Eduard has added to it's line of Super 44 aircraft model kits with a 'new boxing' of an 1/144th scale A-4 F Skyhawk. This re-release of the Platz kit from 2009 comes in a bag with the addition of photo-etch, a decal sheet with markings for four aircraft, and wheel and canopy self-adhesive masks. Alert readers may remember an earlier review (Academy's B-1B) and my inability to remember where I had stashed the canopy masks for that kit. Hopefully that won't be a problem here.

Link to separate IPMS Review of the SAC set.

The Kit

Refer to Part 1 for the base construction of this fine model kit.

Aftemarket Accessories Used

Several months ago I had the opportunity to review the New Ware exhaust mask set that I had originally planned to use on a Zoukei Mura F-4S Phantom sometime later. However with the opportunity to build and review the "J" version I decided now is the time to utilize this set. Since the Zoukei Mura Phantom have had their fair share of reviews I will focus my efforts on describing the use of the New Ware exhaust masks. See my earlier review.

The Kit

Italeri’s new multi-media Alfa Romeo 2300 8C “Monza” race car kit comes in an impressive box measuring 22” x 11” x 4-1/2” (Photo 1). An illustration of the box contents is shown on one of the box lid flaps (Photo 2). Upon opening the box, you find a 28-page instruction booklet, four plastic bags containing 10 styrene sprues, including duplicates of the “D” and “G” sprues, two bags of hardware with various sized screws and nuts, a decal sheet, masking sheet, steel photoetch sheet, nylon mesh sheet, rubber tires, copper wire, rope and rubber tubing (Photo 3). The kit offers using either masks or decals for the No. 28 race car driven by the famous Italian driver Tazio Nuvolari, a nice feature. To try both for the purpose of this build review, I masked the radiator No. 28 and used decals for the body numbers. I used the length of rope to replicate its use as heat protection on the exhaust pipe in the Nuvolari car.