Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
January 19, 2024
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$19.99

The Item

If you want to bring your 1:48 scale Curtiss SNC-1 Falcon II Aircraft model kit to the next level, this excellent white metal cast detail set is just the thing for you. This 14-piece complete gear set with struts not only provides sturdy, fully detailed parts replacements, but they are specifically designed to fit the attachment points of the Dora Wings model.

Remove the parts from the casting stubs so as to avoid bending them. As with other SAC sets, there are minimal casting seams on the parts that will need to be removed. Simple scraping, filing, or sanding makes for easy clean-up. After removal from the casting stubs, the parts can be carefully polished with a rotary tool brush, then primed and painted. Because of their malleable nature the parts can be gently bent for a proper profile and perfect fit

All-in-all this set will definitely enhance the appearance of your Dora Wings Curtiss SNC-1 Falcon II Trainer.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
January 16, 2024
Company
Atlantis Model Company
Scale
1:24
MSRP
$29.99

I was simply elated when Atlantis Models not only rescued the tooling for the Sidewinder Custom Show Rod from the boneyard, but released it with special burnt copper brightwork and a spectacular new set of decals, designed by Tom’s son Kelly Daniel. It’s kit number M2210 and has around 40 pieces in 1/24 scale kit.

Fig 1) I’ve always loved Tom Daniel kits and this one hasn’t been seen since the 90’s. It’s nearly a clone of Tom’s “Rattler” model kit released in 1975 with some notable improvements. This kit would look great right out of the box and could be built in an evening.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
January 14, 2024
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$26.00

A new tooled kit from Tamiya. It is the British 2-Ton 4X2 Ambulance (Austin K2/Y). A very nice detailed kit, simple to build, and will make a wonderful addition to any 1/48th scale WWII military collection or diorama.

In the Box

This kit has two (2) olive drab colored sprues labeled A & B with 57 parts. Plus, a clear sprue with 4 parts. A driver figure is included within one of the olive drab sprues. The molded detail is exceptional for this scale.

Instructions are 13 steps and printed on a foldout sheet with typical good illustrations from Tamiya.

This is considered a “curbside” build since there is no motor or any interior detail inside the cab. Doors for the cab are molded shut.

Construction

When reading the instructions, especially for the colors, everything is to be painted Olive Green, XF-58, unless otherwise noted.

Book Author(s)
Richard A. Franks
Illustrators: Richard J. Caruana, Juraj Jankovic, and Jerry Boucher
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
January 13, 2024
Company
Valiant Wings Publishing
MSRP
$53.00

Valiant Wings Publishing was founded in 2010 under the guidance of Richard A. Franks and Mark Peacock. Valiant Wings has released several series of primarily airplane monographs [Airframe & Miniature, Airframe Album and Airframe Detail series] with the first Airframe Album dedicated to the Heinkel He 219 ‘Uhu’ released in 2012.

Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
January 13, 2024
Company
AFV Club
Scale
1:35
MSRP
$52.99

Although I was pleased with the kit by the very end of the build, I was not very happy with the kit itself. When I received the shrink-wrapped review sample, I discovered that two sprues were missing. This is actually the second AFV Club kit I’ve come across with missing parts.

Because these parts were critical to the build, I first looked for a way to get replacements from the manufacturer. Nope. The instructions has a parts list (in this case on page 18) and a replacement order form. This is great and all, but where should it be mailed? There is no address. There is no website URL anywhere on the box or in the instructions and there no customer service number. I was stuck. I turned to eBay and was very fortunate to find a seller who had exactly what I needed. It would seem there may be some manufacturer quality control issues.