It’s simply to get impressive detailed kit, just take standard plastic kit and merge it with Eduard Brassin set, and you are there! If you even more took Eduard plastic kit, then you have chance to built perfection. From the very start I like so much Eduard kit of MiG-21MF and was so happy to see it in 1/72, first edition as 1/48. Thanks to their practice to release additional sets for their kits, alongside with their kits was released many other products, one of them is Brassin cockpit.

[See image gallery at www.letletlet-warplanes.com] First take care, this product with stock number 672180 is dedicated to interceptor (!!!) late production. It is obvious that eduard take a good research before they release this and even better is that this can also mean that other version of cockpit could be expected in their product line.

Black box where this is packed is attractive and inside is so many interesting material either.  What I like is that there is few layers of precisely cut sponge and plastic bagged parts so protection of content is given to high level. Content is nine very precise mold resin parts (all right, they call it Brassin), small transparent foil with HUD transparencies (you cut em with scissors and put in place, one of them, two is provided), etched set, many parts are pre painted and instructional leaflets.

If I get in mind that MiG-21MF cockpit is small and narrow, total number of parts is maybe even big but there is all you need, details are so good and all fit perfect inside. First job there is to paint basic resin parts in interior blue green color and few of them is black and some elements are in silver.  It is on you are you going to add some worn out effect or not. Pilot seat is in gery colors, I would like to advise you to find some photos on internet, they could be of help.  Eduard give all paint numbers from Gunze Sangyo palette.

Assembly is easy once when parts get dry, removing is easy, you can use sharp knife for some parts or precise saw, it is on you. Every part have its precise place where to be so there could not be mistake where and what to put. This Brassin set completely replace all cockpit parts from original plastic kit. Most important is that work with this set does not demand so much time so kit can be upgraded in relatively short work time.

Completed section fit perfect into fuselage halfs and there is no problem to close it. The rest is up to you how you will complete your kit. I have so high impressions about this product and would like to recommend it to you all. Big thanks to Eduard for sample product. For this test I have use Eduard Overstress kit and it will be present in final form soon.

Srećko Bradić

So, here is two sets, one is for Bf 109G control surfaces and another one is for landing gear. Both are for 1/48 scale and both coming in transparent plastic case. Lets give few tips about first one. Set with stock code 648310 is dedicated to the control surfaces on Bf 109G. Not all, only those with standard low vertical tail (later was higher edition). Inside this pack is eight resin parts (all right, Brassin parts) and small etched set with ten etched parts (non painted and many doubled, just in case). They are intended to replace original parts in basic kit and part you will replace is vertical rudder (most decorated object on German fighters as well in most cases victories are marked there), horizontal tail controls and roll controls. Add to that three counterweights (you need two but one is just in case your tweezers make ‘click’ while you hold one of them) as well trim tabs you need for control surfaces (something from aerodynamics, need for stable flight).

How to apply? Cut, trim from resin mold and place into position. Very simply. Add to that etched trim tabs and this is it.

Landing gear legs is another technology. There is in total four parts, two are resin and two are casted bronze. If you need strong leg, bronze is really great, I use it when ever I can. Cast is good (at least on my sample), no need for any adjustments on legs, like sanding and so on, just take care on position and this is it. It fit perfect into original slot for landing gear, it have a bit free space to adjust good position of leg. As well it come in landing gear bay color, different then camouflage, you can put it putting the build of kit and paint together with bay or at very end of build, as completed elements. It is on you. Set so simply and so good in same time. Yes, this set is stock code 648309.

What to say but another so good products from Eduard. Strictly dedicated to their kits, no idea how they can be fit on other manufacturer kit. Set for control tabs you can find here and for landing gear here. And my big thanks to Eduard for sample products!!

Srecko Bradic

Lets give some basic info- this set is from Brassin series, it is Bf 109G-6 cockpit, for Eduard kit and its stock code is 648240. Scale is 1/48. It come in mighty looking black box and small photo give fast look what’s inside. Opening box give so nice surprise as well there is much more material then I expected. Two sheet of etched brass is there, one is pre painted, great number of resin parts including one transparent set.

As well basic color is RLM 66, I have paint all resin parts in this color (not transparent) as well non painted etched set. Next to go is some post shading and then parts was ready for work. Of course, you can choose another approach. In this assembly, I have strictly follow instructions and goes step by step. Pilot seat is first completed, with seat belts and it is attached to cockpit main part. Assembly followed by add of the cannon cover and foot controls. This foot controls are most complex Eduard ever made. They consist from basic parts where few elements need to bent, then one bottom element, on which this part will be attach to bottom and small belts. As well this is just few millimeter, it is really great amount of details included there. There is two options for instrument panel, one which include all elements on it and need to place instrument panel decal from kit and another which is flat and use etched parts for instrument panel. I used another one. Basic instrument include there five parts+ handles on it.

Side cockpit panels are so detailed, include so many interior elements. Most of them are in basic cockpit color but some need to be painted. On all of this comes several etched parts and also three transparent resin parts. When completed, they are closed on each side and main section is completed. Then it need to be put inside fuselage. To manage this, all elements from kit inside fuselage need to be removed and wall to be sand down one millimeter. Then cockpit hub set perfectly and fuselage half’s close properly.

Another part which is complicated is gun sight. There is two variation provided, early and later. So, on main part, it look like pole, attach in place where is gun sight, first one bent etched part and on it comes another. And on this comes two transparent gun sights. A bit tricky as well it is very small but can be made with some care and attention. Two variations was also provided for cover behind pilot head, on fuselage and also there is two versions of protective armor. One is simple plate used in early models of Bf 109G-6 and other is later, with armor glass inside (transparent resin is used in this case).

Final result is more then impressive, very detailed cockpit and nice looking! No matter it is complex, no more then one day is need to make it complete. You sample you can find here and big thanks to Eduard for provide me sample product!

Srecko Bradic

This Supermarine Spitfire FR MK.IXc was one of many Spitfires modified to fighter reconnaissance role and it served in No.16 Sq RAF. Its serial was MK915 and it served at Bayeux airfield in Belgium, September 1944. After the war, this machine was sold out to Turkey. Its featured standard PRU Pink scheme with invasions stripes adopted after D Day, while those at wing bottom was less visible.

Kit is made from basic Eduard Overstress kit, code 70121X, which include parts for one Mk.IXc kit. Kit served as base for great upgrade, it have Brassin Spitfire cockpit, Brassin exhaust, Brassin engine cowling, Brassin Bronze legs and Brassin drop tank. Decals is designed by my self and printed by my friend. Personally I am so pleasured with result and look.

As well basic kit have no any reconnaissance feature, I have drill camera hole on the port side of fuselage, behind the cockpit. Hole is filled with Cristal Clear and this create transparent cover. From available photo I have noted worn out look of the airplane so I give attention to this. Propeller have a little scratched paint on leading edge.

Element what possibly differ from entire airplane is drop tank, my guess, from available photo, is that it is painted in Medium Sea Grey.

Srecko Bradic

This cockpit set is from Brassin series of products, it contain resin parts as well photo etched parts and in this case also transparent foil with printed gun sight glass. Product come in transparent plastic box case and its stock code is 672 112. Idea of this set is to completely replace all cockpit elements provided with basic kit, so you get entirely new cockpit. Main benefit is in extra details, resin cast can include more details then plastic injection parts and it is so welcome for subjects as this one.

So many parts is inside, more then some kits have in 1/72 scale. So take a breath and go. What I did first is paint all parts in interior Grey Green color and after it was dry, I have paint small elements in other colors, few are present there, black, silver and light grey. Next to do is apply a coat of very dark wash, this is why parts on some images look so dark. They was partially wash out to get some moderate level of parts contrast. Instruction is provided on three small leaflet and all steps are clear and explained. Starting from cockpit, there is variation in build, instrument panel include elements which can be used on Spitifire models c and e. I choose c as well this will be my final plastic kit. Main work is based on three sections, floor, left and right side panels. Floor include most of the parts, instrument panel, pilot controls, seat, frames and various small elements.

Take care when do some elements, like pilot seat. It is consisted from resin seat, pilot belts, rear etched plate and construction. Note to make small gap when you set seat on rear plate, there have to be placed seat belts. Photo etched parts PE20 and 21 allow to put this plate on seat with very small gap. When complete seat, it goes on frame and take care as well entire construction is sensitive and can be fragile. On this seat frame is at top head rest, Eduard provide two types, take a look on photos of actual subject you are built, to be sure you choose right one.

When floor is completed, it is placed between side panels. This side panels are so detailed, many elements are included on them and few need to be add. They have visible lines where floor with its elements need to be placed. Once they are placed, it is almost ready to put it in fuselage. Fuselage sides from original kit include framing elements which need to be cut. One photo show red marks where to cut and sand but you have it also in kit explained. Then there come photo etched wall and some small resin parts. No idea why but I forget to take photo when this step was completed, sorry for that.

In original instruction, you cement cockpit section in one of fuselage side and then close with another fuselage side. I try different and it work, I have cemented fuselage sides first but I cement only rear section, up to cockpit. Then I push cockpit section from bottom and it work perfect! But better follow Eduard instruction, I just try option. When it find its place inside fuselage, I cement gun sight at top of instrument panel. By instruction, it have to be done much before but I know my self, I could crash this tiny part during work so it is far safer like this. Part which is not included in this photo is resin rear view mirror. It goes on windshield. To manage fuselage to fit wings, inner surface of the bottom wing need to be grind and sand to remove some extra material and make gap where bottom of Brassin cockpit can rest.

Excellent set!! Not for beginners definitely, need some experience. Parts are so precise, I see absolute no problem in work with. Material is so easy cut and sand. Final result is so detailed cockpit and it is more then recommended. Big thanks to Eduard for sample product and you can find your sample here! And yes, for evaluation of this product, I use Eduard Overstress kit Spitfire, 70121X.

Srecko Bradic

Here is presented as a model build 672096 but others also have similar features. As seen on photos, it comes in a plastic transparent box, scale is 1/72 and it is dedicated for the Eduard kit of the Fw 190A-5. The contents present resin parts, photo etched parts and instruction leaflets. Most of the resin parts need to be painted with RLM 66 color, just some are different in details (like the pilot control stick). I use a small razor saw to cut the resin parts and cyanoacrylate cement to fix them together. No special note and work tips here, this set demands some time in work and care, but not extra care.

To put the assembled section in the fuselage, there is a need to remove plastic fences which are used to hold the original plastic cockpit. These parts simply need to be cut, area sanded, painted and they are ready to house the Brassin cockpit. The entire work does not demand much time, maybe a few hours in total and the result is the top possible. Here is presented set 672096 and you also have another one, 672081, which is for the Fw 190A-8. They look the same, working with it is the same, the difference is in details.

Excellent products and warmly reccomend it and big thanks to Eduard for sample product!

Srecko Bradic

This set belongs to their well-known Brassin series, stock code is 648247, and it comes in a transparent plastic case. Inside is a small instruction leaflet, four resin parts and four etched parts. The resin is very good, easy to handle. It requires minimum tools and materials, one saw, I used one attached on a small blade handle, a sanding stick (to flatten the bottom surface after it was cut from the base) and super glue.

All you need is to cut it from the mold base, sand and fit together small bath with exhaust nozzle. Then it goes to its place inside the front fuselage. Each part has its own number cast on the mold so it is easy to follow. The entire process needs less than ten minute and result is very detailed exhaust for the Bf 109G. It’s a lovely product and I really recommend it and thanks to Eduard for sample product.

Srecko Bradic

This Eduard kit is a very simple one with minimum parts inside. It comes as stock code 648 135 and it is packed in a thin transparent plastic case. Total content is two resin parts and three etched parts. Resin parts present main armament body and trigger/handle. Etched parts are for handle, Eduard provides three samples, as well you actually need just two, third one is good reserve (in case of carpet monster).

Working with this is as simple as possible. Remove resin parts and cement it with super glue and add at the rear parts two handles. This is it, five minutes assembly job. Painting is simple, as I know it comes in very dark metal finish but please check out, maybe there is some variation. Product is so simple and so good; welcome detail on some of the Luftwaffe 1/48 kits.

My great thanks go to Eduard for this great product and you can have it too, just click here!

Srecko Bradic

The kit stock number is 7056 and it is a very simple but detailed kit. Main kit parts are provided on four plastic frets (one of those transparent), there is also sheet of etched parts (with painted elements) and protective masks. Decals are perfectly printed and include markings for Korea, Soviet Union, Cuba, Egypt and East Germany, a very good selection from the very start. Surface details on the kit are very precise and assembly instructions are very good as usual.

Most interesting to note is that before this kit became available, Eduard had released detail sets for this kit, so this review will include most of them. To use them all in build you need some precision planning. So here is my way to do…

Air Brakes

Brassin set for air brakes 672 020 includes four resin parts and eight etched parts. If you decide to use it, you must include them first in the build, before fuselage halves are joined together. Note that inside fuselage are air brake indentations the shape of the brakes bay, so you have to open these. Very simple way is to take engraving needle and to scribe inside corners of the bay until you open it. This will result in a very sharp hole. The brake bay is made from two etched parts, one creates a wall and this is made by one part which is bent to shape and bottom cover. I will advise to do this section just until you create bay fixed inside. No need to assemble the air brakes, better to leave them for the final steps of assembly, extended brakes could make trouble during work on kit and can be damaged.

Cockpit

Cockpit Brassin set 672 024 includes ten resin parts and small etched sheet with painted elements and it is greatly detailed. Assembly goes fast and the parts are very precisely shaped. Part I must specially point is the R5 and R6, you must take attention when sanding extra resin and shape it to a good match because from their assembly depends later fuselage assembly. So make a few dry runs with the fuselage before assembly. The cockpit set build-up needs to be completed before fuselage assembly. Please note that on the resin part R5 are two pipes. They are precisely molded but very tiny and fragile. It is not a problem to clean up resin base under them but for less experienced this could be a problem so you can replace them with thin wire. I have painted all parts while they are still on their bases; it is far easier to paint details and then assembly them all. During the work I wanted to test whether the original etched instrument board could be used in conjunction with the resin cockpit parts and I find it is not possible. The reason is simply that the etched instrument board and resin panel does not match in shape. So I continued regular work and used the resin board and I have applied instrument decals from the kit decals sheet. Setting all cockpit elements in place goes so easy, Eduard did perfect work there. Please put the weight in the front section of the cockpit. One detail I will also point is to the etched parts PE6 and 7, instructions suggest to put them inside the cockpit wall when the cockpit is completely assembled but I think it is far more easy to put them inside before assembly.

Kit  Assembly

When the brakes and cockpit are completed, you can continue with the fuselage/kit assembly.  Assembly is easy and this is thanks to the absolute precision of the parts. First thing needed to do is the dry run of all interior resin sections, to see how they are set in closed fuselage and after that fix the vertical rudder in place. Then continue on with fuselage halves assembly. During assembly please note that there are two pins in the front bottom fuselage hole and resin cockpit must set on these two pins (they hold it in proper position). Also take attention that front edges of the cockpit section must be aligned with edges of the fuselage!! After that you have to close bottom of the nose with the plastic part C1. Originally designed to match with plastic parts, this pin have no any role in the assembly with the Brassin cockpit.  When you close all of this the rest of the cockpit assembly can be completed, resin and etched parts which are placed behind the pilot head.  There are some issues- when you complete rear resin and etched parts you have arranged the cockpit to be finished with a closed canopy. So you need some changes in steps if you want open canopy.

Regarding to the main instruction assembly, next to go is the wing assembly but in our case next to go is…

Flaps!

Under the number 72 574 is Eduard product MiG-15 landing flaps. No matter that they look a bit tricky; they are in fact easy to use. All parts are placed in one small sheet and they are not painted. But first of all you need to cut bottom flaps line on the wings and do some surface sanding inside wing top surface. Then cement wing halves. Cut off inner structures of the wing, bend the PE flap wells and place in the slot. Take a note that ribs are tiny so you need extra care went bending and cementing in place (use small amount of cement). In the continuation of the flaps work, you should arrange flaps but I recommend leaving fixing to the wings for later, in final assembly before painting.

Exterior Set

The exterior set is very interesting as well as it combines parts which are of use for the same kit but also various accessories.  This set has stock number 72 575 and use is very simple! The right moment to start using it is when you fix the wings and tail on the kit. Landing gear are on the highlight there and I have replaced actuators on the front doors, added structure and wirings in the main landing door bay, replaced main doors with etched ones and the result is great. Most important is that work goes fast and there is not observed any problems with parts positioning. Alongside with application of the etched parts, I have cemented landing gear parts as well as small details like cannons and probes on wings.

Before painting

As you note, I have skipped some steps during the work and let them for the late assembly stage. What is next to do is the kit painting but before some thing have to be completed and arranged. I must note that in this stage of work the kit spent most of the time in upside down position. The reason is very simple- I did not cement wheels as it would be a problem later to paint them and because the landing gear doors made of etched parts are sensitive and it is important to avoid contact with surface. So, very first thing to I did was to cement the gun sight in the cockpit and then placed the mask on the windshield and sliding canopy. After that I continued with flaps, they are similar construction as the flaps interior but have also additional hinges which are cemented and bent to appropriate angle and then cemented at the bottom. There must be care taken as it demands very tight handling to cement flaps on its tiny points. And after that kit is ready for painting.

Painting

All sample machines provided in the kit are natural metal and from the very start I decided to build the machine flown by Yevgeny Pepelyaev. He was a great ace from Korea and this kit build comes one year after this pilot has died. Specific to his airplane (as well as some others) is that the nose was painted in red. There are two options of painting, in first version red surface was tight to the nose numbers and after battle damage repair the red area was a bit away from the nose numbers. I also made some panels variation and also painted walk way area on the wing roots in black. After paint was dry, I applied a coat of gloss varnish and set the decals on. Since it had no stencils, placing of decals passed very fast.

Final

And for the very last work I spent more time with external elements then on the same kit. This kit required very little work, I placed wheels on the kit, sprayed flat varnish, removed mask from the cockpit, put radio wire and it was completed! During the work on the red areas on the kit I painted remaining external elements in red. That was ladders, covers for the air intake and exhaust, working platform and wheel guards. To regret I am not sure about the use of red, so beware about this. This could be also other colors too. The platform has excellent imitation of the wood surface and I have first applied black paint and then dry brush of cream and brown acryl color and got very good effect of the dirty wood. When completed I simply placed all of these elements on the airplane kit.

Kit benefits

If you get this kit you will not get rich, Eduard will get rich and you will for sure experience great pleasure when discovering how this kit is simply designed but very detailed and easy to build! I have built kits of others manufacturers before but definitely they could not compare with this Eduard kit. I give top recommendation to this kit as well all available products!!! You can find them all on the links below:

MiG-15bis | Landing flaps | Rocket pod | Brassin cockpit | OFAB-100 | Airbrakes | Ejection seat | Wheels

Big thanks to Eduard for the sample products!

Srecko Bradic

Looking for a better MiG-15 in 1/72 scale? Well, it is hard for me to recommend kit for you, but I would, without any doubt, direct you to the latest Eduard upgrade products. This is a wheel set and ejection seat in 1/72 scale.

In general these products are intended for the new Eduard kit but this does not mean you can’t add them to any other MiG-15 kit in this scale. Let’s explain these Eduard products……both are from the Brassin series and are packed in a transparent plastic case. The main elements are molded in urethane resin but each package has its own additional content.

The wheels are manufacturer stock number 672007 and inside are four beautifully molded wheels and a quick-mask set. Work with this is more than easy and fast. I painted the basic black color and after drying I painted free-hand the green wheel hub color. Next step is to apply the circular masking shapes from the sheet and paint the tire color. Remove the masks, remove the tires from their molding base, and that’s it!

The ejection seat is stock number 672008 and inside are two resin parts (the seat and seat structure) and one small etched sheet with painted elements. Without removing from the mold base I first applied a black base coat (I simply like black as a base, use any other color as you need) and then painted in light grey. A few elements need to be painted in yellow, silver, and red. When this part is completed just remove the etched parts and place them on the seat. Most of these are belts but there are also a few small detail parts.

In a very short time, and without any extra effort, you will be able to upgrade your kit with these products. They look so good and accurate, and are easy to work with. I really recommend these products and you can order them here and here.

Srecko Bradic

Sample product is provided by Eduard