (sorry couldn''t help that pun lol) over the parts.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Andy,
An excellent review for sure.

I came to the same conclusions and posted that a few weeks ago after I got my kit. I was pretty disappointed what was included for $80 when the Hasegawa kit sells for $38. The wheels and intake/exhaust were two areas that really needed to be addressed, which Eduard did, but felt that we had to pay additional for those parts. Needless to say I'm using the kit parts for my build. I was also disappointed with the decal sheet. 6 different aircraft but no stenciling. After all, there are only enough decals to do one complete aircraft, so what's the point of the rest of the decals. Half as many choices and a stencil sheet would have been the preferred way to go.

I've got Eduard's Danger Zone F-14A which contains just about everything they offer for the Hobby Boss kit, so I really didn't think to much of what wasn't listed for this release. Believe me, I've learned my lesson, and won't be buying any more re-boxing from Eduard's unless it's exactly what I want.

Joel

Eduard really didn't drop the ball with this release. It's more the fact that they've had to pay a premium for the Hasegawa plastic. Witness the boxings of the F-104 Starfighter. Those kits also contain a minimum of photoetch and resin. No Burner cans no tires.

In contrast to the kits containing Academy (F-4), HobbyBoss (F-14), or Kinetic (F-16) plastic where you get the full meal deals of Brassin wheels, burner cans, seats, masks, photoetch, and big Furball designed and Cartograph printed decals sheets.

So these latter kits contain the full complement of aftermarket except for weapons stores.

I do have a Vietnam Scooters kit on the way and I'm looking forward to getting it. However I will be spending extra for the Eduard Brassin tires and the Scooter weapons set which includes 3 MERs. I've been a member of Eduard's Bunny Fighter Club for a couple of years now so I order direct, but I buy enough items to qualify for free shipping. Not hard to do since there's always something Eduard offers that I need.

Here's hoping Eduard will continue their Vietnam War theme and offer up the Hobby Boss A-6A Intruder in a "Going Downtown" boxing with correct Brassin GRU-5 seats and a Hasegawa F-8 Gunslinger.

Already I've got the Mig-21's with Vietnamese Air Force markings.

John,
I opted for the straight Academy F4 kits, as there just isn't much AM needed in all honesty. The kits are that good. I do have the Danger Zone F-14A kit which wasn't exactly cheap, but has all that is necessary to build a well detailed model.

As for the AF limited edition offering, we're talking about a general retail price of $38 for the Hasegawa kit. The decals are superb, but incomplete with hardly any stencils. Do we really need 6 options? I find it hard to believe that Eduard didn't include the intake/tube/exhaust, and wheels because of the cost of the Hasegawa kit. They're selling it for $80. The only other cost is the Cartograf decals which they now use for all their kits, as most manufactures do. their Resin seat and PE fret cost them next to nothing. Honestly, the kit is way over priced for what you get.

Joel

Joel I understand your feelings but over this side of the pond the Eduard kit makes more sense as the Hasegawa kit retails between £35 - 49 depending on version while the Eduard kit is £49 (cheaper if a Bunny Club member). Kits this side of the pond tend to be the same cost figure wise as the US but with a £ pound sign instead of a $ dollar.
So the base Hasegawa kit works out as between $54 - 76 over here once you do the £/$ conversion.

Andy thanks for the review.