Eduard

1/35 Quad Gun Trailer M55 Detail Set For the Dragon Kit 6421

Stock Number: 36086

Reviewed By  Tom Moon, IPMS# 43192

MSRP: $22.95 Website: www.eduard.cz     Direct link to product. This set consists of a single fret of Photo Etch with a small piece of film depicting the instrument panel. The instructions included in the package are a black and white print with each page reduced to fit 2 pages on one side and the third page on the back. This presented me with problem. My old eyes require help to see text this small, and the lack of color makes the deciphering of the instructions difficult. I went on line to the Eduard website and called up the instruction in their PDF format. I then printed them page by page in color. This solved the problem for me, but I have access to a color printer. The first page of instructions adds or replaces some bits and pieces. The big change is the improvement to the battery by adding the holding brackets as separate pieces. You will need to remove the molded on brackets and the top of the battery. The battery top is then replaced and the frame is completed around the battery. The second page of instructions takes on four modifications. The first is to add the barrel removal handle to the barrel and to replace the handles on the ammo containers. I did not use the barrel changing handles as most reference photos do not show them in place when being used. The modifications to the ammo containers bring us to the basic problem of trying to use flat PE parts to simulate rounded 3D parts. Here I did not use the flat PE replacement carrying handles. I used a sharp point and undercut the plastic handle to give a better appearance. The ammo belt is not very convincing. However, the plastic part is not all that good either. I used the ammo chute PE part 4, but will try to create a more realistic belt by using the Mission Models 50 cal shells.

The second is adding a very extensive seat belt. This intrigues me as I want to add the figure to the model. The seat belt is very well done, but even without the figure it is hard to see. I need to point out here that if you want to install the figure in the seat, you need to work in this order: Glue the seat to the floor. Paint the seat, do not glue the stick handle into the floor. Assemble the figure. Assemble the Seat belt. Modify the figure to accept the seat belt. Paint the figure. Paint the seat belt. Paint the stick handle. Place the stick handle into the figures hands. Place the figure in the seat and glue the stick handle to the floor. Glue the seat belt around the figure to the seat. This is done because if you glue the stick handle to the floor before adding the figure, you can't get the figure in. The third section basically replaces part P12 the base for the motor/generator. The engine mount is next up. The Eduard instructions call for a complete replacement for Kit Part P12. I did a dry fit assembly and it just did not look like the mounts in the reference photos I have. So, I used the mounting rails, floor, and tie down screws from the Eduard set. I removed the mounting rails from the kit part and attached the three pieces to the PE floor. This hybrid assembly gets the best of both sets. Adding the engine screen requires that the molded on tube be removed and the remaining hole has to be enlarged to accept the PE part. The replacement tube starts out as a flat piece of PE and will require some dexterity to get a well-formed tube. If you have some plastic tubing of the correct size you may want to use that instead of the PE part.

The fourth section adds some missing parts and the film for the instruments. The Eduard instructions call for round disks to be mounted on the underside of the machine gun holders. The molded on hex head bolt is too large for the disk to slip over them. I left them off as they would be difficult to modify for a proper fit and it would be hard to see them on the finished model. The clear part (E6) is to be modified by removing the lower lens and replace it with a PE part and clear film. I added the PE, but left the clear film off until after I was finished with the painting. The third page of instructions has two parts. First is the replacement of the upper shields. This replaces the two panels with additional parts to show the holding hardware that is not included in the kit. These shields can be displayed in either the upright or folded down position. The hinges are not workable. The upper part of the shield is replaced with PE parts. The instructions show adding the folding shield stop PE part 40. However, it does not indicate that you need to remove the molded on part. And after you remove the part there are no dimensions to indicate where to place the PE part. I suggest that you mark the place of the molded part before removing it so you can place the PE part in its place. Because if you get the PE part misplaced, the retaining clip on the folding shield will not mate up with it properly. Next up is a replacement bracket for mating the rounded shield to the frame. I recommend that you do not use the PE parts unless you are going to leave off the shield. Once the shield is in place you cannot see the PE parts. There is a better gluing surface if you use the plastic parts as is. The second section consists of parts for filling in missing parts and building 2 containers that replace kit parts R3 and R4. The container's lids can be displayed open or closed, but the hinges are not workable so you will have to decide how you want to display them before you start.

This photo etch set adds a fair amount of detail to a basic kit and will set your model apart from the rest. Review set provided by Eduard and can be purchased at all fine hobby shops, online shops or directly from Eduard.