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Review Author
Tim Hortman
Published on
December 14, 2011
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.50

Another nice-looking resin detail set in the fine line of Quickboost products. This time we’ll be looking at the resin landing gear covers detail set for the 1/48 Hasegawa J2M3 Raiden “Jack” Interceptor/Fighter.

The Japanese WWII Raiden Interceptor/Fighter was designed to combat the high-flying B-29s over the Japanese Home Islands. It had the fastest climb rate of any Japanese aircraft of the war. The allied code-named the aircraft “Jack” and it saw combat starting in 1944.

This detail set is designed to fit exactly with any boxing of the 1/48 Hasegawa J2M3 kit. The resin parts are made in a way where they simply fit into place with no surgery required. All one needs to do is carefully remove the parts from the resin ‘plug’ they come on.

Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
December 14, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$19.95

The Brassin boys have been busy burning the midnight oil, producing several items to compliment the new Eduard MiG-21. Our example, an early model seat, came packaged in the familiar clear blister pack containing one pre-painted photo-etch fret, twelve finely cast resin parts, and a well-illustrated instruction sheet. As a bonus, you’ll find the Eduard’s now infamous pilot’s helmet included.

Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
December 14, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$32.95

Packaged in the now classic standard clear poly 4 ¼” X 5 ½” envelope you will find a nicely printed photo-etch fret along with a piece of card stock, one small piece of acetate film, and a well illustrated instruction sheet. The printing is well rendered and very colorful. The sharp details are incredible even under a magnifying glass. However, my fret was not S.A. (self-adhesive). Not needed, but it is double-printed on the applicable parts.

The Bottom Line

A picture is worth a thousand words, as you can see. The Eduard kit is awesome and the Eduard photo-etch makes it better. The parts are drop-in replacements, plus there are parts for a seat upgrade. The Eduard guys have been busy and their work is a testament to their talented effort. I highly recommend this set to anyone who can safely use a sharp knife and wants a serious ‘SMT’ MiG.

Thank you Eduard and thank you IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this item.

Book Author(s)
James D’Angina
Review Author
Tim Hortman
Published on
December 14, 2011
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$17.95

A recent addition to the growing Osprey Publishing line is this outstanding title: “LAV-25 The Marine Corps’ Light Armored Vehicle.”

This book is #185 in the New Vanguard series and is certainly one to add to your collection. This softbound book contains 48 pages which are packed with color photos and some illustrations which tell the history of the LAV-25. Chapters in this book include a brief history on the design and development of the LAV-25 and a section on every combat operation where the LAV-25 saw action.

For the modeler, this book is especially valuable for the color photos contained within. There is a good mix of exterior photographs showing different colors and markings, but if you’re looking for a full spread of interior shots – you will be disappointed. There are several images inside the vehicle, but by far the majority of images are of the exterior.

Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
December 14, 2011
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

Quickboost has now added a Spitfire seat to their ever-growing line of ‘drop-fit’ resin accessories. This one comes with a harness molded in, and should be applicable to any but the very early and very late models of the Spitfire.

As with all their products (at least, all that I have seen), the molding is extremely crisp and leaves little to be cleaned up. The belt detail looks very good, and has clear distinction that should make painting this fairly easy. The seat has a nicely-molded adjustment lever on the right side that also has very nice details. There are no flare cartridge holders present at the front of the seat – something that some Spitfire seats did have. The cushion on the backrest portion of the seat does have a nice (to me) textured look. I didn’t get the micrometer out, but it looks correct proportionally to photos in my references and on the web.