Eduard have released a self adhesive [SA] photo etched set to adorn the Trumpeter 1/32 F-14D Tomcat. Included in this release is a pre coloured instrument panels and a none painted fret containing cockpit sub structures to compliment the kit parts.

Contents:

This release by Eduard is for the very large Trumpeter 1/32 F-14D Tomcat kit. Inside the plastic bag is:

-1 x pre coloured self adhesive photo etched set.
-1 x none coloured photo etched fret.
-1 x instructions.

As you can see from the images opposite the first thing to impress is the quality of the pre coloured parts for the cockpit instruments. They look simply sensational, the dials, instrument faces, switches, etc are very well printed. The various screens are in the switched off mode and have a slight greenish tinge to them. The one slight criticism is the printed lines on the screens are a little obvious close up and when viewing at some angles. The pilots instrument panel is made up from around 12 coloured photo etched parts. The rear seater's instrument panel is made up from seven parts. The side console instruments require less parts to build. But one thing is for sure with some patience and care a superb cockpit will be your reward.
The none coloured fret has some very fine etched detail including rivets and vents. I particularly like the detail for the inside walls of the kits cockpit tub. There are even PE parts for the canopy frames, one frame has mirrors. The sill of the cockpit is a very useful addition if you are displaying the canopy open.
The photo etched parts complement the kit parts, but some minor surgery to the kit parts is required. It's mostly filing down the detail on the instrument panels so the photo etch parts sit better. There is some folding required to the photo etched parts, but nothing too difficult.
As with any pre coloured photo etched parts it always prudent to apply a coat or two of a varnish of your choice to fix the printed areas.

Conclusions:

This is a stunning release for the Trumpeter 1/32 F-14D and because of the scale the cockpit demands some extra detail. This detail set for the cockpit will certainly add a load of interest to the office of the Tomcat and in the sort of detail that only the most skilled modeler could reproduce. Nice on Eduard.