MiniArt is a Ukrainian company specializing in 1/35 figures and some vehicle kits. The figures tend to be packaged in groups with unique poses or unusual subjects. Over the years, they have become one of the leaders in injection molded figures, and more recently, they have started issuing sets of modern military figures.

This kit is one of their newer releases and features figures to be posed with modern German AFVs. The kit includes five figures in various poses, and includes a female crew member representing many modern armies that have women serving in combat roles. The four male figures are posed in a standing position that is meant to be posed in the turret hatch of the vehicle. The female figure is posed sitting.

This is a review of the Revell ’80 Jeep Honcho “Ice Patrol” kit.

Engine

There was little flash on the engine parts but there is also very little detail. You get just a very basic engine with a way oversize fanbelt.

Interior

Only faint engraving can be seen on the door panels making it very difficult to detail paint. The kit does have 2 different decals for the gauge cluster.

Body

The body went together pretty well. The rear portion of the box is a separate piece that I didn’t care for, but it fit very well. You get a choice with decals in either blue tone or orange. My choice was the blue to go along with the Tru-Color metallic bright Atlantic Blue paint. The inside of the box was painted with Rustoleum texture paint for a spray in bedliner look.

The kit comes with a toolbox, 2 gas cans and a snowmobile. Once assembled, the sled won’t fit in the box of the truck with the tailgate up.

I have read Scale Aircraft Modelling (SAM) on and off for many years which is possible because this is the 39th year it has been in production. It is an English publication and, as the name implies, covers aircraft modeling. Normally I purchase my copy at a local bookstore but this issue came directly from the publisher so let’s take a look and see what is in store.

There are 88 pages counting the inside and outside of the front and rear covers. Not sure what those are counted but have noticed this in other magazines. There is also 8 pages numbered separately in the middle of the magazine with no explanation.

One of the first things I noticed is the cover, duh, which has a nice painting of a Bachem Natter in flight. There are also a few pictures of some of the articles inside.

PJ Production is a Belgian firm that specializes in the creation and production of resin scale models and accessories aimed at modelers of military aircraft kits and aviation-related dioramas in 1/72nd, 1/48th and 1/32nd scale. Their lines include fine and accurately detailed cast resin replacement and supplemental parts for model kits in the most commonly produced scales.

PJ Productions has produced a resin CRP 37 Pylon for use with Mirage III BS/DS/BJ and Cheetah D aircraft with an RP 825 Drop Tank. (This issue appears to be a separate casting of just the pylon from their set # 481216, which includes the tank). An out-of-box evaluation (see photos) indicates a reproduction of the French manufactured pylon that provides a realistic scale-detailed assembly with the appropriate attachment supports. The panel detailing is extremely fine.

Master – Reality in Miniature is a scale model metal detailing parts manufacturer located in Poland. Their lines include exquisitely detailed photo-etched, turned brass and white metal replacement parts for aircraft and ships in the most commonly produced scales.

Master has produced replacement cannons of the early type, with un-sheathed barrels for any 1/72 Hawker Tempest early Mk V kits, or early Fury or Sea Fury kits. Also included is a turned brass pitot tube. These items are intended to completely replace the plastic kit parts. My example kit (a Maquette issue from Russia) is a Mk V, and my research indicates it is the correct version that this particular part issue would be appropriate for.