SF3D, now called Maschinen Krieger, was conceptualized in Japan by Kow Yokoyama in 1984. Yokoyama created a graphically realistic setting in his writing, art and the scratch-built plastic model kits he made of the aftermath of World War IV. Yokoyama drew upon his love of WWII aircraft and armor and American sci-fi to create this celebrated cult favorite. Among his most interesting designs are his Powered Armor Suits, of which this limited edition kit features the most advance suit made for the Strahl Defense Force.

Major Alexander de Seversky, a Russian ace with 13 kills during WWI, defected to the U.S. in 1918, founding the Seversky Aviation Corp. in 1931 on Long Island, NY. Alexander Kartveli emigrated in 1928, joining Seversky as his Chief Engineer. The Seversky/Kartveli team would become the Republic Aviation Corp. which would gain fame with the P-47 Thunderbolt whose lineage was directly traced back to the P-35 as both a combat pursuit fighter and a racer, setting speed records and participating in the Bendix and Thompson Trophy races. If your model collection strives to include landmark or significant historical aircraft, then I would state that it is incomplete without a P-35. Without the powerful P-35 impressing the military and sustaining the Seversky Aviation Corp. through the turbulent 1930s, there never would have been the P-43, P-47, and subsequent series of jets that served lengthy careers destroying our enemies and saving our pilots’ lives.

This kit of the F-94C Starfire is a new release by a new company, Kitty Hawk. If this is any indication of future releases, I can’t wait.

I just love the whole line of early Lockheed fighters beginning with the P-80 and the T-33. This is the last of their subsonic fighters and the first one to be radar-equipped. The F-94 is actually an interceptor. It was armed with missiles that fired from four doors on the front of the nose. This was not too successful, as the firing of the missiles often caused an engine flameout. The “C” model added two rocket pods to the wings, and they were back in the interceptor business.

Now, on to the kit. To begin with, the F-94 is a big plane. All of the kit parts are nicely molded. The cockpit is especially well detailed with some perfectly fitting photo etched side consoles. The one failing in the cockpit is the seats. They are pretty basic. I replaced them with True Detail seats from Squadron.