The cockpit of a model aircraft is a focal point for both builders and viewers.  Eduard’s recent and really quite excellent 1:48 scale F-6D Mustang (the reconnaissance version of the P-51D; and see our review HERE <link pending>) has a good cockpit for an injection-molded kit, but it can be even better.  The ultimate in detail for the Eduard F-6D cockpit can be found in their Brassin super-detailed cockpit set. 

Eduard Brassin # 648600 (F-6D Cockpit; MSRP = $39.95) contains 43 cast resin parts, 30 photoetched metal parts on one fret (some pre-painted), one small decal sheet, and one set of clear acetate parts. 

This is a complete cockpit replacement for the Eduard kit.  It is mostly a drop-in set, with only minor surgery (removal of the forward cockpit floor to be replaced with a resin version) required to get everything to fit in the kit.  This set contains parts for the all-metal Warren-McArthur 243B-AS1 seat fitted with an upholstered backpad.  The set also features a complete set of sidewalls, a new radio and battery, gunsight, four styles of fuel tank selector panels, three styles of headrests, the control column, rudder pedals, throttle, oxygen hose, the radio and battery rack, canopy brace, and much more.  Three different cast resin instrument panel options, each featuring great raised detail, and the instrument dials themselves are represented by individually printed decals – a very good combination, indeed.  Other decals are provided to represent various data placards in and around the cockpit.

The photoetched metal detail parts provide a set of pre-painted shoulder harnesses and lap belts.  The detail here is gorgeous, from individual stitching details on the belts to shading/depth effects and separate belt latches (some are very small parts, so be careful).  Other PE parts are applied to various locations throughout the cockpit.  Clear acetate parts are provided for the gunsight glass. 

Specific F-6D details are very well represented.  Chief among them is the intervalometer located on the cockpit floor by the pilot’s left leg.  This unit was used to operate the reconnaissance camera equipment.  F-6Ds were modified from P-51Ds in production Blocks 5, 10, 15, and above.  Depending on the origins of the F-6D that you are building, this set has all the possible instrument panel contingencies very thoughtfully covered.

This set joins Eduard’s other excellent Brassin cockpits for the Mustang in the form of their P-51D-5 and -D10+ sets.  These cockpits are among some of the best Brassin products that Eduard has produced.  For those interested in doing a recce Mustang with a truly super-detailed cockpit, look no further.

We extend our sincere thanks to Eduard for the review sample.  You can visit them on the web at http://www.eduard.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EduardCompany/

Haagen Klaus
Scale Modeling News & Reviews Editor
Detail & Scale