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In-Box Review
148
SPAD XIII Weekend Etch
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by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

It always seems a little ironic to sell a cut-down version of a standard Eduard kit as a Weekend Edition (great for modellers looking for a simpler, low cost build) and then release etched details for it separately.

That said, set #FE448 does offer some worthwhile additions to the Weekend Edition SPAD XIII (item #8424) , with a nicely prepainted multi-part seat harness, the minimal instruments of the full-sized machine, plus a very neat little map and case. There's a nice delicate throttle to attach to the cockpit side, a pair of gunsights, plus fine mesh louvres for the cowling to replace the solid plastic ones (although the latter do risk a see-through look with the empty interior).

The instructions are straightforward and easy to follow, so modellers of average ability should have no trouble and, with just 28 parts, this is an ideal introduction to adding etched details to a kit. As usual, a colour version of the instructions (shown here) is available from Eduard's website, but the B&W printed version more than suffices for this simple set.

Conclusion
Perhaps I'm missing something somewhere, but I can't help wondering quite who sets like this are aimed at. Presumably, most people buying a Weekend Edition kit will do so precisely because they want a simpler model that doesn't include extras like etched parts.

In the case of the SPAD. anyone wanting the additional details would be better off buying the standard kit (#8196) which offers better value for money, being only 5 cents dearer than the combined price of the Weekend Edition kit and the Etched Set, and of course including four decal options against the Weekend Editions's one. Nevertheless, this set is recommended for anyone wanting to augment the Weekend Edition.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
SUMMARY
Highs: Simple to use, with excellent pre-painting and useful details.
Lows: Questionable value when added to the price of the Weekend Edition, as compared to the standard kit.
Verdict: There's no faulting the etched parts themselves, but you might want to check out the full kit for its extra options for almost the same price.
Percentage Rating
75%
  Scale: 1:48
  Mfg. ID:  FE488
  Suggested Retail: $ 14.95
  Related Link: Spad XIII Weekend 1/48 PE ZOOM set
  PUBLISHED: Jul 26, 2009
  NATIONALITY: France
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.59%

Our Thanks to Eduard!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

I can whole heartedly agree with your sentiments Rowan. The PE is a fine little set but is it worth the price when you can pick up the standard late model kit and get more for almost the same price as the weekend kit plus the weekend PE? Since I am in the middle of building the standard kit I think it is a fair assessment. With the standard you get at least more decal choices.
JUL 26, 2009 - 05:03 PM
   
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