Today it is worth it!

In yesterdays post I highlighted the two arguments for using photo etched parts in plastic kits and pondered if it was really worth it. Today I had to do some more etched parts on the MiniArt Egyptian T34 tank kit but in my view this particular use is well worth the effort. The rear deck of the tank has the engine under it so there has to be some means of cooling it beyond the usual radiator and so most tanks do have some sort of grill above the engine compartment. Doing this part in plastic would mean, due to the limitations of the moulding process, a representation of the see through grill panel could only be provided with no ability to see through it.. The kit has some control flaps under the grill so there is something to see through the grill. To provide that visibility and overall finesse the grill is provided as a two part metal etch. Both are large, relatively easy to handle and to bend to shape - nice!

I used some Gorilla Superglue gel for the first time to glue the two eched parts together and it seems to work well. Tomorrow I will glue the grill in place and then add the rear and two side panels to the rear deck. May only be a few parts assembled today but it was worth it!