Andy Renshaw
Reviews By Author
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Washingtonia Filifera Palm LeavesPublished:
This is a somewhat interesting and slightly odd choice by Eduard. Washingtonia filifera is native to the Western US, and doesn’t really reside outside the region except for cultivated landscaping. It is primarily found around spring-fed oases in the low desert of Colorado, hot springs of Nevada, and rivers within Arizona and California. It has also been found in Florida and the Virgin Islands as well, most likely from transplants used as ornamental trees. The full tree can grow up to 60 feet in height, with shorter examples being seen in gardens and younger plants. A distinguishing characteristic are the long white fibrous threads that are between the segments of the leaflets. On adult trees, dead fronds stay attached to the tree and drop, forming a skirt around the trunk that… more |
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Soviet ZB-500 Napalm BombsPublished:
For decades, modelers here in the West were left with little choices when it came to modeling Soviet and Eastern Bloc aircraft. What was available was slim and, at best, based on grainy pictures and third-party drawings. However, as history unfolded, more became available after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Eastern Bloc nations became part of the information exchange. More accurate kits were produced – but, alas, not much in the way of ordnance. Within the last few years, there has been a keen interest in providing accurate and highly detailed weapons loads to match the highly detailed models now on the market. The accessibility of solid reference material, coupled with advances in resin molding technology, has created a perfect environment for a host of new aftermarket… more |
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Coconut Palm FrondsPublished:
The coconut palm is ubiquitous across the tropic and subtropical areas of the globe. Basically, any coastal region or areas with ready access to water, direct sunlight, and high yearly temperatures are fertile places for the coconut palm. In most of recorded military history, many of the world’s conflicts have been fought in this same tropic and subtropical zone. Thus, where the soldiers went, so were the palms. Representing these palms in scale for dioramas has always been a challenge for modelers, and a wide variety of solutions have come about. Doing photo-etched palms is nothing new. However, the application of color to make them pre-painted makes this set quite novel. Eduard’s new set provides some palm leaves (fronds) if the modeler wishes to go the photo-etch route. The… more |
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F-104 Starfighter Pitot TubePublished:
Master has a whole range of turned and photo etched metal details for aircraft and ships, in all scales. From gun barrels to radar masts, the details are not only more in scale, but stronger than anything in resin or PE, thus resistant to the occasional bump or clumsy hands. This item provides a turned metal pitot tube for the 1/32 F-104. In the Bag and Installation: The single-piece turned aluminum part comes in a bag with card hanger. The part is perfect, the correct length, and has the proper shape. A small protruding rod at the aft end is used to insert it into the nose cone of the kit after drilling the correct size hole. Since the tube is aluminum, I would suggest installing it before painting, then mask off the natural metal areas of the… more |
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EA-6B ICAP-2 (Early) Cockpit Set for Kinetic KitPublished:
Aires always releases some fantastic resin and photo-etch accessories, adding a great deal of detail to the finished model. Much excitement surrounded Kinetic when they released a 1:48 EA-6B Prowler, newly tooled. This cockpit set adds a substantial additional level of detail to the kit. First, let’s take a look at a little history and nomenclature so you can decide if this is the correct kit for you. The EA-6B has gone through five upgrades, six if you count the canceled ADVCAP. Each changed the internal cockpit layout, sometimes drastically, and the electronic equipment that was carried. From the exterior most of the various upgrades can be spotted by the differing antenna fits, so this makes it a little easier for the modeler wanting to replicate a particular aircraft… more |
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Stencil Decals for F-4E Slatted Wing Phantom II in SEA CamouflagePublished:
If you are a Phantom Phreak, the one thing you cannot get enough of is stencil data. The Phantom, no matter what service or nationality, seemed to be loaded with stencils. Most Hasegawa kits in 1/48 come with a fairly comprehensive set of stencils, though barely legible, incomplete, and they sometimes can be difficult to blend into the paint. If you have a slatted wing F-4E in your stash, then Afterburner Decals has come to the rescue with this very complete set of stencil data for those Phantoms painted in SEA camouflage and grey undersides. The first thing I noted when I received the sample was the weight! If you are used to the standard half sheet decal with letter size instructions, prepare yourself. In the bag is a ¾ sheet of decal, split between a ½ sheet and ¼ sheet, plus… more |
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SB2C-1C Helldiver Wheel BaysPublished:
Aires has been on the scene for some time now, producing some amazing details in resin and photo etch metal. Among aftermarket aficionados, Aires is the top of the pack for the level of detail and quality of casting. This set for the Monogram Promodeler or Accurate Miniatures 1/48 SB2C Helldiver is no exception. In the BoxThe details for this set come in a small bag stapled to the instructions and card backing. Parts are very finely cast and consist of two resin main gear wells and a smaller tree of parts for gun barrels and actuation rods. The large, one-piece landing gear wells are perfectly cast, and feature more refined detail than what comes in the kit. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. InstallationTo start, you will need the… more |
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F-5E Tiger II Speed BrakesPublished:
Aires has been on the scene for some time now, producing some amazing details in resin and photo etch metal. Among aftermarket aficionados, Aires is the top of the pack for the level of detail and quality of casting. This set for the AFV Club 1/48 series of F-5 Tiger II kits is no exception, though installation is a little time-consuming. In the BoxThe bag with card hanger comes with seven resin parts. There are two actuation cylinders, two new brakes, and a solid part that covers both wells. There are also two additional parts that make up some side wall detail within the well, so don’t forget them during installation! The parts are finely cast in grey resin with no blemishes or flaws. The detail is great, and very fine. A quick comparison to the kit shows there is… more |
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F-5E Tiger II Wheel BaysPublished:
Aires has been on the scene for some time now, producing some amazing details in resin and photo etch metal. Among aftermarket aficionados, Aires is the top of the pack for the level of detail and quality of casting. This set for the AFV Club 1/48 series of F-5 Tiger II kits is no exception, though installation is quite another matter. In the Box The blister pack comes with four resin parts – two main gear wells, one nose gear well, and the actuating rod for the nose gear. The parts are finely cast in grey resin with no blemishes or flaws. The detail is great, and very fine. A quick comparison to the kit shows there is marked improvement over the kit details, both in finesse and accuracy. Also, the overall depth of the main gear wells is improved with… more |
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3.7cm FlaK 43 auf Schwere Wehrmacht Schlepper with Maybach HL42 TRKMS EnginePublished:
I’ve always been interested in self propelled flak guns, whether on a truck or tracked vehicle. Maybe it’s the interesting combination of equipment that makes some very unique looking vehicles. For several years I had the old Italeri sWS kit hanging out in the closet, along with some various details with the idea of building it someday. Lo and behold a new company, Great Wall Hobby, comes on the scene with all-new tool sWS. I hedged my bets and figured they would eventfully release some of the self-propelled flak halftracks based on the sWS. Sure enough, I didn’t have to wait long! The schwere Wehrmacht Schlepper was meant to be a simpler, more cost effective, and more robust halftrack to replace other five ton halftracks, such as the Sdkfz 6 and Sdkfz 11. Over 800 of the base… more |