EDUARD [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

In-Box Review
148
RAF Fighter Crew 1940
1/48 scale RAF Fighter Crew figure set
  • 01173

by: Jean-Luc Formery [ TEDMAMERE ]

The Kit
Eduard's new figure kit comes in their standard top opening cardboard box. In it there are two dark grey plastic sprues bagged in a ziplock bag and an instruction sheet.

With what is provided on the two plastic trees, you can assemble four pilots and two crew members. What is immediately noticeable, is that Eduard decided to give to their figures a dynamic attitude. As you can see on the top cover artwork, the goal was obviously to depict a "scramble" scene during the Battle of Britain.

The overall moulding quality is typical of Eduard's previous efforts in the same field. If you already have an Eduard figure kit, you probably know what I mean. The figures are molded is several pieces (two legs, torso, two arms and the head) and this doesn't make the assembly easier. Even worse it sometimes gives an "unnatural" look to the figure and this is exacerbated in this RAF set. In their previous sets it wasn't that serious as the personnel was mainly depicted in standing poses, but in Eduard's attempt to give the RAF figures a more dynamic attitude, they made things look even less realistic in my opinion. The figures, once assembled, look more like "fat robots" than British WW2 pilots. Two of them (the crew members) even have bullet holes in their heads because of sink marks(see red arrows)!

I decided to place one of the RAF figures aside one from each of their currently available sets (Luftwaffe, Japanese Army and VVS) so that you can make yourself an opinion. I personaly think the RAF figures are their worst effort. I also compared one with a similar figure from the ICM RAF set... no comment!

Now the most irritating is that this new set doesn't provides any additional accessory. There was a table, some tools and armament in the Luftwaffe set and a very nice bike in the Japanese Army set for example. Both even had a small photo etched fret for the smaller details parts. There is nothing like that in the RAF set despite the fact that the price is the same!? Only six figures and that's all! Doh!

Conclusion
This is by far the worst figure set made by Eduard. Not only do the pilots and crew members look too fat, but you get less for the same price when you compare this set to others produced by Eduard. The Czech manufacturer is making some of the most fantastic aircraft model kits but these figures are really not to the same standards. I would only recommend them to a modeller who absolutely needs dynamic figures for a Battle of Britain diorama and who is willing to wait some time until they have finished their diet.
SUMMARY
Highs: Dynamic figures.
Lows: Figures look to fat. Unnatural poses. No accessories. High price.
Verdict: Worst Eduard figure set so far! Only recommended to someone who desperately need some RAF figures for a Battle of Britain scramble scene.
Percentage Rating
55%
  Scale: 1:48
  Mfg. ID: 8507
  Suggested Retail: 12.95$
  PUBLISHED: Jul 14, 2007
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.63%
  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.

View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

About Jean-Luc Formery (TedMamere)
FROM: MOSELLE, FRANCE

I'm mainly interested in WW2 aircraft and I build them in 1/48 scale.

Copyright ©2021 text by Jean-Luc Formery [ TEDMAMERE ]. 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

Thanks for the review Jean Luc.
JUL 14, 2007 - 12:43 PM
Looks like a very fair review Jean-Luc. I almost bought this set on the strength of the box art last weekend. Glad I decided to buy the new Airfix MKI Spit instead. Nige
JUL 14, 2007 - 09:23 PM
What, no sheep?
JUL 16, 2007 - 06:16 AM
Not a single one!
JUL 16, 2007 - 08:08 AM
   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • 02135
  • 03112
  • 04123
  • 05107
  • 06101
  • 0799
  • 0896
  • 0989
  • 10124
  • 11120
  • 12104
  • 1398
ADVERTISEMENT