Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

[Second Air Force]

No.1 sent this to me for review, courtesy of Eduard. It is, of course, engineered to fit the Eduard Bf-109E. With little extra work it can also be adapted to other kits as the builder finds appropriate. First an overview of the kit and later I'll start to build it up.

Box and instruction sheet, typical of this manufacturer. I should mention that the box was somewhat crushed during the trip across the Atlantic. Due to Eduard's careful packing and use of foam rubber cushions there was absolutely no damage to any of the very delicate resin parts.

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

All the components laid out for inspection:

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

This is the accessory section showing the extremely fine detail of this complex part:

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

The PE fret with detail parts for both the engine and cowling:

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

And this, to my eye, is the highlight of the kit. This resin cowling is fully detailed inside and out, and is so thinly cast that light shines through! This is the pinnacle of resin casting in my opinion:

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

Next update will begin the buildup.
Scott

[Sall]

Niceeee!! Go ahead!

[No.1]

[Second Air Force]

This evening I spent an hour or so removing the casting blocks and flash from the parts. Again, I'm very impressed with the engineering of this kit as the parts were very easy to remove without damaging them as I've done with other resin products. The molds are carefully designed to facilitate this and it is a great help. When all the pieces were cleaned up and fitted I started assembly by installing the valve covers, reduction box, and aft accessory to the engine.

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

Here's another photo of the accessory section after installing it--great detail cast into this part!

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

[No.1]

Engine is so good that it is worth to be displayed even separately

[Second Air Force]

Yes, I agree. I'm looking at various museum photos to come up with my display stand ideas, yet leave open the option to one day install the entire assembly into an airplane, too.

[Sall]

Greaaat!!!

[draken35]

[Second Air Force]

Here is the finished Eduard DB 601. This is completely out-of-the-box with one exception--I drilled a hole in the propeller shaft and inserted a piece of wire to facilitate handling the model. This is a most beautiful accessory to add to any early Messerschmitt and I highly recommend it to all.

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

I've started a proper stand to display the engine on. Judging from photos of engine changes in the field, the barrels were a traditional expedient workstand for the Luftwaffe troops!

[No.1]

It look gorgeous mate

[Second Air Force]

As I mentioned earlier, it's a beautiful addition to a Bf-109E model (or would be equally nice on a Bf-109F with a few small changes, Bf-110C/D or MC 202), or can be a stand-alone display in itself.

I must mention that I haven't installed a couple of items on this engine. One is the external header tank that goes on the left front of the engine, used only on the E-7 Trop variant. The others are Dzus latches for the cowling and the spark plug access doors and fittings that go on the exhaust shrouds. These will be used when the entire engine upgrade kit is installed on an airframe.

Thanks to Eduard for this review sample, and No.1 for forwarding it to me for examination. For purchase of this great kit and other Eduard products: http://www.eduard.com/

P.S.
Eduard's home page shows their new Fw-190A-9 kit is now being produced!

[draken35]

[Second Air Force]

Thanks, mate!

I mentioned the stand I was going to build so here are a couple of photos of it. This rotates so that the underside of the engine can be viewed. The second photo shows it displayed with the finished Eduard Emil, much as it sits in the display case.

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

Eduard DB 601 in 1/48

[draken35]

Very nice!!!

[No.1]

Nice work mate