Review Author
Don Barry
Published on
November 9, 2011
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$79.95

The kit consists of over 400 parts on 15 sprues (7 containing individual track links), 1 upper hull, 1 small photo-etched fret, and 1 sprue of clear parts. The instructions are the exploded view type, with part numbers and sprue letters called out, consisting of 15 assembly steps on a single, multi-fold sheet. Painting details are shown throughout.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
November 9, 2011
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.20

The Parts:

Quickboost is releasing products similar to this item for an ever-widening range of aircraft, and each of these products that I’ve seen lives up to the high standards of quality for which Quickboost is known. Included in this offering are four individual prop blades, two prop hubs into which the blades are fitted, and two spinners. Of course, also included is the “tool”, which is a solid block of resin with a specially designed layout that holds the prop blades and hubs in correct alignment for assembly.

Assembly:

Assembly is straightforward and can be accomplished after painting. That makes life easier for the builder. One simply places a “hub” in the receiving bay within the “tool”, places a prop on the “tool”, and glues it into the hub. No fuss, no muss, and perfect alignment every time!

Conclusion:

Review Author
Bill Kluge
Published on
September 20, 2021
Company
Fine Molds
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$129.95

The Ship

When the Japanese destroyers of the Fubuki class first appeared in 1928, they took the rest of the world’s sea powers completely by surprise, and their combination of large size, high speed and heavy firepower set the standard for other navies to follow for the next decade. Commissioned in 1930, HIJMS Ayanami was the lead ship of an improved Fubuki “Special Type” with its main armament of six 5” guns capable of 75º of elevation, in theory making her the first warship in the world with main guns capable of taking on surface vessels and aircraft. However, her fire control was inadequate to the anti-aircraft task, and these weapons were never effective in that role.

Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
November 9, 2011
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72, 1/48, 1/32

Well, it’s November and Ross McMillan and his elves appear to be busy as ever with six new SAC releases. These range in scale from 1/72nd through 1/32nd and, as always, are welcome additions to his ever-growing list of metal replacement gear. This month’s releases are as follows:

  • #32057 – Dewoitine D.520 Landing Gear – replacement for 1/32 Azur - $ 14.95
  • #48152 – Mirage 2000 Landing Gear – replacement for 1/48 Heller, Eduard - $ 16.95
  • #48153 – Yak-38 Landing Gear – replacement for 1/48 Hobby Boss - $ 16.95
  • #48154 – P-61 Black Widow Landing Gear – replacement for 1/48 Great Wall - $ 16.95
  • #38155 – FW 190 Landing Gear – replacement for all 1/48 Hasegawa - $ 16.95
  • #72038 – Ju-52 Landing Gear – replacement for 1/72 Italeri - $ 12.95

Most highly recommended.

Make sure to visit their website to see these and a list of other gear available at quality Hobby Suppliers, or you can order direct.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
November 9, 2011
Company
KP Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$62.99

In the latter half of the 1970’s the Sukhoi Design Bureau rolled out the Su-25, NATO codenamed “Frogfoot”, to the Soviet Air Force to fill a requirement for a dedicated close air support aircraft. Similar in role to the US Air Force’s A-10 Warthog, the Su-25 was designed to carry large air-to-ground payloads and internal cannon to defeat a wide variety of ground threats, including armor and personnel, and to have extended on-station time in the combat area to provide maximum support to its ground forces. About a decade after the Su-25’s introduction, Sukhoi began delivery of two-seat trainer variant prototypes and production units. Designated “UB” and “UBK,” these variants offered the capability to provide direct skill assessment of flight cadets and training and operational effectiveness reviews of active combat pilots.