This review covers the Don (Big Daddy) Garlits’ Swamp Rat XXX Top Fuel Dragster 1:25 Scale Atlantis H7152. Saved from oblivion Atlantis has reissued this model. It’s made in the USA and soon to hit model retailers everywhere.

In the drag racing world, they don’t come any bigger than “Big Daddy”. He helped make changes for safer racing and his designs live on in the modern era. He’s a legend to his fans and his numerous championships, speed records and innovations made drag racing what it is today.

Originally issued in 1987, I don’t think it’s been seen in decades. This brand new re-release from Atlantis Models has 77 pieces, molded in white, chrome and clear with vinyl drag racing tires and nice-looking waterslide decals. Included is a replica figure of Don Garlits.

I’ll be honest, I never expected a Great War balloon kit and boy was I surprised to see this kit up for review. The kit consists of a small sprue of polystyrene parts, a left and right balloon halve (polystyrene), a sheet of photoetch balloon basket lines and a decal sheet. Oh, the best part for those of you how enjoy making dioramas, the kit includes a set of 40 each 3D printed figures in various poses. Wow! You will probably need to take advantage included polystyrene model stand.

Construction is very straight-forward beginning with the two balloon halves. I found the molding very well done and the fit was very good as well. The plastic of the two balloon halves is quite thick, but I think that helps in the grand scheme of things. Even with the great fit, it will be necessary to a little work seam joint. A little extra attention will be necessary at both ends of the balloon where there appears to be extra panels to strengthen the fabric panel seams.

I am constantly impressed with companies in the Ukraine who still produce under the extreme situation of kinetic war. Clear Prop is not the first model I have purchased from them, and the kits have been, without question, some of the finest available on the planet. The Skyshark is one of those… I consider it an honor to review this kit, and express extreme gratitude to them for providing IPMS USA with this new release.

Intro

Shore Patrol is mustering everyone back to the ship, time to start our 2^nd leg of this journey...In this review we’ll install the flight deck, all the armament and ancillary pieces from part 1, build up the hangar deck walls, and fit out the ship with railings, ladders, and nets. This is a really extensive, and sometimes repetitive part of the build. There are probably several ways to do it, I have a different approach in mind for the next one I build as a matter of fact. So let’s see how it came together.

The ICM FWD WW1 Ammunition truck Type B, is another one of the unsung heroes of transportation from the Great war. ICM has chosen to give us the opportunity to add that vehicle to our collections . Upon receiving the kit I tore into it with great excitement , this has been on my hit list of builds . For the purposes of review the accompanying paint set for the vehicle was in the box and will be a separate review. Opening the box, I was not surprised to see it was packaged in the traditional ICM format of ta top box art cover with the contents in a top opening white box which I have found is extremely sturdy and survives shipping well. The first bit to be examined was the instructions, they are a center staple magazine format comprising 24 pages with 110 individual steps followed by 3 different color and marking templates. 110 steps at first seems excessive , it is actually done to clarify the process a bit better and is actually well done.