The Hobby Boss kit has some excellent detail in the cockpit, but it does require a fair bit of time to highlight it. Eduard has stepped up with an interior detail set that concentrates on the cockpit. The level of the printed and etched detail should satisfy most modelers with the amount of detail provided. Definitely a release for the time crunched modeler.

Contents:

Inside the semi re sealable packaging is:
-1 x pre coloured self-adhesive photo etched fret.
-1 x non coloured photo etched fret.
-1 x A4 double sided sheet of instructions.

The pre coloured self-adhesive fret has some wonderful looking parts for the instrument panel and side consoles that will instantly transform the look of the cockpit. The kits raised detail on the instrument panel and the side consoles need to be erased to fit the PE parts. Seven parts make up the main instrument panel and there are numerous small dials, knobs and levers to add more interest and create a less two dimensional look. The side consoles PE parts also have several small parts to create a more three dimensional look. Some scratch building is required to create the throttle handle from stretched sprue or plastic rod. On the walls of the cockpit there are various fuse and circuit boards to add.
Also included on this fret are information placards for the main undercarriage legs and bays.
The non coloured fret has a box structure to attach to the back of the pilots seat. That’s all you get with this release for the seat, there is a separate Eduard release that concentrates solely on the seat [32741]. There are a couple boxes to build for the side consoles also. There are a few parts too make up the central console and the visible area behind the instrument panel. The PE parts are used in combination with the kit parts. Eduard has included replacement rudder pedals and a frame for the gunsight. The cockpit walls just below the canopy have some additional PE parts to add and the decking to the rear of the seat also has plenty of PE parts to add further interest. Some surgery is required on both the areas to fit the PE parts.
The instructions maintains Eduards very high standards. The black line drawings and the instructional symbols as well as written instructions in Czech and English are very clear. There is a lot going on with some of the detailing so take your time. The detailing behind the instrument panel is particularly complex.

Conclusions:

This is an excellent release from Eduard for the Hobby Boss 1/32 F-86E and will certainly add a lot more interest underneath that canopy.