This set provides replacements for the wingtip pitot tubes and the refueling probe tip for the Handley Page Victor. As with all of Master Model’s replacement parts, these are exquisitely made and will be a welcome addition to your Victor. I have the old Matchbox Victor kit, so I compared the replacement parts with the kit parts, and as the photos show, Master Model’s parts are head and shoulders above the kit parts.

Aerobonus continues its line of 1/48 Vietnam flight crew figures with this generic Army helicopter pilot in flight suit and gloves. He holds what must be cigarettes in his right hand (something no good 1960s era pilot would be without out on the flight line, right?), considering that one is minutely sticking up out of the pack. The arms are cast separately, as are the two different heads, one helmeted and one wearing a “cowboy” style hat (and both with a cigarette between their lips). This figure is noticeably shorter than other figures that I have - about half a head hight difference. The face (the same for both options) is also unlike others that I’ve seen.

It’s hard to argue with success and Jimmie Johnson has proven his abilities since he burst onto the NASCAR scene. This kit represents a snap together kit aimed at drawing the youngsters into the hobby with a great looking, easy-to-build race car model.

This review covers the skill level 2 (ages 8 years and older) 2016 release of the Jimmie Johnson Lowe's NASCAR #48 Chevy SS Revell 1:24 Scale Model Kit #85-1475. Molded in color and featuring colorful stickers this kit is the perfect “first model” for young builders. You will need one tool – a small Phillips head screwdriver to affix the body to the chassis. There are 35 pieces molded in black, gray and clear with vinyl tires to go with the pre-painted body. This is a “curbside” kit with no real motor and the interior and suspension parts have minimal detail. Finished dimensions are: Length: 8-3/16″, Width: 3-1/8″, Height: 2-3/8″.

Another in a long line of excellent turned metal (brass) and resin items from Master Model. IPMS USA sincerely appreciates Master’s support of our reviewer corps!

Up front, Master provides turned-metal pitot probes and a resin vane set for the ultimate Su-25. As usual, Piotr provides a highly-detailed, more scale pitot replacement for the kit item. Metal and resin combined make for an unbeatable combination!

In side by side comparison, you can see the difference in the Master pitots and vanes verses the Kit provided plastic versions. The Master pitot is far more scale in appearance, and since it’s extremely thin, it pays to be careful with this set. Bend it and cry…. But at least it won’t break off!

AOA Decals has filled another void in the decal world by producing a set for VF-143 Pukin’, and covers one specific airframe, BuNo 155887, call sign “Taproom”. The decals cover three cruises:

• USS 1969-70
• USS 1971-72
• USS 1972-73

One note directly from their web site caught my attention. For the 1972-73 cruise, this aircraft also bore the name of VF-143's XO, CDR Harley Hall, who sadly become the last Navy combat loss on 27 January 1973 flying Taproom 113 and last American to be listed as POW. While his RIO was later released, there is still controversy and contradictions surrounding the ultimate fate of CDR Hall. CDR Hall was previously Blue Angels Officer-In-Charge/Flight Leader (Plane 1), he and his Blue Angel team were featured in the 1975 documentary Threshold – “The Blue Angel Experience.” One of the first things you note about all AOA decals is the depth of the research and passion which they devote to it.