Eduard has released a resin cockpit set to go with the release of the quarter scale P-51D-5 Mustang early version without the fin fillet. The quality of the moulded plastic detail of Eduards Mustangs is superb and will please 99% of modellers purchasing the kit. So you might understandably ask the question do we really need the additional resin detail.

Contents

First let’s have a look at the contents of the Brassin Set contained in the rather sturdy box:
1 x Instruction manual
2 x Small bags of resin parts
1 x Small bag containing the decal sheet, pre coloured photo etched parts and a small clear acetate sheet.
In the box the parts are sandwiched safely between two sponge sheets and the folded instructions stop any movement of the contents.
This set is designed to be built up as a unit then fitted into the recess on inside of the right side of the fuselage. The resin parts either replace or are used in conjunction with the kit’s plastic parts. An example of this is the cockpit floors which requires you to cut away the forward part of the plastic floor and replace it with the resin section. Some detail needs to be created by your own stock of materials but this is restricted to cables for some of the instruments behind the pilot’s seat. Eduard provide the dimensions so that you can fabricate the cables with the materials of your choice. A lot of the photo etched detail for the cockpit on fret 82101-LEPT-1that comes with the ProfiPACK Edition [82101]is actually superfluous as the resin features the detail. For detail such as gauges and dials there are decals supplied. So all you need to concentrate on is dry brushing and highlighting the detail. There is a pre-painted photo etched harness set included with this resin cockpit set. Also on the PE fret are handles for the instrument panel. So, this resin cockpit set would be a sensible addition for a weekend or Overtrees [82101X] release.
Looking at the detail on the resin, there is a noticeable difference in the fidelity of the detail. Areas that do look significantly better are the seat cushioning, the switches on the central instrument console, the instrument panel, the side panels and the ribbed air and cable hoses. I have compared some of the items side by side to give you a flavour of the difference in detail. There is a little resin flash here and there, the cables attached to the instruments do have flash between the cable and the instrument. Also there are a few tiny pin holes in the resin so run a check just in case there are bubbles that will be seen. As with the majority of resin parts supplied for after market detailing the casting blocks will need to be removed. Some parts such as the hoses have a myriad of tiny attachment points making the separation a lot easier.
The instructions on three separate A4 sheets is a little confusing in its order, but it’s not difficult to figure out the build sequence. The instructions show both seats and there is a little uncertainty which one to use. The clue is perhaps in the plastic kits instructions which only shows the none padded seat. There is a tiny slither of clear acetate that represents the glass of the gun sight.

Conclusions

The detail of the plastic parts is superb a huge credit to the toolmakers at Eduard, so you need to think carefully whether the resin detail is worth the extra outlay. You also have to bear in mind how much detail will be seen once the cockpit is installed, the fuselage halves have been buttoned up and the windscreen and canopy fitted.