“Seidentasche aus dem Ohr einer Sau” is German for “Silk purse from a sow’s ear.” I like older kits and have a soft spot for building something beautiful from an old kit; however, when a kit is newly released, I expect more than a model from the 1970s. This kit traces its lineage to ESCI Kit No. 8026 (first released in 1974). This version of the kit first entered Italeri as Kit No. 7018 in 2004 with new decals. This kit (7018 on Italeri’s website, 557018 on MRC’s website) has amazing box art of a Panther Ausf A with Zimmerit, schürzen, new decals for five versions, link-and-length tracks, and one figure. Apart from the decals, this kit is the same as the previous Italeri version from 21 years ago, which is the same Esci kit going back over fifty years.

Reference the MRC website (https://www.modelrectifier.com/product-p/557018.htm),

This review covers the Lighthouse 1:160 Scale Atlantis L70779. Its 22 pieces are molded in white and clear and has a battery (Two CR2032’s) powered light that fades at the top of the tower.

This kit’s scale, Aka "N" scale, is meant to be displayed separately or with numerous N scale ships and model railroads. This kit was originally released by Lindberg in 1969 and most recently re-issued in 2023 by Atlantis Models. Finished dimensions are~ L-11.5”W-6.5” H-10.5.”

Overall, it’s a nice level 2 snap kit but adding some glue in places is really a good idea, and we’ll show where to do that. There is also a leftover error that must be addressed for realism. Detailing the base is mandatory and the use of washes will really make details stand out. Rigging the poles is tricky but a product called EZLine makes it simple. The use of clear tint on the beacon’s lenses will enhance the kit for that extra touch.

Tony Buttler was born in 1956 and joined High Duty Alloys in Redditch in 1974 as a metallurgist. For nearly 20 years he was closely involved in the testing of aluminum and titanium airframe and engine components for many of the world’s most important airplanes. It was during this timeframe that his interest in military aircraft grew into a passion. Since 1995, Tony has been a freelance aviation historian, with this book being his 44^th major release. This includes hard cover books on British Secret Projects, American Secret Projects, Secret Soviet Projects, and X-Planes of Europe. He has also written many titles for the Warpaint series of monographs as well as many articles for most of the popular historical aviation magazines.