Revell’s 1/72nd F-89D/J came out in the early 90’s and is a great kit. There are really only two shortfalls of the kit; the first being the lackluster cockpit and the second being the multi-part exhaust. Pavla has recently released resin detail parts for the cockpit and the exhaust.

The resin cockpit comes with twelve resin parts and two vac-formed parts. The vac-formed parts include the windscreen, canopy, and the rear blast screen. The blast screen is something that the Revell kit did not include. Overall, the resin parts are far superior to the kit parts. There was quite a bit of flash on the seats, which requires some careful trimming with a hobby knife. The cockpit set includes two rear instrument panels, one for the F-89D and one for the F-89J. The instructions call the F-89J instrument panel an “F-89C” instrument panel. Don’t let that fool you, as it is indeed an F-89J instrument panel.

Eduard’s series of Bf 110s have some great detail but if you want to drop the flaps this new set by Aires will make the task much easier. The Aires set supplies new flaps and radiator flaps which are a direct replacement for the kit parts.

You get six pieces of perfectly cast resin. The side bits of the radiator flaps are very thin and fragile so be careful removing them from the casting block. The instructions indicate which parts of the kit need to be removed for the replacement parts. The detail is very good with an extra part that adds to the inside of the wheel well.

This set works just as well for flaps that are deployed or in the up position.

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review kit.

Master Box has ventured into the post-apocalyptic world with Zombie Hunter – Road to Freedom. Dick M. was glad to get rid of this kit as it frightened the rest of the kits in his stash. Scared the bejeebers out of my mail lady when she dropped it off and the zombies came hissing and scratching out of the box. The kit is described as part of the Zombieland Series, so there may be more undead where these came from.