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Review Author
Tom Moon
Published on
July 4, 2020
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$62.95

The Flakpanzer IV “Wirbelwind” (German for whirlwind) was a self-propelled quad 2.0 cm anti-aircraft gun based on the Pz IV. It was developed in 1944 as a replacement for the Mobelwagen. The Wirbelwind was replaced by the Ostwind with a single 3.7cm FlaK 43. The number of units produced ranged from upper 80’s to approximately 105.

This is a multimedia kit comprised of 500+ styrene parts, magic tracks, one braided metal wire (which is very stiff even after annealing), one photo etched fret, decals and the set of instructions that need to be reviewed very carefully before gluing any parts together.

Most Dragon models today are a collection of old sprues and new sprues added to create a new kit variant. In this case, Dragon has done so and you will have some sprues with the same letter. Even though Dragon has not advertised this is a 2-in-1 kit, you have many options that need to be reviewed and decided on before you start this kit.

Review Author
Tom Sprawls
Published on
July 31, 2011
Company
ModelMakerZ
MSRP
$5.00

Among the companies offering ways to weather and complement the realism of your scale models a new competitor has emerged. The company ModelMaker Z is now offering Pigment Powders. A selection of 17 unique colors with descriptive names such as Dark Russian Dirt, South East Asian Mud, Old Rust, Medium Rust, and Panzer Gray Fading are available. The ultra-fine pigment powders are packaged in clear half-ounce bottles with screw-on lids. Powder Pigments likes to say the bottles are transparent because “Quality and Value are Clear”. Each 1/2-oz. bottle retails for $5.00 and is available from your local Hobby Shop as well as direct from the ModelMaker Z web site.

Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
July 31, 2011
Company
Master Details
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$15.95

This is the first time I have had the opportunity to review a product from these folks and I must say I am quite impressed. These “tail feathers” are designed as exact kit part replacements with one notable exception…the horizontal stabs and elevators are separated and can be positioned as they should be on the real plane. After spending 55 plus years around aircraft of all types, please trust me. They are sized for the excellent Hasegawa kit

These parts are amongst the best castings I have ever encountered completely free of warpage, pinholes or flaws of any kind. They come in a cream-colored resin, and the engravings are exquisite to say the least. No doubt that they will accept paint and/or washes without problems.

Many thanks to Stephen Sendelbach and Master Details for the review sample. Most highly recommended.

Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
July 31, 2011
Company
Zotz
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$25.00

Created specifically for the new 1/32nd scale Thunderjet by Hobby Boss, this is an absolutely beautiful set of decal markings for 2 F84E’s, one USAF and one French version described as follows:

  • F-84E-20-RE No. 49-2299A, 36 FWB Commander Colonel Robert L Scott Jr. out of Furstenfeldbruck AFB, Germany in late 1952 – early 1953. NOTE: The instructions to paint the tail surface white before applying the blue stripes has been inadvertently left out of the directions. It will need to be done if you choose these markings.
  • F-84G-30-RE No. 52-3023, E.C. 3/11 “Jura” Luxeuil vers 1955.

As in the past, the printing, colors and register are pure perfection. The decals are very thin, yet opaque and applied using the Micro products methods to settle down nicely.

Review Author
Rick Ewing
Published on
July 31, 2011
Company
Wingnut Wings, Ltd
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$19.00

I have to admit, that when I first saw this sheet of decals, I wasn’t too impressed. The six aircraft don’t have the “wow” factor that a lot of us are used to seeing on World War One aircraft. The reds, blues, yellows, and other bright and dazzling color schemes are not here. After looking through the four page booklet, however, I have decided that this is a good thing.

First, you will get six schemes to choose from. All the wings are in green and mauve or just green, so there aren’t any lozenge decals to worry about. Next, none of the fuselages have that dreaded wood grain one has to try to imitate. Instead, they are in grey, green, or silver-grey. This is where the easy part ends and the fun really begins.