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Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$5.50

Master Model has entered the turned metal barrel scene with a flurry of excellent pitot tubes and gun barrels. Well, this latest release is no different.

As any of you who have built the F-4 Phantom know, you know that the pitot tubes on the nose and the tail ram air inlet are prone to breakage, particularly when you are handling the model. Well, now you don’t have to worry about that.

In the package you get three perfectly formed turned metal parts that include the pitot tube, ram air inlet, and angle of attack probe. These are all accurately shaped in brass with nothing to remove other than the kit parts, and then drill mounting holes. Adding the parts is done with super glue. The additional strength that the brass components as well as the to-scale appearance are exactly what I look for in my brass parts.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Master Model and IPMS/USA for the review copy and review opportunity.

Book Author(s)
Dick Camp
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Zenith Press
MSRP
$30.00

Zenith Press has published and excellent read with Boots on the Ground. The book covers the build-up and start of the war in Afghanistan during 2001-2002. The book starts with coverage of the Soviet involvement prior to their invasion, including their poisoning of the Afghani President and his subsequent execution, as well as coverage of the Soviet invasion and their loss of 15,000 troops and thousands of vehicles. There are great explanations of the Mujahedeen philosophy of "Death by a Thousand Cuts" where, in one year, the Mujahedeen conducted 5,236 attacks on the Soviets, one small attack at a time. There are great descriptions and pictures of the weapons used, from Stinger missiles to the Hind helicopter. This background history continues up through 9/11 and the decisions to get into Afghanistan.

Review Author
Clarence Wentzel
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$9.00

The Su-33 Flanker D is an all-weather carrier-based air defense fighter based on the Su-27. The airplane had a production run of 24 units. Hasegawa has produced a kit of this interesting aircraft for modelers. As usual, Quickboost has added several items to improve the accuracy of the basic Su-33 Flanker D kit.

This set consists of new horizontal stabilizers. The attached photo shows the Quickboost part compared to an Su-27 from my collection. The stabilizers are the correct shape for the model and are interchangeable with the kit parts. The level of surface detail of the resin parts is excellent. They are molded in a brownish-grey colored resin. They are smooth, seamless, and bubble-free.

I highly recommend this product if you want a really superior-looking model. Since these parts are interchangeable with the kit parts, they can be recommended for all levels of modelers.

Review Author
Rick Bellanger
Published on
Company
Two Mikes Resin Accessories
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$37.50

I have built several Tamiya 1/32nd scale F-15's and thought the kit engine exhausts were quite adequate. Little did I know that they could be vastly improved by using these detail parts provided by Two Mikes. The resin exhaust nozzles are direct replacement pieces for the kit parts which are "Overly Long," as stated in the instruction sheet. They can be used on the F-15A/B/C/D/J and DJ version. You will still use some of the original plastic engine details but the major parts are included in this kit.

The instruction sheet is easy to read and understand. The details in the photos provide all the information you may require except painting instructions.

Review Author
Rick Bellanger
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$7.00

I have built several 1/32nd scale Phantoms, both Revell and the Tamiya versions, and have found the weakest and most fragile of all the parts are the pitot tubes and the tail probes (AOA). Thankfully, Master Model has come along with a very nice set of finely cast and turned items to replace these items.

In the short nose version set, you get three replacement detail parts to fit the F-4B, C, D, J, N, S, and all British versions of the Phantom. You get a pitot tube and RAM air inlet for the tail and an angle of attack (AOA) probe for the port side of the front fuselage. All appear to be turned brass of the highest quality.