1:32 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet interior

Eduard 1:32 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet interior — photo-etched set

This is not an airplane kit but an accessory set of photo-etched parts focused on the cockpit interior. The base model of the two-seat Super Hornet in 1:32 scale has to be obtained separately. The photo-etched parts are made from thin metal sheet by chemical etching, so they achieve a thickness and sharpness of detail that injection molding cannot produce.

What a photo-etched interior brings

On a model in 1:32 scale the cockpit is clearly visible, and the plastic rendering of the instrument panels, side consoles and seats tends to be a compromise dictated by the technology. Photo-etched parts replace the thinnest elements — panels, levers, brackets, belts — and the interior immediately gains a sense of scale. The exact make-up of the set is not stated here; you will find the extent of the parts and the recommended procedure in the instructions supplied with the set. Also check that the set matches your kit, because photo-etched interiors are cut for a particular model.

Usage tips

Separate the parts from the fret with a sharp scalpel against a hard surface, not by twisting them. Fold them in a bending tool or between two razor blades — at the fold the sheet is usually etched thinner. They are bonded with cyanoacrylate glue applied in a minimal amount, ideally on the tip of a toothpick; excess glue dulls the surrounding surface. First carefully cut away the original plastic details the photo-etched part replaces and sand the area down. Degrease the metal before painting and use a primer, otherwise the paint holds badly.

Who the set is for

• more experienced modelers building in the large 1:32 scale
• builders of modern jets
• anyone who wants an open cockpit with convincing equipment
• modelers who work with cyanoacrylate glue and a photo-etch bending tool

This is an accessory set, not a kit. The base model, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.