Scale Plastic & Rail

1/32 Su-25 Seatbelts Eduard

1/32 Su-25 Seatbelts
Eduard
Catalogue # 32725
Available direct from Eduard for 18.75 Єuros

The major 1/32 scale release of a Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot A from Trumpeter not only came as a bit of a pleasant surprise around a year ago but has proved a popular subject with large scale jet modellers – this despite the fact that the kit has several inaccuracies in both shape and detail, some of which require major work to correct.

One of the poorer areas of the kit is the K-36D ejector seat, with its below-standard etched safety belts and straps and incorrect lower shape. The real item is a complicated, detailed structure with many addition handles and levers (below) which the kit does not replicate to anywhere near the complexity required.

Credit: http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=214994

There have been several decal sheets, etched sets and resin aftermarket items launched over the last few months to improve the basic Trumpeter kit. Eduard have previously launched sets covering the interior, exterior and the avionics bays for the aircraft and now they have released an etched set of details and seatbelts to improve the seat in the Trumpeter kit.

The set itself (below) is thorough and well designed. It is of the pre-coloured variety and covers all of the major requirements to improve the kit seat.

A close-up of part of the fret (above) shows the colours and textures achieved on the fret. I must confess I thought the shade of red used in the fret a little on the bright side and this will need to be toned down somewhat to get the most realistic results. The use of the belts will take care and patience, since the belts have to be folded and moulded naturally to achieve the correct final shapes.

One point I would make is that since Eduard are able to make excellent seats of their own via the BRASSIN range, such as their 1/48 KM-1M seat I reviewed in June (albeit at a price), the production of a belt set such as this seems the "easy way out"; a fully, detailed seat is what most modellers would want for the Trumpeter kit, so Eduard may have missed an opportunity here. After all, even with these belts in place, the seat is till not the right shape.

So What Do We Think?
A nicely produced detail set that probably should have been part of a full replacement seat to give the best results.

A useful etched set

Our thanks to Eduard for the review sample. To purchase directly, click THIS link.

Robin Jenkins.