Kit Parts

British Vickers Machine Gun

Figure 3

USS Maryland 1941

Cockpit right sidewall

TBM-3 Avenger from USS Bunker Hill

Weapons Bays

F-35A Lightning II

Stern

U.S.S. Florida SSGN-728

11

McLaren MP4/2C

Image 5

S.W.A.T Team Figures

Detail showing raised panel lines

A-7A Corsair II

The engine and cockpit installed in the right fuselage half

Kawasaki Ki-61-Id Hien (Tony)

Left front top

M-109A2 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (DOHER)

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Product Picture

Me 262A-1a/U1
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Hobby Boss
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$31.99

HobbyBoss has released a hypothetical production variant of the Me-262: the A-1/U1 version. Is this a Luft’ 46 model? Some might say yes, but the truth is that both the enhanced nose weaponry (MG 151 and Mk 103) and the X-4 missiles were all manufactured before the end of WWII. I would say this is a Luftwaffe ’45 “2nd-Half”.

The kit comes in 12 grey sprues, 2 clear sprues for the canopy and a metal nose wheel well to prevent having a ‘tail sitter’. The sprues are cleanly molded, free of flash and with well-defined recessed panel lines.

The model has a full interior consisting of a nose gun bay, fully detailed cockpit and main landing gear bay plus a nicely detailed back fuselage (with a radio set and a compass set). However the detail in the back fuselage is pretty much impossible to see once the model is finished. There is only one service panel and it is not large enough as to allow viewing of all that detail.

Kit contents

Mk. 84 Bombs with Retarded Fins
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.95

The Mk. 84 general purpose bomb is a 2000 Lb. weapon which can be configured with different fins and fuses depending on its mission at the time. In this iteration, Eduard has provided a Mk. 84 with retarded fins, I believe based on the BSU-50/B parts to allow lower release and the plane to escape the blast radius.

Eduard’s set comes with two main bomb bodies, three styles of fuses, a photoetch fret with two pieces, decals, and instructions. Construction is simple- take your time and cut the main body away from the pour stub being careful of the rear fins. Sand smooth and add the photoetch to the rear. After that, all that is needed is to select the fuse type. The fuse can actually be added after the painting.

Color is simple with olive drab being the main choice. The decals are well done and settle very well. A little wash to accentuate the well molded details followed by a flat coat and done.

Package Contents

GBU-10 Paveway II
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.95

The GBU-10 Paveway II laser guided bomb is a modified version of the Mk. 84 general purpose bomb with added fins and guidance system. Eduard has produced a set of two GBU-10’s in 1/48th scale. Each set has two bomb bodies, separate front fins for 8 parts and two sets of seeker heads for the front; one ready for use and one with a cast in cover. Casting is perfect and in standard Eduard dark gray resin. Also included are the instructions and a decal sheet with all the markings.

Package

Dornier Do 17Z Air Intakes
Review Author
Keith Pruitt
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.49

Quickboost is well-known for producing high quality, “drop in” resin replacement parts for many model kits from a variety of manufacturers. Many of the current Airfix kits are produced from new molds, and are exceptionally well molded and nicely detailed on their own. However, with the limitations inherent in the injection molding process, some parts can be improved with resin parts, which can be molded with a greater level of detail and accuracy.

Product picture

Su-35S Landing Gear
Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.95

As with most of SAC’s landing gear sets, this set provides drop in replacement parts for the three main gear struts for Hasegawa’s new Su-35S kit. The set consists of a nose gear strut and two main landing gear struts. The three castings are very sharp and crisp. I used a brass wire wheel in my battery operated Dremel tool and slow speed to polish up the struts and remove the casting seams. I then primed the struts with Tamiya grey primer and painted them with a Tamiya light grey, with the oleo sections picked out with chrome silver. I had hoped to show them off installed on the Hasegawa kit, but the kit I ordered is apparently either on the slowest boat or is taking the long way around the world to get to me, as it is still in transit from somewhere.

The set paints up really well and will add a nice touch of detail (and weight) to your Su-35.

Recommended. Thank you to Scale Aircraft Conversions and IPMS/USA for the review sample.