As usual with Weekend Editions, the kit arrives packed tightly in a sturdy box that doubles as an extra painting guide with colour profiles on the side. The kit comprises:

94 x pale olive styrene parts
2 x clear parts
Decals for a single aircraft

The parts are very crisply moulded with no sign of flash or other problems. The surface finish is excellent, with subtly rendered fabric flying surfaces and neatly engraved panel lines and raised panels and fairings. When the first of Eduard's I-16 series (the Type 10) was originally released, there were problems with the shape of the cowling. To their credit, Eduard were quick to answer their critics and revised the shape of the parts, and it's good to see the updated cowlings included again here. The parts breakdown follows Eduard's standard practice of how to deal with minor airframe variations between different versions; rather than expect the purchaser to fill or scribe new panel lines, or fit alternative panels (that often don't match surrounding detail as well as you'd hope) Eduard go the whole hog and mould entirely new main parts - in this case both the fuselage and wings are changed, with extra access panels and cockpit entry doors, etc. This policy might not be as cost effective for the manufacturer, but it's much more modeller-friendly, so I hope Eduard continue doing things this way.

Most of the details are basically the same as the earlier kit (see the Build-Review HERE), so I won't bore you describing them all again in depth. There's a nicely equipped 12-part cockpit, a delicately detailed undercarriage, and although the engine is rather basic, it's essentially hidden behind the typical Polikarpov-style cowling. The only real difference this time is that, this being a Weekend Edition, there are no etched details included now. So, no seat harness or pre-painted instruments (a decal is provided for the latter) - and, more importantly, no radiator shutters to fit behind the cowl face. It's common to see the shutters fully or partly closed in photos of the full-sized parked aircraft, so you may want to add strips of styrene to simulate them.

Instructions & Decals

The assembly diagrams are clearly drawn and I found the construction sequence logical enough when I built the Type 10. One change I did make was to leave the cowl off until later than suggested so that I could paint the camouflage before installing the exhausts. The undercarriage looks deceptively straightforward but, if this is anything like the earlier kit, take a little extra care to ensure it all lines up correctly.

As usual, Eduard give colour matches for Gunze Sangyo paints, but once again I'll use the excellent WEM Colourcoats for my kit. The kit includes decals for just one aircraft: Boris Safonov's "White 11" of the 72.SAP, Northern Fleet, 1941, emblazoned with large patriotic slogans on both sides of the fuselage.

The small sheet of thin, glossy, decals is printed in perfect register with crystal clear carrier

Conclusion

Eduard's Weekend Edition 'Type 24 is a fine little kit. It's good value and basically simple enough to be suitable for anyone with a couple of builds under their belt. No collection of VVS aircraft is really complete without a Polikarpov I-16 - and Eduard's series build into very attractive models. Recommended.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.