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Introduction: The primary organization of the IPMS/USA Review website is by IPMS/USA National Contest Class. Within each Class there are sub-menus by kits, decals, books, etc. The Miscellaneous Class is for items that are not class specific or that cross two or more classes.

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Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.50

Eduard continues its F-104 accessories with this set which is a set of early wheels. The set consists of five parts, two main wheels with separate hubs for one side. There is also one front wheel. A masking set is also included. All the parts are perfectly cast and bubble free. Preparation involves removing the pour stubs and a light sanding. The separate hub makes painting easier.

The detail on the wheels is head and shoulders above the kit parts. There are no ejection marks to deal with and the hub detail is greatly improved. The wheels have the needed writing on them versus the smooth surface on the kit parts.

These are definite upgrades to the kit parts. Well made and more detailed. Recommended. My thanks to Eduard and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this set.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$17.00

Hasegawa's 1/48 F-104 is a very nice kit and build into a fine replica of a very pretty plane. Eduard has started to release aftermarket sets for the plane to upgrade the exhausts and the wheels. This set deals with the early F-104 version using the GE J79 engine. The set consists of five perfectly cast resin pieces with two photoetch pieces. The photoetch pieces are for flame holders. To prepare the set, you need to remove the casting blocks from the exhaust tube and exhaust petals along with two braces to support the installation of the engine in the fuselage. When you are cutting the exhaust petals loose, be slow and careful as it is fragile due to its thinness and detail

Assembly is simple. Add the flame holder inside the exhaust tube. Add the second flame holder to the top of the engine back. You then glue the supports in and then assemble the three pieces. The supports hold the exhaust snugly and the you need to make sure that the exhausts protrudes appropriately.

Review Author
Bryan Krueger
Published on
Company
Bronco Models
MSRP
$63.99

The KV-85 was an interim tank solution to field a heavier gun than the 76mm mounted on the existing KV-1 series. By 1943 the 76mm gun was no longer effective at long range against Germany’s newest tanks like the Tiger 1 and Panther. The solution was to mount the 85mm D-5T in a new larger cast turret. Only 148 were made until production of the new IS series was brought up to capacity.

Bronco’s kit comes in a larger-than-normal sturdy cardboard box packed with sprues, an eighteen page instruction booklet, a small sheet of brass PE, braided copper wire, and a generous decal sheet. The instructions are well laid out line drawings which are not too cluttered given how many small parts there are in the kit. The PE mostly covers the air intakes and exhaust screens. There is an option for solid plastic intake screens but the exhaust screen is only offered as brass.

Book Author(s)
Edited by Gary Hatcher
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Modelling
MSRP
$6.85

New editor Gary Hatcher takes over the reins of Scale Aircraft Modeling and make some changes immediately in the format of the magazine. One thing you'll notice right away is the change to much more history interspersed with the modeling. Another interesting note is that many of the articles no longer have white backgrounds going to grey or blue gray in several articles. This is a first issue with these changes. The old structure and build types are gone and this concentrates more on feature articles.

For this issue, the first feature article by Tony O'Toole is refurbishment of a converted Airfix Stirling C.Mk.V. The article takes you through stripping the paint off, updating the engines with resin ones. He finishes it off with a nice paint scheme and subtle weathering.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Tarangus
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$85.00

Saab has been a Swedish company for a very long time. The Lansen was one of their earlier developments in the jet age, its first test flight occurring in 1952. The A32A version was specifically designed for ground-attack and maritime-strikes. 287 aircraft were built between 1955 and 1957, and the airframe was not retired until 1978.

Tarangus is a Swedish company specializing in Swedish aviation. Founded in 2009, they have already started a tradition of excellent kits and attractive subjects. The kits are limited run injection molding and are flash-free with excellent engraved panel lines. There are two versions of the Lansen kit available. This review is for the A32A version. The kit comes with 3 gray sprue, a clear sprue, and two resin seats. The panel lines are very well done. Be aware that this is limited run, so there are no connecting pegs or the like. It is a great limited run kit to start on if you have never built one before, as the fit is quite good.