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Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

Quickboost continues its aftermarket parts for the 1/48 Kinetic S-2F Tracker family with a part labeled as the Tracker’s radar. First and foremost, this isn't part of the radar. It is really the MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector) boom which extends from the back of the plane as it looks for submarines. A good picture of the boom extended is: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:S-3A_VS-32_1982.JPEG#/media/Fil….

In looking through internet pics, it looks like the boom was always retracted while on the ground.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.00

Another addition to the Quickboost line for the Kinetic S-2F Tracker is a replacement set of engines. The set comes with four parts – two engines and two holders. They are cast in familiar gray resin and are perfectly molded.

The installation is simple. Assemble the nacelle as per kit instructions. Sand down the backing ring so it slides into the opening, paint it up and glue the engine in place, and then the cowling, and you're done.

One thing noticeable in the comparison pictures is that the Quickboost engines are missing the rods connecting the valve covers and engines. They are easily made, and if you add ignition wires you have a superb upgrade.

In summary, this is a more detailed simple upgrade which is cast perfectly and fits very well and is very visible on the finished kit. A couple simple push rods and you're there. These are definitely recommended. My thanks to Quickboost and IPMS/USA for the chance to review them.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
Plusmodel
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.50

Plusmodel was established in 1990 in the Czech Republic. Their product range is primarily made up of 1/35th scale resin kits, conversion sets, and accessories which are vacuum cast from polyurethane resin. Their products may be purchased on line through https://www.modelchoice.net .

A new addition to their line is a set of replacement cowlings for the Academy 1/72 PV-1 Ventura kit. The resin cowlings are a two-piece, cut and glue in-place replacement of the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include a two-piece main cowling and engine nacelle, and tiny intake covers for each.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$12.00

Adding to the Quickboost line of 1/32nd scale ejection seats is this latest offering for the Trumpeter F-8 Crusader. The seat, cast in their normal gray resin, comes in two pieces. The main body and the pull ring are both perfectly cast, and the pull ring has a resin protector cast in front of it. To assemble, cut the bottom plug off the seat, trim the pull ring and attach it, and paint it up. As with all Quickboost seats, the belts are molded in and have a nice draping effect to them. I included several shots of the seat plus a shot of the kit seat and the Aires seat. The kit seat is styrene and does have a set of PE belts, and for a kit seat is pretty nice. The Aires seat is, not surprisingly, very similar to Quickboost's, but the belts are multiple PE parts, as well as some seat detail. In looking at the seats, either the Aires or Quickboost are much better defined and accurate.

Review Author
Sean Glaspell
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.95

Background

The recent new mold release by Airfix of the North American P-51D Mustang is a great addition of this iconic aircraft to the modeling community. It is a fine model that that is equal in detail and features to any Pacific Rim company equivalent. With that said, the level of detail is matched with the frailty of some of the parts, namely the landing gear, which poses the difficult situation of thick sprue gates with delicate kits parts for the modeler.

The Product

To the rescue comes mighty Scale Aircraft Conversions! This release from SAC features white metal landing gear for the P-51D Mustang from the Airfix new mold kits. Please note that this landing gear will work on the entire series of new mold Mustangs, both the P-51D/K and Mustang Mk.VI kits.