Less then a month ago I sent an email to Eduard regarding ammo boxes they include in many of their newer sets. Many new sets for 1/35 armor, both modern and ww2, include parts to upgrade .50 cal M2 machine gun, and among other parts there is also ammo box. Unfortunately the ammo box included in all these sets is old ww2 style box, useless for modern models, as modern ammo cases are completely different. I described this problem in my email, and offered some photos of correct ammo boxes.

One day later I received an email signed by Karel Padar, Chairman. He asked for mentioned photos. I collected quite a lot of photos of various ammo cases (most came from eBay, as people sell a lot of this stuff), categorized them, added description showing which boxes were used in ww2, which in Vietnam and what is in use today, and sent it all to Karel. I also mentioned in the email that ammo box mount brackets (the mount for the ammo box to attach it to the M2 gun) included in some of their sets for modern armor is also ww2 style, with eight round lightening holes, instead of correct modern four rectangular holes.

There was no reply until a week ago when I received another email from Karel - he asked for my postal address.
And five days later I received a small package from Czech Republic. It included four brand new painted "zoom" PE sets - two of them are ammo boxes sets!!!

One set (TP508) is "US Ammo boxes. Present" set. It included three modern .50 cal style ammo boxes, painted and with correct yellow stenciling. One box is marked as .50 cal, the other is 9mm and one is 5.56mm - it is 100% correct, as the same box is used for all these types of ammunition and the photos I sent to Karel show all three kinds of stencils. I didn't try to bend the brass yet, but it looks that the boxes will look very accurate. The bonus in the set is inclusion of two correct modern style ammo box brackets for M2 gun!!! :-) Great to replace incorrect parts in Eduard sets for M113, M923 and others vehicles.

The other set is TP504 and is called "US cal. 30 boxes. WW.II". In this set are again three boxes, this time smaller .30 cal ammo boxes with embossed walls - indeed correct ww2 style. There is a clever idea used to achieve the embossing on box walls - the shape is etched on the inside of the box - the outer sides are smooth. You are supposed to use a ball pen, and using the etched grooves on the inner side of the box as a template, emboss the correct shape on the box walls. Clever! And again there are two mount brackets included - this time one ww2 style with round holes and one modern style with rectangular holes. The only problem is that these are the same big mounts as in the other set - they are for .50 cal boxes and M2 gun. I think they are not correct for .30 cal guns and ammo...

The remaining two sets I received are painted placards for Jeep (TP505) and Dodge (TP506). They look great and will definitely improve the look of models, but as I only build modern stuff, I can't comment on their accuracy. Dodge set includes the etched (not painted) "DODGE" logo plate that as far as I know is missing from Skybow kits, so it is a nice addition.

You can see more information on these sets here:
http://www.eduard.cz/newsletter/i2003-10.php
Honestly speaking I think the ammo box sets are a bit overpriced - about $10 for three ammo boxes is a little too much. Placards sets for the same price are more acceptable.

I'm not sure if information I provided to Karel Padar was actually used to produce these new sets, but anyway - the fact that they sent me samples of four of their new sets (worth about $45) for free incicates how GREAT THE EDUARD COMPANY IS!!!



Rgds,
Pawel

$10 for three ammo boxes is not 'a little too much' , $10 for three ammo boxes is abusive...
As the useful expression goes here, "¡Manos arriba, esto es un atraco...!"

(translation, "Hands up, this is a robbery....!") Jim

As a postscript, It's good to hear that a company is going that extra bit as far as service goes, that is nice to hear but......

I saw the pictures.... They look nice, but imagine filling a truck or jeep with a number of these boxes.. It's gonna cost you, both money and folding time..... #:-)

I know that when Mig Jimenez sent me some samples of the stuff he was going to be producing later, he only sent me one sprue of each ammo box. The package he sells actually had three in it, but he wanted me to have a sample quickly so he just sent the one. This might be the case with you, in that they wanted you to have a set quickly so they just sent one. The add doesn't say how many is in the package, so the possibilty exists that there might be more, right? Or am I wrong?

Rob

I doubt it. What I received look like complete retail packages in original packing, with instructions etc.. So I'm quite sure three boxes is all you get for the money...

Rgds,
Pawel

Hi Pawel

Now that you seem to have easy access to Eduard big boss, would you please drop a word in his ear about some PE for the "new" M2A2 from Tamiya (some square tie-downs such as those found on each side would be fine to hang the new Tamiya US accessories ! )

TIA
Frenchy

Eduard just released some PE sets for Bradley... Full interior; crew compartement and turret as two separate sets and there is also exterior set for M2.

Mario M.

Now, that's customer service!!!! Too bad many places can't or won't do things like that. If they did they would get alot more business and loyal following for their products.
My hat's off to Eduard's for caring so much for the average person's needs!!!!

I already looked at the sets, they are really beautifull. I got the old interior and exterior set, man, the difference is undiscribable...

But keep in mind these new sets are designed for the initial Bradley... Many items will be usable on the A1, A2 and A2 ODS variants, but not everything.
Only the A0 (initial) and A1 had the trim vane, A1 and A2 have a redesigned bustle rack and ammo box holders, A2 ODS had the ammo box holders redesigned again..
A2 ODS has a new, box-line, exhaust....
And I hope to be wrong, but I could find nothing that indicates they included the hydraulic closing mechanism for the ramp...

Looking at the quality of the released sets, I hope they also release a set for the Tamiya A2 ODS, but I have this strange feeling the old sets I have are going to "mysteriously" disappear in the near future

Well said Johan. Nothing left to say . Sometimes Eduard releases great PE sets...for old kits, but "better late than never !" . Their Bradley turret interior set looks interesting, judging by the instruction sheet. But a set for these hard-to-scratchbuild tie-downs would be great.....Pleeeease !

Frenchy