Eduard enters the cockpit!
One of the nice things about bringing you this detailed review once the kit has been out a little while is that Eduard has a superb etched set for this aircraft. Virtually the whole cockpit is replaced, with only the rudder bar and compass stand remaining. I have to admit being very sceptical as to whether the whole new brass cockpit would fit cleanly and accurately – but it does! Tremendous stuff. The other feature about this Eduard set is that you look at both frets and simply can’t believe that it is all going to find a home – somewhere in the kit…well it does all go in. About the only small parts I didn’t use were those for the Vokes air filter fitted beneath the engine on some Mk.Is and IIs.
If you don’t use the Eduard set then assembly looks pretty straightforward following Roden’s instruction sheet. You need to constantly keep checking and comparing the Eduard instruction to the Roden instructions to ensure all that should be replaced is replaced at the appropriate stage. The Eduard cockpit is a small work of art in itself as far as modelling skills go but makes up into a fabulous sub-assembly when complete.
Much of the interior is, as you would imagine, RAF Grey-Green (Humbrol 78). The accompanying pictures should help clarify matters as far as construction goes but my tip is take your time and make sure you really are sure where every part goes before adding your cyano glue; this will pay dividends later when it comes to joining the fuselage halves. The main shoulder harness is left until the end of the project before adding so as to make cockpit masking easier. I also wanted to have both access doors open to show off the interior although crews only most commonly used the port door.
