Scale Plastic & Rail

1/35 Camouflage Netting from Eduard

1/35 Various Camo Netting sheets

Eduard

Catalogue #'s: 36144 (UK S-Type Desert), 36145 (UK S-Type Woodland), 36151 (Barracuda Woodland) and 36154 (Barracuda Desert)

Available from Eduard for $29.95USD each

Well, this is Eduard's second new idea I have come across in the last couple of weeks. Following on from their 1/35 fern leaf set for diorama builders, we have here the first 4 releases in a new concept series, namely 1/35 camouflage netting sheets produced as pre-coloured etched brass sheets.

Camouflage netting has always been difficult for modellers to portray on their models or in dioramas, mainly because of its dual constitution -  a mesh netting material to which a camouflage pattern material is either interwoven, partially fixed or totally fixed (below)

The styles of the camouflage netting have been many and varied over the years, but they do tend to follow standardised colours and patterns nowadays, much like uniform camouflage. The history of the introduction of different patterns is fraught with difficulty for the researcher, as indeed is the origin of some of the names; so-called experts cannot agree, so what chance have we mere mortals? It is 4 of these modern patterns that Eduard have chosen for their first 4 releases.

36144: Camo Netting UK S type Desert

The current standard desert theatre camouflage netting was adopted by British forces in 1999.The 'S' refers to Salisbury Plain, the area where this pattern netting was trialled by the British Army before acceptance and introduction. It follows the standard S type pattern but has sand and brown hues more acceptable to the Middle East environment.

36145: Camo Netting UK S type Woodland

This is the standard type netting used by UK forces in the European theatre; it seems unchanged since its introduction in 1997.

36151: Camo Netting "Barracuda Woodland"

The "Barracuda", although usually identified with modern US forces, actually derives its origins (and name) from the Swedish company Barracuda. Used by many armed forces in modified forms through the world since its introduction in 1987, it is manufactured under licence for all US forces in America.

36154: Camo Netting "Barracuda" Desert

This is the standard desert version of the Barracuda, used by US forces in the Middle East since 1989.

All four of these sets are of excellent quality, with colours and patterns being very well executed. I have seen the Barracuda Desert set in use over a USMC desert vehicle at a friend's house and have to say it can be folded and formed into any shape required and still looks realistic, with no flaking of paint at all on my friend's example. However, he stated the one obvious drawback to these sets; at a size of 23 x 13 cm, you will need 2 or 3 sets to cover anything larger than a modern jeep or land rover in 1/35 scale, and at the launch prices from Eduard this suddenly becomes a very expensive diorama addition. I cannot help but think that a lower pricing would have lead to much better sales in both the short and medium term.

So what do we think?

An very executed diorama addition, of great thought and originality, but the cost will prohibit its full use by diorama builders.

Overall: 8/10

Our thanks to Eduard for the review samples. To purchase this and other Eduard products, click THIS link.

Robin Jenkins