Paul R. Brown
Reviews By Author
|
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat: A Comprehensive Guide - Modelers Data File #35Published:
This is an updated version of SAM Publications earlier book on the F-14 Tomcat. The book starts with a brief history of the origins of the F-14 and has separate chapters for each of the three variants of the Tomcat, the F-14A, F-14A+/B, and the ultimate Tomcat – the F-14D. Each chapter includes descriptions of each variant, covering things such as the avionics, air-to-air weapons, and other systems for that variant. The chapters are lavishly illustrated with mostly color photographs illustrating many of the squadrons that operated the Tomcat and each chapter includes a listing of the Bureau Numbers for that variant. When it was designed, Grumman assumed that the Tomcat, like the F-4 Phantom, would also be used as a bomber and even the original F-14As had air-to-ground systems… more |
|
Twin Store Carrier with BD3-USKPublished:
This set is designed to be used on Su-34s and Su-35s and should fit either Trumpeter Hasegawa’s kits. The set consists of 18 resin parts which allows you to assemble a pair of the twin store carriers and provides the parts for either configuring the rails for either bombs or rocket launchers. The parts are cast in grey resin which is of medium hardness which is easily cut with a razor saw or a sharp Xacto blade and sands easily. After washing the parts to remove any casting residue, I used a fine razor saw to separate the parts from the casting blocks. The instructions clearly show where to cut the parts off of the casting block and the resin spacers that between the side rail mounts and the center part of the upper pylons. I then used a 400-grit sanding stick to clean up… more |
|
L-265M10 Electronic Warfare Pod for Su-35Published:
This set is designed to be used on any 1/72 scale Su-35 and as the pods are wingtip mounted, they should fit either Trumpeter or Hasegawa kit. The set consists of 6 grey resin parts for two pods and 2 each of the red and green position lights that mount out the outboard sides of the pods. This will allow you to outfit one model. The parts are cast in a light grey resin which is of medium hardness, so it is easily cut with a razor saw or a sharp Xacto blade and sands easily. After washing the parts to remove any casting residue, I used a fine razor saw to separate the parts from the casting blocks. Each pod is cast in two parts consisting of the main body of the pod and a separate tail cap. The instructions clearly show where to cut the parts off of the casting block and if… more |
|
The Grumman A.6 Intruder Modeller’s Data File Scaled Down #11Published:
As noted in the title, this book is a scaled down version of its bigger volume on the Grumman A-6 Intruder family. This volume includes descriptions and photographs of the attack versions of the A-6, as well the tanker (KA-6D) and both electronic warfare versions, the EA-6A and the EA-6B. The book is lavishly illustrated with both color and black and white photographs with informative captions. Chapter 1 briefly discusses the design and development of the A-6. In late 1950’s the Navy issue a request for the design of an all-weather attack aircraft with two crewmembers to replace the A-1 Skyraider. Grumman’s proposal was selected by the Navy and first flew in April of 1960. Adopted by both the Navy and the Marines, the A-6 Intruder became a mainstay of Navy and Marine Corp… more |
|
AL-21F Exhaust Nozzle for Su-24MPublished:
This set is designed to be used on Trumpeter’s Su-24 kits. The set consists of 10 resin parts which allows you to assemble a pair of exhaust nozzles for your Su-24 Fencer. Each nozzle set is comprised of a section with the rearmost fan blades, the flame-holder for the afterburner, the exhaust pipe and the rear nozzle assembly. The set also includes the rear engine bay bulkhead and the oddly shaped section between the two nozzles. The parts are cast in grey resin which is of medium hardness which is easily cut with a razor saw or a sharp Xacto blade and sands easily. After washing the parts to remove any casting residue, I used a fine razor saw to separate the parts from the casting blocks. The instructions clearly show where to cut the parts from the casting block. I use a fine… more |
|
R13B-300 Engine for Ye-152 AircraftPublished:
This set is designed to be used with Modelsvit’s Ye-152 experimental aircraft. The set consists of 5 resin parts providing the portion of the exhaust section of the engine aft of the rear compressor blades. Cast in a light grey resin, the parts exhibit exquisite detail, however, other than the flame-holder for the afterburner and the actual nozzle part, all the details are on the inside of the exhaust tube and are finely rendered. The resin used by Amigo Models is of a medium hardness that is comparable to the injected plastic used in Airfix’s new kits which makes it easy to cut, but not so fragile as to collapse or shatter when cut. I use fine razor saw to separate the parts from the pour stubs and a medium grit (400) sanding stick to clean up the cut edges. I then soaked the… more |
|
Flashpoint Russia – Russian Air Power: Capabilities and StructurePublished:
This is Piotr Butowski’s fourth book for Harpia Publishing on the Russian Air Force. The first two books focused on the aircraft and helicopters currently used by the Russian Air Force and the third book focused on Russia’s air-launched weapons. The focus of this volume is on the structure of the Russia military aviation, with commentary on its possible future. The book is divided into three chapters with several appendices. Chapter One discusses the evolution of the Russian Air Force’s current structure. Chapter Two delves into the different layers of this structure starting with the upper levels and moving on down through to individual units and air bases. Chapter Three discusses the Air Force’s acquisition strategy and the author’s concerns for the future. When the… more |
|
MiG-21MF Airbrakes SetPublished:
This set is designed to be used on Eduard’s MiG-21MF kits that were released last fall. The set consists of 6 resin parts – the two forward speed brakes, the large rear speed brake, two inserts for the forward speed brake bays, and the actuator for the rear speed brake. The rear speed brake and actuator are one for one replacements for the kit parts and offer nicely refined detail over the kit parts. As Eduard molded the forward speed brakes in the fully retracted and flush position on its kits, the biggest change with this set is cutting out the speed brakes and installing the inserts in the lower wing/fuselage part of the kit. I chain drilled around the engraved speed brakes, then removed the remaining plastic between the drilled holes and neatened up the opening… more |
|
MiG-21MF Fighter-Bomber Photoetch SetPublished:
This set is designed to be used on Eduard’s MiG-21MF “Fighter-Bomber” kit that was released by Eduard last fall. The set provides full color replacements for the cockpit walls, consoles, canopy rails, canopy and the instrument panel. It also includes a several pieces for the ejection seat harness, the “Odd Rods” IFF antennas and static dischargers. The first step is to paint the kit cockpit tub parts. The instructions advise you to paint the cockpit Mr. Color H-46 Emerald Green, however, this color looks much to green to me, so I experimented with a custom mix of 5 parts Tamiya X-14 Sky to 1 part Tamiya X-25 Clear Green which turned out to be pretty close to the color Eduard used for the sidewall and console parts. The sidewall parts need to be bent slightly to match the kit… more |
|
Team Factory: Carrier Air Wing Eight at War - Operation Inherent Resolve 2017Published:
Last summer Furball Aero Design released a set of decals for Carrier Air Wing Eight during its participation in Operation Inherent Resolve in 2017. And what a set it is, providing markings for five F/A-18F’s (VFA-213), eight F/A-18E’s (VFA-31 and VFA-87), three F/A-18C’s (VFA-37) and two EA-18G’s (VAQ-131) and include the markings for VFA-87’s F/A-18E that shot down a Syrian Su-22 on June 18, 2017 (both before and after) and its wingman. The decals are on two sheets and appear to include enough stencils for 3 models (2 Super Hornets/Growlers and one Legacy Hornet (F/A-18C). The instructions are very comprehensive and include 6 pages illustrating the markings for the different jets, three pages showing where the stencils go on each type of aircraft and two pages of load-out… more |