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Thank you to Unique Master Models (UMM) for generously providing an excellent tool set for “field testing.” Thank you as well to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for letting me be an evaluator.
The Vietnam War was a helicopter war. Many of the most lasting images are of fleets of helicopters, mostly the ubiquitous UH-1 “Huey,” filling the sky. What would newsreel footage of that war be without a sound track of the “whup-whup-whup” of chopper blades?
Among the many uses the UH-1 was put to was as an early version of the gunship, the ancestor of today’s Apache. Those Huey guns took a crew of four: a commissioned or warrant officer pilot (left seat) and copilot, and two enlisted door gunner/crew chief in back. This four figure kit represents the aviators of those gunships employed in that conflict.
This kit contains 2 sheets of photo Etched parts one small one of pre-colored parts and one large sheet of other parts.
The detail quality of a very high as we have come to expect from Eduard.
This set can be used with either of the Tamiya kits 35330 M561 US 6x6 Cargo truck or 35342 M972 US 6x6 Ambulance Truck.
The set provides photo etch to replace the following parts:
Wipers, windscreen surround, gas tank straps, gas tank filler shields, driver instrument panel, cargo bay floor, plus other small details.
It also provides the addition details for the foot pedals, floor vents, drivers compartment placards, ammo boxes, cargo bay folding foot step, etc.
The parts are very easy to install and add a lot more detail to the already detailed kit. The only problem I encountered was that the access on the cargo floor needed to be removed so the new one can be installed and this was not shown on the instructions.
This review covers the 1957 Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon 1:25 Scale Model Kit #85-4193. A 2015 release, this model is a collection of past offerings with refreshed trees and some brand new tooling. It is a skill level 3 kit for the 12-year and older builder, molded in 156 pieces of white, clear, transparent red and chrome pieces with waterslide decals and instructions. As you can tell from the piece count it comes with quite a few options. Two complete versions can be built; either the police wagon or a stock version. Both use a highly detailed rendition of the 312 c.i.d. Thunderbird V-8. This kit includes a separate frame for enhanced detailing along with custom wheels and disc brakes. The completed dimensions are Length: 8”, Width: 3”, Height: 2-3/8”
I elected to build the police version of this wagon for its “cool” factor and because the kit pieces were so nicely done in a period accurate manner.
This set replaces parts D1-5, D1-7, E37, part of C9 and Part of C10 from Kitty Hawk Kit number KH80115. The detail quality is as to the normal high standard of the all Aires products. As usual there was no flash or other imperfections. The parts once removed from the mold base are ready to install. The parts will make a great improvement on the kit parts which has very little detail in these areas of the kit. A great price for such fine additional details for this kit.
Thanks to Aires for providing these for review.
