Reviews

Review Author
Timothy Gidcumb
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$14.02

Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Aires T-28 Trojan air brake assembly for the 1/32 Kitty Hawk T-28 Trojan kit. One of the first things to notice with this product is the excellent presentation of the packaging with the sealed flap on the back of package to allow for easy access to parts.

Upon removal of all the different parts that make up the air brake assembly you will notice the great detail that we have come to expect from Aires QB products. The molding and detail on the parts are excellent and they come off the resin block with little effort along with the help of an X-Acto blade or razor saw.

Book Author(s)
Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork, RAF
Review Author
George Cully
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$15.00

Drawing heavily upon an unpublished history of Britain’s Air Sea Rescue Service produced after WWII by the Air Ministry’s Air Historical Branch, this softback reprint was originally published in 2005 as a follow-on to a 2003 effort by Pitchfork entitled Shot Down and On the Run. That book dealt with British and Commonwealth aircrew who found themselves on the ground in enemy territory—mostly in northern Europe—but were able to successfully “escape and evade,” often with the help of brave souls who risked their lives—and the safety of their families--in so doing.

Review Author
David Dodge
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$39.99

Intro

This kit was introduced in February of 2017. It is a follow-on to Dragon releases of the Magach 1 and 2 and 3. It is listed under the 6 Day war series. The kit includes the newer parts to add the ERA tiles but also includes the earlier parts to build the earlier Magach versions. Parts like the 90mm gun, back deck and grill doors and mantlet. Research should be done to identify the appropriate versions of parts included so you back-rev the kit with the correct parts.

Book Author(s)
Andrew Brookes Illustrator: Adam Tooby
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$20.00

Osprey bio: “Andrew Brookes completed RAF pilot training after graduating from Leeds University. Following reconnaissance and strike tours on Victors, Canberras and Vulcans he joined the tri-service policy and plans staff of Commander British Forces, Hong Kong. He flew over 3,000 hours as an RAF reconnaissance and strike pilot. He was a UK nuclear release officer in NATO and the last operational RAF Commander at the Greenham Common cruise missile base. He was coordinator of air power studies at the RAF Advanced Staff College and he is now Chief Executive of The Air League. He broadcasts widely and this is his 18th aviation book, including four for Osprey. He received the Defense Aerospace Journalist of the Year Award in 2004 and 2006. In 2009 he was awarded the C P Robertson Memorial Trophy for the best interpretation of the Royal Air Force to the public.”

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$14.95

Short History

As we all know the Spitfire should not need an introduction, after all there were over 24 versions or Mks that existed throughout its illustrious history.

What’s in the Box?

The box comes with a total of 6 white metal pieces to replicate the kit parts very accurately and adding some needed strength to support the aircraft especially with larger 32nd scale aircraft as we tend to do a lot of scratch building and the use of “goodies”. The Landing gear comes packaged in the typical SAC cardboard and bubble blister packaging we are all accustomed to seeing.

The Build

This is a pain free operation and only required a little time along with TLC using couple of sanding sticks, a fine diamond file I also use for PE and my battery powered dremel with a 280-grit abrasive buff wheel.

Review Author
Mike Howard
Published on
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$51.99

Background

The Group “C” racing class ran from 1982 until about 1993. It was an extremely exciting series that saw some of the class cars run over 250 mph on the Le Mans' Mulsanne Straight (the WM-Peugeot recorded the highest 405 km/h / 252 mph). Porsche revolutionized the race series with the 956/962 cars and the associated aerodynamics and ground effects innovations. These Porsche vehicles were dominant for many years and were campaigned by both the factory and private race teams which, for modelers, allows for a multitude of paint and color schemes.

Review Author
Ian Latham
Published on
Company
MiniArt
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$48.75

The MiniArt German Passsenger Car Typ 170V Saloon 4 Doors kit is a 1/35th scale kit ideal for dioramas. This is the 5th incarnation of the MiniArt Mercedees 170V kit and includes the addition of a single female figure. There is a total of 265 parts supplied on 7 grey spue of simi-soft grey plastic with the body cast in one piece and boxed separately, 1 sprue of crystal clear plastic, 1 card of photo-etched brass, and a set of decals that include 11 different marking options. The detail is beautiful and exquisitely cast with no flash and only the subtlest of seams, which are easily removed. The instruction booklet includes beautiful color pictures of the 11 different options as well as well rendered cad drawings of each 48 steps. Color call outs are broken down for Ammo Mig, Humbrol, Mr. Color, Testors and Vallejo paints.

Book Author(s)
Lieutenant Colonel Rick Bishop (Ret.)
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Crecy Publishing, Ltd.
MSRP
$24.95

Crécy Publishing’s biography: “Lieutenant Colonel Rick Bishop flew for over 50 years as a civilian, Army, and Air Force pilot amassing over 16,000 hours in the air. Raised in Miami, Florida his passion for aviation started with flying lessons at the age of 16 which he continued throughout his college years. Voluntarily joining the Army in 1967, he saw action in Vietnam then joined the Air Force in 1974 where he flew jets for four years until being selected to join the U-2 Program. Over the following 13 years he rose to Commander of the 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron prior to further advancement preceding his early retirement in 1991. Rick then flew for American Airlines for the next 16 years. He now resides on a small farm in the rolling hills north of Ocala, Florida.”

Review Author
David Horn
Published on
Company
HK Models Co.
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$209.00

Aircraft and History

The De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito, commonly called “Mossie” or “Wooden Wonder” was a fast, twin engine multi-role aircraft developed and operated during WWII. The Mosquito could operate as a bomber or be fitted with guns (in the nose or in bomb bay) and operate as an effective fighter. Speed was one of the Mosquitos best defensive assets where this aircraft was faster than most piston powered fighters Germany operated. The Mosquito was very capable at high altitude, low altitude, daytime and night operations.

Construction of the Mosquito consisted mostly of wood which was beneficial since “strategic material” (metal) was in high demand during WWII and small “cottage industries” were capable of building parts for the Mosquito and reducing the aircraft manufacturing demand during war time. Some mosquitos were fitted with a “glass” nose while others contained four machine guns and others contained a radar for night fighting operations.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$18.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions now has over twenty-seven years of experience supplying resin and white metal parts to model builders, and their product listing continues to expand. This is the ninth landing gear set from SAC that I have reviewed, and once again, they have provided an excellent metal option for kit-supplied landing gear. This set is intended for the 1/48 scale A-4 Skyhawk that was recently released by Hobby Boss (kit 81764). The purpose of this replacement set is to provide stronger landing gear that is adjustable if necessary to obtain the proper angles. Even with no previous experience in using white metal parts, this set will provide an upgrade that most modelers will have no issue installing.