Review

The 325^th Fighter Group, also known as the “Checker Tail Clan” is one of the most well known units of the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. They flew P-40s, P-47s and P-51, making them a very interesting unit for modelers. They flew over North Africa, France, Italy, Eastern Europe and even the former Soviet Unit. Their distinctive tail markings helped aerial recognition and likely worried their counterparts when encountered in combat.

The book has the following chapters

This F4U-4 Corsair wheel bay update set is packaged in the typical Aires fashion, coming in a sturdy plastic package with foam backing, and instructions tucked in between the cardboard back and plastic. My first impression was of how crisp the detail is on the wheel bays, as well as the gear doors. Mold release agent is non-existent; however, I still recommend washing the resin before use.

Compared to the Hobby Boss kit parts, which are decent, the Aires wheel bays are very sharp and have more details, such as more pronounced ribs and wiring. The landing gear door’s interior and exterior surfaces show very few differences between the Hobby Boss kit parts and the Aires replacements, with the exception of the superior detail on the interior surface of Aires’ small forward landing gear doors.

Master Model from Poland makes turned metal parts for ships and aircraft. They can be used for replacements or, more importantly, improvements. The set reviewed here is for Trumpeter’s 1/48 RA-5C Vigilante kit. The set consists of two turned brass parts to replace the AOA sensor and pitot tube. The parts come in the usual pouch, and have a nice set of instructions. You will have to drill a small hole for the AOA sensor.

There is a great picture of the pitot here.