These two A6M decal sets from Lifelike continue the series of markings for the A6M Zero provided by earlier sets 48061 and 48062. Part 3 (48063) contains markings for 14 aircraft: 2 Type 11s; 7 Type 21s; 4 Type 52s and 1 A6M2-N Rufe. The specific aircraft include:
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I’m a big fan of the Bf 109, and have about 50 kits in my stash and a handful already built, and am always on the lookout for a useful resource, especially for color schemes and markings. This book consists of 16 pages and features detailed scale plans in both 1/72 and 1/48 scales. Those plans show panel line and rivet detail profiles for the F-4, F-2/B, F-4/B, F-4 /R/Trop, F-4/R-1, and the F-6/U-1 in 1/72 scale, and all but the F-6 in 1/48 scale. There is also a plan view of one each in1/72 and 1/48 scale. I’m a huge fan of good, clear rivet detail plans, as I build only 1/72 scale and add rivets to most of the models I build.
Manufactured in the Czech Republic Special Hobby produces a number of high-quality scale model kits. This one is in 1/48 scale of the Israeli SMB-2 Sa’ar (Storm in Hebrew) Super Mystere used by the IDF seeing action in the 1973 Yom Kippur conflict. Originally produced by Dussault, and upgraded to carry the Pratt and Whitney J 52 engine that also powered the A-4 Skyhawk. This extended the already worn-out airframes, increasing their performance and survivability in the process. They were retired from front line service in 1973.
When the Italian Italeri company brought their injection molded 1/32 scale Macchi MC.202 to the market, several other manufactures of accessories rushed to produce alternate parts for it, such as resin wheels or metal instrument panels. Yahu Models produced their 1/32 scale instrument panel for the Italeri Macchi MC.202 in 1/32 scale at the end of 2023 as an alternative to the kit’s instrument panel.
This product comes in a small clear plastic bag and contains three elements: a photo etched fret for the two smaller control panel raised panels, the main brass instrument panel and a clear sheet for one of the instrument faces. There is a simple color drawing on the cardboard insert showing how to assemble the provided elements.
First off, apologies to Fred Medel at Tamiya America for a long-delayed review. I’ve been busy building models for retired veterans and/or their family members and this one took a back seat.
That being said, wow, what a kit. Incredibly complex, but the fit is a modeler’s dream. As Dave Morrissette said when building its big brother in 1/48, many of the parts seem to “click” into place. In fact, the only serious fit problem I had probably resulted from too thick a layer of paint rather than any issues with the kit itself.