Eduard 1/350
Elco PT-596 Detail Set

Eduard from the Czech Republic is easily the most prolific producer of aftermarket details. Period. Their series of photo-etched detail sets have brought additional fidelity to otherwise bland subjects, and have taken even the best-produced models and kicked them up a notch or two with details that cannot be produced with injection-molded plastic.

When Eduard first introduced the acetate-printed instrument faces that go behind their photo-etched instrument panels, this raised the bar on model cockpit reality as you could almost read the time on the aircraft clock. How could they top that?

It took a number of years, but the answer is color photo-etch. Somehow Eduard has developed a process for printing color directly on their photo-etched parts such that now you not only can read the instrument faces, you can now see the color warning arcs around airspeed indicators and color reference circles around Luftwaffe flight and engine instruments.

I was hoping Eduard would take a shot at Italeri's magnificent 1/35 PT-596 kit. I had been stalling the completion of my own build of this project (look here) in the hopes that this set might pop out on the market. My wait is over!

This set consists of two frets of photo-etched details and four panels of instructions. The set starts with the details in the cockpit, replacing the kit's photo-etched instrument cluster and switch panel. The instrument cluster has acetate instrument faces and that looks nice enough to retrofit onto my project. The set also provides a nice array of hatch handles to add dimension to the flat, molded on handles on the model.

The engine compartment intake receives a photo-etched screen to replace the vinyl screen provided in the kit.

The aft smoke generator also receives a facelift with more detailed deck mounts and retaining straps.

Should you want to model your boat in 'quiet mode', this set provides photo-etched butterfly valves to go over the exhaust ducts in the closed position.

Each of the four torpedo racks receive some nice detailing as well. New handles and actuator linkages are provided as well as more detailed mounting brackets/frames.

This set provides the barrel air-cooled jackets for each of the four 50 caliber machine guns along with a few other gun details. This set also provides photo-etched 50 caliber ammo as well as the ammo guides to replace the styrene guides.

The kit's boat receives photo-etched tie-down straps to replace the molded-on details.

Now here is where the set really get's my attention. The 40mm gun mount. The Bofors mount has new photoetched seats and foot control pedals. The ammo guides are also rendered in photo-etch for the Bofors gun. The operator also receives photo-etched gun sights as well.

The railings forward of the gun mount also get some nice attention with photo-etched ammo racks. The ends of each 40mm shell receives a primer end.

You should be able to find this detail set at your local hobby retailer or one of the many online hobby shops. Trust me, this is worth looking for!

Recommended for advanced modelers!

My sincere thanks to Eduard for this review sample!