introduction

Although this is a first-look review, a full-build of the Trumpeter BR 52 Locomotive using all 4 of Eduard's sets will shortly be available to read as a Feature article.

the set

You get an awful lot in this set! Three frets are included, two of which are over 8x5 inches, the third 'normal' sized. As this is an exterior set, it's probably the most visible of the four sets for the BR52 that you can buy from Eduard.

Some idea of the extensive nature of this set can be gained from the size of the instructions themselves...................... 10 sides of instructions. They're big frets, but they're not made up of big parts, most of them being additions such as straps, brackets, supports, and catches etc.

Not knowing much about the construction of real trains, it's difficult to describe exactly what you get in this set, but you do get over 150 numbered parts to enhance your model, nearly all of which will be very visible indeed on the finished display, and don't forget that the numbers 1 to 155 nearly always apply to multiple parts, and I'm not going to try and count them!

Included in the set are ring brackets for cylinders, frames, countless small angle brackets and also nuts to detail them. There are grid sections to replace some floor panels, external frames for the cabin windows and doors, hinges, catches for the front of the boiler, many panel doors are completely replaced along with their hinges, along with numerous small tread plates.

As you'd expect with a set of this size, at times it can be complicated. Just keeping track of where you are in the instructions can be difficult! Eduard have tried to make it as painless as possible, by keeping everything in a logical order of construction that roughly follows the Trumpeter order of construction. Areas where styrene has to be removed from the kit are called out in red, and areas on the model that you're required to fill are called out in green as per usual with Eduard instructions.

conclusion

A well thought out, very comprehensive set of photo etch upgrades. There isn't much in this set that you won't use! Highly recommended.

My thanks to Eduard for the review sample.