The Republic Rainbow has been a long-time favorite aircraft of mine. I grew up on Long Island, not far from Farmingdale where Republic is located, and my father worked there for twenty-five years. Even without that close association, I would still appreciate the sleek lines and tremendous performance of this machine. Mike Machat with his new hardcover book puts a spotlight on post-war aviation and on this interesting aircraft.

Background

Three modelers form the talents behind Afterburner Decals. Geoff Martin, Burtonsville, Maryland; Scott Brown, Houston, Texas; and Shawn Hull, Las Vegas, Nevada. They started this business though their love of US Military jet aircraft and the lack of decals for contemporary and past markings. In addition, Shawn Hull runs shull24.com resin accessories for modern jets.

One of their goals and founding principles is to listen to their customers and give them what they want. They do not consider themselves to be "experts", but rather are willing to rely on the people that they know to provide inspiration and guidance on appealing topics. The vast majority of references are provided from outside resources.

Quickboost now catalogs a set of detail parts for Tamiya’s 1/72 Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-3 kit that will make it easy for modelers to place the rudder in an off-center position. Set QB 72 311 provides a casting block containing three separate (but identical) rudders. Detail is crisp, with recessed panel lines that match those found on the kit parts (because, it appears Quickboost actually removed that part from the Tamiya kit, added a V–shaped edge to fit against the fin and cast three of the rudders in resin). Since the rudders of most Fw 190s are nearly identical, these parts should be of use on a number of 1/72 Focke Wulf kits marketed by other companies.