This set comprises two etched frets - one of them pre-painted - with 146 new parts. Some of these correct kit details, such as new-style rudder pedals, but the majority are to enhance Dragon's already excellent moulded parts.
The instrument panels and consoles get a thorough overhaul. Rather than supply complete new fascias, Eduard have kept the original Dragon parts with their finely moulded instruments and supplied individual pre-painted dials to fit onto each bezel. With a drop of varnish to seal and glaze them, they should look superb - the finesse of the pre-painting is quite remarkable.
The kit's throttle quadrant is a little bit "chunky" compared with photos of the full-sized original, and Eduard have supplied a new fascia and separate levers to completely transform it. Likewise the seat adjustment lever, which will need carefully trimming down (or replacing with rod) before fitting into a delicate new housing. The solid-moulded handles on the ammunition drums are all replaced and there are now perforated etched holders for them.
Eduard provide an entirely new rack and shelf at the rear of the gunner's compartment that Dragon missed out, and the MG17 is treated to etched sights. Inside the canopy, there are grab handles and other items to attach and, last but not least, there are pre-painted engine instruments to fit into the nacelles.
As you can imagine, some of the items are very delicate and you'll need to make a number of accurate folds, including a few boxes, so a degree of experience working with etched parts is advisable. The instructions are clearly printed in black and white (also available in colour on Eduard's website - and the colour does help), and the 15 or so stages break everything down into easily manageable chunks.
Item #32629 Bf 110 Seatbelts - $ 19.95
Although Dragon have included etched harnesses in their kit, there's no denying that are rather simplistic compared with the real thing. Eduard have come to the rescue with an excellent pre-painted set of seat belts that completely eclipses the kit versions.
The set provides a full harness for the pilot and lap belts for the rear swivel and folding seats. Each belt is made up of a number of individual straps and separate buckles. As usual the pre-painting is excellent, with a level of detail on the stitching that even the most talented of us could probably never hope to paint.
A criticism sometimes voiced at etched seat harnesses is that they are rather rigid. In fact, it shouldn't really be a problem here, because the strap sections are articulated, but you could go one step even further and do a high-res scan of the etched fret and print the seatbelts onto paper. This should get the best of both worlds, combining Eduard's printed detail with the extra flexibility of paper harnesses so they can hang very realistically.
Conclusion
Dragon's kit is already quite expensive and, of course, adding aftermarket extras pushes the cost up even higher, but Eduard's cockpit set will raise the already excellent kit "office" to new levels and a replacement set of seat harnesses is almost a "must" - and Eduard's are excellent. Recommended for experienced modellers.
Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Highly detailed and beautifully pre-painted.Lows: Some quite complex and delicate small parts. Verdict: Eduard's aftermarket sets for the Bf 110 add plenty of detail where it counts, and none of it will be lost thanks to that extensive greenhouse canopy.
Our Thanks to Eduard! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Rowan Baylis (Merlin) FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM
I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...
Yep I think that I will be buying this, but not the seat belts, I will go for Radu's belts. Eduards are a close second but in this scale Radu's belts almost work. Eduards belts are very good because of the stitching but I prefer not to use etched belts just the etched buckles so, for me, Radu wins as he supplies very realistic looking paper belts. I'm trying to find a way of adding the stitch detail, but no luck yet
Hi Mal
You probably read my suggestion in the review for scanning the belts to print them on paper - and, surprise, surprise, I actually suggested to Eduard this morning that they might consider including printed paper versions as additional alternatives. If they go for the idea, remember - you read it here first!
All the best
Rowan
Now that would be a good idea, especially if the belts were coloured on both sides. I have tried making belts from the medium that I use for producing masks but, although thin it doesn't hold it's shape. Eduard could, as an alternative, provide a PDF file of the belts to be down loaded off their site or maybe we could host them here
If Eduard don't want to do it I might have a go, if it's OK with you Rowan
I just might give it a go, my main problem is that I don't have any references for seat belts, apart from the Sutton Harness, but I'm sure that I can come up with something.
I've just had a quick go and it was quite easy. There are a couple of issues, positioning for 2 side printing and the colour, plus a higher quality paper but it is certainly doable
There is one much bigger issue, there are not enough of part 12 to complete the set of belts. You need eight of them yet there are only 5 on the sprue..
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