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Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
Fab Scale
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.99

These J-79 Exhaust Nozzles (for the Kinetic Kit No. 48083 primarily, and K48090 and K48093, and most likely any F-104 Starfighter that utilized the J-79 General Electric axial-flow turbojet engine) are a recent release by Chinese manufacturer Fab Scale. Fab Scale’s online presence is hard to find with the provided QR codes stating that the site can’t be reached). The same is for the supplier, Warspite Model Company. It is a shame as this three-piece exhaust nozzle set is exquisite!

The sturdy box protects the three pieces, each in their own protective Ziplock pouch. The instructions are the box art which shows the arrangement of the three parts. Removal of the 3D supports with a razor saw is easy and, after a quick wash, ready for assembly.

Book Author(s)
Andrew Long
Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
Helion & Company
MSRP
$29.95

This 27th publication of the ‘Europe at War’ series was of particular interest to me personally. I lived in northern Germany in the years leading up to and including the Fall of the Berlin Wall and had many direct encounters – most of them not good – with East German authorities.

Andrew Long of Great Britain is a military history researcher. His interest in the Cold War begin with a trip to West Berlin in 1986 (perhaps he and I crossed paths and didn’t even know it!). He traveled through Check Point Charlie to visit East Berlin. Andrew makes sense of this very complex period of history by intertwining stories of politics, ideology, personalities, technology and geography. He has also written Cold War Berlin: An Island City, Volumes 1 & 2 as well as ‘Secrets of the Cold War’.

Review Author
Rick Reinert
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$64.99

Introduction

This is a continuation in the Hawker Hurricane series being released by Arma Hobby. This is the fourth release in the Hurricane series. Previous releases included the Mk IIc and Mk IIc tropical, and the Mk IIc “Jubilee”. The Sea Hurricane (Mk IIc) is their next release. I believe that this review will be applicable to any of their Hurricanes. It is obviously a common molding for all variants.

Reviewer’s Comments

I recently reviewed the Hobby Boss Hurricane Mk IIc and I thought it would be great to review an Arma hurricane as a comparison.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
Fab Scale
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.99

A new set of 3D printed F-16 LAU-129 Missile Launcher in 1/48th scale (4 pieces) is provided by Fab Scale for the Tamiya kit. This is a drop-in replacement for the Tamiya kit for launchers that hold AIM-9 Sidewinders or AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.

Note: There is no official website for Fab Scale, a business card was inside the box referencing Scalemates.com

In The Package & Product Notes

The sample review I received came in a small plastic box wrapped in a Ziploc bag and surrounded by foam.

There are four (4) 3D printed LAU-129 missile launchers printed with pink salmon colored resin. These parts can replace C28 & C29 from the Tamiya kit.

The printed resolution of the missile launcher is amazing. There is a lot of tiny detail throughout the entire part and some careful painting and contrast weathering will make them pop.

Review Author
Jason Holt
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
ICM
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$87.99

The Gotha Go-242 was a World War II Luftwaffe Transport Glider. Typically towed by another aircraft into combat, the glider would release, land, and then deploy its cargo of men and material. It was used in France, Africa, and the Eastern Front for the German Army. There were different variants designed which featured different landing gear configuration as well as one that had engines. ICM has produced these different versions as well in the following kits. (48224 Go-244B and 48226 Go-242A)