Another in a series of Hasegawa kits replicating office and school furniture, this Science Room Desk and Chairs kit requires a little more time and effort to construction than the previously reviewed Conference Table and Chairs (62002) or School Desk and Chair (62001) kits. The science table and four chairs that are found in the kit took about 30 minutes to build.

The table surface is black, while the table, itself, is white. The stools are a tan color. Hasegawa advertises that this kit does not require glue, and I found that to be true, for the most part. I did fudge a bit and reinforced the “snap” fit of the table parts with a little glue. I also glued the water handles onto the faucet fitting.

Assembly is easy enough for a novice or young person to handle by themselves, so if Junior is looking for a diorama setting for a science experiment, this is it!

Thanks to Hobbico and Hasegawa for providing this review sample to IPMS/USA.

Renault FT-17 TSF Background

This Hauler conversion kit for MENG's 1/35 scale French FT-17 Light Tank (Cast Turret) kit, #TS-008, modifies it into a Renault FT-17 TSF Command Radio version.

The Renault Char signal, or TSF (télégraphie sans fil - wireless, in English), is a command tank with a radio. The FT-17 turret was replaced by a box-like superstructure, giving room for a crew of three: driver, radio operator and observer. The vehicle was equipped with a code-only wireless radio, and featured a wire antenna hung between a mast mounted on the superstructure and the vehicle’s tail. They were unarmed, used for coordinating assaults, and keeping contact with high command while deep behind enemy lines. During WWI, 188 TSFs were produced.

Hauler-Brengun, a Czechoslovakian newcomer, provides modelers with kits, photoetch parts, and accessories. The vacuum-formed canopy that I received for this review is a nice two-piece replacement for the single-piece canopy included with the Dragon F/A-18F kits. Before diving into the review, I should state that I would recommend vacuum formed parts for experienced modelers. Removing the part from the plastic sheet is a delicate process, but the results are worth the effort.

The F/A-18F is the two-seat variant of the Super Hornet that, along with the single-seat F/A-18E, replaced the capable F-14 Tomcats aboard the US Navy’s aircraft carriers. The more petite, slower, shorter-range and smaller-payload-carrying Super Hornet is at least a less expensive aircraft for the Navy to operate. Okay, so I really am a Tomcat fan at heart.