MiniArt has been prodigious in producing accessories for armor dioramas. Though I am primarily a ship and aircraft modeler, I couldn’t help but notice the endless stream of new releases in vehicles, buildings, and figures. So when this kit came up for review, I decided to take the plunge and try a new genre. I used to be a model RR enthusiast, so this was not my first building kit, but it certainly was the biggest in scale and size. What I did not realize until I received the kit is that it is one large vacuum formed model project.

Items in the box: The model is made from cast resin, gray in color. The plans are one sheet.

Construction: The build is very basic – six pieces all told, two cans. four handles, assembled per sketch. (As the label says, EASY line.)

Finish: I used gray spray auto primer for the cans and ModelMaster brown for the top of one can.

Conclusion: The parts went together well. The kit build can be done by any model builder with minimum experience. Care must be taken, as the handles are tiny.

I would like to thank IPMS/USA and Plusmodels for allowing me to build and review this kit.

• Platz T-33A JASDF Trainer, stock no. AC-6, $29.00
• Platz T-33A US Bicentennial Trainer, stock no. AC-8, $29.00
• Eduard T-33 cockpit set, SA, color, stock no. 73409, $29.95

This is going to be a strange review in that I am reviewing two of the same kit but with different markings. In addition, I will be reviewing the Eduard photo-etch cockpit detail set.

Let me begin with the T-33A. This is one terrific kit. I have built a few T-33s by different manufacturers, but this is the best, in my humble opinion. When I refer to any parts in the kit, I am addressing both kits.

The instructions are in both English and Japanese. They are well thought out and very clear. Colors are referred to by their FS numbers. There are 58 grey plastic parts and one clear.