Quickboost has provided the modeling market with a whole series of useful aftermarket items that give a little extra detail or convenience without breaking the bank. These small sets tend to focus on one aspect of a model needing improvement - thus, the modeler can choose where to spend their energy, and money, on kit improvements. This small set from Quickboost improves the look of the open auxiliary air inlets on the side of the F-5 series of aircraft by AFV Club.

In the Box

The bag with card hanger comes with fourteen resin parts. Of those, twelve are the individual louvers and two are the drop-in fuselage plugs. Casting is perfect, with crisp detail. The fuselage plugs show more depth and detail than the kit parts and will be a marked improvement.

I must admit that I had not carefully examined any 1/72 Lifelike decals before I received two sets to review. When they arrived, I realized I’ve been missing something…something rather impressive. If Lifelike set # 72-020 is typical of other sets (and the other set I received indicates it is)…they will almost make you want to peal the stretch wrapping off a new kit box and start clipping parts.

Lifelike decals appear to come from people who know something about the subjects they cover, are focused on delivering high quality…and, who have figured out how to do it right! The sets include careful research, the original artwork looks accurate, the print registration is excellent, the colors are vivid, the film is very thin and the subjects covered are most appealing.

I will start this review by stating that I have little knowledge of the workings of modern main battle tanks, but I do find them “really cool looking” and so jumped at the chance to build this new offering from Zvezda of Russia. With the turret and main hull festooned with blocks of ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor), carrying a massive 125mm smooth bore main gun, and the turret looking like something from a Star Wars movie, these beasts are very menacing looking!!