The LaCrosse missile was one of the first tactical missiles designed and operated by the U.S. Army during the early years of the cold war. Put into production in 1959, the missile was capable of carrying a variety of warheads, including nuclear, and was fired from the back of a modified cargo truck. Apparently there were numerous problems with maintenance and the system was dropped from the inventory by 1964. Looking back over fifty years, it gives me pause to reflect how casually we regarded the possibility of nuclear conflict back then. That Armageddon could be initiated by a couple of guys in a truck seems lunacy now, but that was the world in those days.

This is a very nice photoetch set for the Kinetic Su-33 Kit. This set adds a lot of extra detail to the interior of the kit, plus additional exterior parts as a bonus.

The photoetch parts are for the:

• Cockpit side panels
• Instrument panel, pedal and various control details
• Seat belts, seat arms and placards
• Canopy guides and mirrors
• Access panels
• HUD parts
• Static discharge strips

In the packet is:

• 1 Photoetch sheet
• 1 Colored photoetch sheet
• 1 Clear plastic printer sheet
• 1 Instruction sheet

Summary

This is a great Photo etch set. It is a must for the Su-33 Kit as it makes it into even greater model with all additional interior and exterior details for this aircraft. The cockpit and seat parts are extremely detailed.

Thank you to Master Model and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for the privilege of reviewing this excellent replacement part set offered by Master Model in the Sea Master Series for 350-scale ship models. The replacement masts will add a crisp eye-catching detail in a highly visible part of any modern ship model. Master Model is continuing an excellent line of replacement brass parts for ship models.

The zipper closure package has 4 smoothly tapered, turned brass masts in a variety of sizes. A small spec sheet is included. The masts taper evenly and symmetrically from the base upward to the tip. Each mast is 100 mm long, with mast base/tip diameters of 2.2/0.7 mm, 2.5/0.8 mm, 2.8/0.9 mm, and 3.0/1.0 mm. This size range is effective for larger-size modern ships. The brass has a nice smooth sheen, with no sign of cutting oils. A major bonus of these masts is the rigid character of the brass. Temperature changes and subsequent rigging tension are much less likely to bend the masts.

The option to open up the gondolas frequently found under the wings of the Bf-109G is something that is up to the individual. It does add a visual interest and looks great in diorama.

In this set from Eduard, the parts are packaged in the typical plastic packaging with foam inserts, which protects the parts during shipping, you get 12 resin parts which are perfectly cast in light grey resin and a fret of photo etch.

History

The 17 Pounder was the largest of three anti-tank guns used by the British Army in the Second World War. Design work on the 17 Pounder began in April 1941 with the aim of replacing existing anti-tank guns. First deliveries of the new gun were made to Royal Artillery units in August 1942 and this type first saw action at the Battle of Medenine, North Africa, on 6 March 1943. The 17 Pounder was widely used in Italy and northern Europe and continued into post-war service for many years. Its use extended to being employed as a field gun, its high explosive shell proving a particularly useful charge in this role.

Construction

The kit is produced by Airfix, a well-known maker of scale model kits. The kit arrives in the usual red box with artwork of the gun crew firing the 17 pounder. There are some photos displayed on the side of the box showing close up detail of the gun and crew.