Eduard German Stug.III Ausf. F photo-etched brass in 1/35 scale for DML kit. (TP057)

by Frank De Sisto

Contains one fret and two pages of instructions. Price: $12.95 USD.

As prices rise for everything in general, and in our hobby in particular, these abbreviated etch detail sets may become ever more popular. They provide the basics, and will allow a modeler on a budget to achieve a satisfactory level of detail on whatever project is currently in the works. This is such a set.

It features what we all find attractive about photo-etch in the first place: fine screens for the engine deck air intakes. Also featured are headlamp covers, Notek head lamp bracket, tail lamp face and brackets, marker light mounts, details for the front and rear fenders (but not mud flaps) and a spare track hanger strip for the lower bow plate. Finally, there are parts to replace the host kit’s engine deck-mounted tow cable storage channels, clamps and brackets. The instructions are in Eduard’s usual clear, multi-colored format.

This set is, as I said, perfect for the budget conscious and will also be the place to start for those modelers who have never used photo-etched parts on their models. For added detail, the modeler may wish to acquire Eduard’s “Zoom” set for German tool clamps and brackets, which has enough parts to detail several kits. You really can’t go wrong!

Highly recommended.

Eduard products are available at retail and mail order shops and directly from the manufacturer at: www.eduard.cz. Visit their web site for images of reviewed items.