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.

Now Eduard has stepped up with a photoetch set for the Roden 1:32 Spad VII with the later production Hispano - Suiza 8Ab 180hp characteristics. Allow me 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 three nickel covered frets with a total 226 pieces. MSRP 26.95 USD. Instructions are laid out in a 7 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. There are representative bracings and structures for the cockpit interior side walls. There is also detailing for the starting magneto and hand operated fuel pressure pump.
tank
Page 2.) The applications to detail the kit motor and its compartment (interior and exterior as well). And we find augmentations for the cockpit Ammunition belt drum and its feed through the instrument shelf.

Page 3.) Exclusively deals with the replacement pilot seat, lap and shoulder harness straps.

Page 4.) Deals with all of the typical Spad VII instrument gauges, fittings and the Vickers machine gun instalaltion and its adjacent outer cowling surface. Eduard gives you full radiator facades for the production Hispano-Suiza motor. Also the landing gear stabilzer brackets.

Page 5.) The chin pan is particularly nice with its adjacent vent and bracing details. Then we see exterior pieces for the fuselage and tail surfaces, elevator, stabilizer and rudder fittings.

Page 6.) Then there are some fine interplane strut rigging anchors, brackets . Then we see exterior pieces for the wing surfaces, aileron, elevator and rudder fittings. Detailing the bell cranks for the aileron are commendable. The rigging attachment mounts are particularly nice for the recent supply of aftermarket RAFwire sets that we have seen come out this year.

Page 7.) Continues the wing detailing for all surfaces. This mostly replaces the molded details of the kit with separate sharp edged items like surface brackets for the interplane struts and there sockets.

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