We’ve already looked at the full Brassin replacement cockpit for the Tamiya Bf 109G-6 HERE, but Eduard also offer other solutions in their range of photo-etched parts.

FE892 - Seatbelts (steel)

Starting with the simplest, this set is ideal for anyone who is basically happy with what Tamiya provide, but want to replace the kit’s decal seat harness.

A single etched fret contains a highly detailed pre-coloured harness that requires minimal preparation before use. Each shoulder belt is a single piece, while the lap belts have separate pads. The pre-colouring is subtly shaded for a used look and this style of harness from Eduard can look very effective indeed.

The only point you have to exercise a good deal of care over is that the coloured film has a tendency to flake off if you bend the parts too abruptly. If you work gently, you should be okay - and should you spot the film coming loose, it is usually possible to glue it back in place without any sign of the repair.

Item #FE892 - Seatbelts (steel) is available now, priced: 7.45 Euros

FE891 - Cockpit & Engine Details

Moving up a gear, the next set adds a lot of extra detail to the cockpit, plus a couple of useful additions for the engine. It should be noted that the set doesn’t include a seat harness, so you may want to add the parts the described above.

The small fret is packed with 51 items, around half of them pre-coloured. The obvious focus of attention is the new instrument panel to replace the disappointing Tamiya effort. This alone is made up of 11 parts in a classic etched “sandwich”, with pin sharp definition on the pre-coloured dials and switches. The same is true of the fascias for the side- and floor-mounted equipment and oxygen regulator, while each rudder pedal is made up of two parts and involves some delicate folds. There’s a chain linkage for the flap and trim wheels, a strap for the cannon breach cover, and grab handles and a latch for the windscreen and canopy.

Turning to the engine, Eduard provide an ingnition harness and lifting rings, plus new exhaust shields to replace the thicker plastic parts in the kit.

Item #FE891 - Cockpit & Engine Details is available now, priced: 11.25 Euros

49890 - Cockpit, Engine & Exterior Details

The most elaborate set takes that described above and adds a second etched fret, this time in brass, with another 40 parts.

These are mostly designed for the radiator flaps and undercarriage, completely replacing the former and providing new wheel covers, brake-lines, towing attachments and torque links for the undercarriage.

Each radiator flap is a multi-part affair, which should look very impressive with its interlocking internal mechanism and scale thickness. The wheel covers require careful folding - and you’ll also need to curve them gently to the correct shape. The brake cables may look a bit 2-dimensional - although thickening them up with paint could well work in this scale. Alternatively, they'll serve as useful templates for cutting your own replacements from wire.

There are new zippered liners for the wheel wells and a number of small details to add extra life to the engine area such as a mesh guard for the supercharger intake.

Rounding things off are a retaining strap for the drop tank, the wire to stop the hinged canopy opening too far, an aerial attachment and a D/F loop.

Item #49890 - Cockpit, Engine & Exterior Details is available now, priced: 18.75 Euros

Each set is accompanied by very well illustrated instructions, which break the work down into simple stages and show clearly where modifications are required to the kit to fit the upgrades.

Conclusion

Eduard’s photo-etched sets offer some very useful upgrade for the Tamiya Gustav. The range offers something to suit all tastes, budgets and abilities, from simply adding a more realistic seat harness, right up to some quite advanced replacements for the kit parts. Inexperienced modellers should be aware that the more elaborate changes involve some very tiny parts and reasonably complex folding.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE