Kit History,

Back in the dark days before Eduard broke into the WWI plastic kit arena they were doing photoetch fret for other kits. Though they were not the first examples these early Eduard brass etch sets were just the details that many of us took to begin to enhance older kits. Well gentle folk they have stepped up with a photoetch set for the Roden 1:32 Airco DH 2. One note before we get started. PE by its very nature is not meant to stand alone. It is meant to detail and enhance the kit it was designed for.

Contents,

You get a typical Eduard clear baggy that opens at the bottom with a fold over flap. Enclosed you get two nickel covered frets of 93 pieces. One of these has prepainted parts. MSRP 22.46 USD. Instructions are laid out in a 4 page sequence that could do with more information for clarity. I recommend using highlighter markers to help you remember what you have completed if you have to spend any long period between building steps.

Applications,

Page 1.) Has the typical parts map and a key list for the various image notes that help the builder to understand what to do with specific parts. It deals with the typical late model DH 2 instrument gauges (these are particularly nice), rudder fittings and an alternate Lewis machine gun fittings.

Page 2.) Deals with the applications to detail the Gnome rotary motor, pilot seat, The dual spark plug leads are better suited to a Clerget "N" motor and instead should be singles for the late "B-2" type.. The wide lap belts that were actually used are included in the Eduard fret. There are representations for the cockpit interior side walls.

Page 3.) We find augmentations for the nacelle & cowling in the form of straps, hatch and reinforcements. Then there is more of the dressings for the fabric covering lacings,(externally mounted)ammunition bins and upper wing fuel tank.

Page 4.) Finally we see some fine cabane and interplane strut rigging anchors. (These are not displayed on in the Eduard site images of the built up kit.) Then there are exterior pieces for the wing surfaces in the form of aileron, elevator and rudder control horn fittings. The rigging attachment mounts are particularly nice for the recent supply of aftermarket RAFwire sets that we have seen come out this year. These flate flying wires were first seen on 1915 prototype aircraft and on subsequent British aircraft.

Of further note the kit instructions show the PE in a faded manner and the plastic parts in bold. To my mind this should be reversed. I find it better to download the instructions from the website. IMHO.

References,

Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 20 #1 1989 Part 1.
Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 20 #3 1989 Part 2.
Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 21 #3 1990 Part 3.
Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 22 #1 1991 Part 4.
Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 22 #4 1991 Part 5.
“The de Havilland D.H.2" by J. M. Bruce, Profile Publications , 1966.
“The Royal Flying Corps in WWI” by R. Rimell, Vintage Warbirds #1, Osprey Pub. 1985
“Thorpe Park’s Pusher” by J. Hall, Aeroplane Monthly Pp. 72-75 1980.

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