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Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
Aviaeology
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.89

The Squadron

The Mosquito was flown by 100 RAF, four RAAF, two USAAF and one RCAF squadrons, plus 45 other units. The RCAF unit was the 418 "City of Edmonton" Squadron

This squadron was formed at Debden on 15 November 1941 in the night intruder role, equipped with Bostons. However, work up was slow and it was early spring 1942 before the squadron was fully operational, flying its first mission on March 26th.

As well as flying the standard Boston, it also used examples armed with a solid nose mounting 20mm cannons which proved to be quite effective in the night fighter role. In May 1943, the squadron converted to Mosquito VIs and, on 15 September, 1943, performed in the escort fighter role to a force of Lancasters from No 617 Squadron attacking the Dortmund-Elms Canal.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
MSRP
$73.95

Designed for the Trumpeter/Hobbycraft 1/32 F-105G is Aires’ new cockpit set, which is comprised of 33 gray resin, one clear resin and almost 100 photoetch parts. Casting is flawless, which is normal for Aires. The photoetch has nice relief.

I sanded the cockpit and sidewalls down and test fit them in the Trumpeter kit. The fit is good and not much thinning will be needed. You will need to sand the pour area off of the bottom of the cockpit. The test fit did show that the back of the cockpit interferes with the bomb bay in the kit. This was easily remedied by cutting the back bottom portion off of the kit at an angle and the fit tightened right up. The sidewalls required a slight trimming but fit tight and looked great.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
Afterburner Decals
MSRP
$15.00

In a single word, “Wow”! This set of decals is recommended for the Hasegawa F-15C/D in 1/48th scale and can be used on the Academy kits as well. Afterburner also points out that the package includes markings that can be used on the Tamiya 32nd scale F-15.

The product package includes three sheets of decals, one sheet being rather small and including three decals of the 57th Fighter Wing logo. The remaining sheets contain markings, stenciling, and other markings that one may choose from.

Markings are provided for the very unique Digital Splinter Scheme, the Blue Flanker Scheme and the Desert Flanker Scheme. Additionally, included within the Desert Flanker Scheme, there are markings for aircraft flown in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2012. Blue Flanker markings include aircraft flown in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2012.

Decals, in order to be of “high quality,” must possess certain characteristics.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$30.00

If you are as old as I, you remember the original Battlestar Gallactica series with Lorne Green and Dirk Benedict. Well, when the Sci-Fi Channel reimagined the Battlestar Gallactica series, there were some changes that upset some potential fans, myself included. One was that Starbuck, Benedict’s character, was now a woman and that was just the beginning. I didn’t watch the series when it first came out and now I regret it. I’ve since bought the series on DVD and have taken a liking to it. If you can just forget the old series, and it is easy to do, then you will absolutely love the new series.

Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
Company
Fisher Model and Pattern
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$279.00

Big Cutlass… Part Deux

Well, shiver my swashes and buckle my timbers…at last. The finishing touches have been applied to this magnificent beastie! The stance of the aircraft can be referred to as a cross between a praying mantis and a Great Dane passing a peachpit. In any case, this has to be one of the most unique carrier aircraft ever produced. Although not the most popular among pilots, I recall reading a pilot report in Tail Hook magazine where comments ranged from concern over a hard landing which would drive the nose gear up through the cockpit floor “doing horrible things to the pilot” to attempts to keep the fuel load in trim being much akin to “sitting on a basketball.” Oh, well, I digress, so on to the build.