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Review Author
Donald Boger
Published on
September 19, 2011
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$25.95

Recently Revell has been reissuing some of the older Monogram titles under the Revell name. This time around they have chosen to bring back the 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302, under their Motor-City Muscle line. With this kit you have 2 choices of building it, stock, or a modified Trans Am car, with only 98 parts total. Parts are molded in white, clear, and chrome plated.

The instruction sheet is 10 steps, 9 of the actual assembly sequence and one for applying decals for either version the builder wishes to choose from.

The first step in the instructions deals with the stock engine construction, which is what I chose for the built up model.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
September 17, 2011
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$95.00

The Parts

You will recognize the molding as it goes back, to my knowledge, to at least 1999. On several of the pieces in the box, one can find the original copyright inscription of “Revell 1999”. It has also been released under the Monogram label as well, as is the case with this review item. This is not a problem, since the kit was a good kit in 1999 and is still a good kit in 2011. That having been said, there are some signs of age on the finished parts. On several pieces a tan-colored stain appears, and upon inspection with a fingertip, this substance appears to be oil. The location of the stains indicates that it might be a mold-release agent that simply was not cleaned up properly before packaging. It is advisable, therefore, to wash all of the pieces thoroughly prior to assembly. A sign of an aging or ill-fitting mold is flash, and there is some flash that will need to be cleaned up.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
September 17, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$59.95

When Eduard announced a new-tool 1/48th scale Mig 21, it opened up a world of possibilities as this was one of the most produced planes ever and served with a myriad of countries. The variants and markings are close to endless and they can be very colorful. This particular model is the Mig-21SMT version, a third generation plane with increased range. The kit is molded in Eduard's normal off green plastic on eight sprues plus a clear sprue, and there is no flash at all on the about 450 parts. It is also very complete with multiple sets of ordnance, variations in canopies, and a complete set of decals for the five schemes included – two Russian, one Polish, and two Soviet Union. There is also a complete set of stencils – over 100 stencils alone for the plane. In addition to that, there is a canopy and clear part mask, two photo etch frets – one colored and one plain – and four complete Brassin rocket pods. All of this for a little over $50 US, an excellent value.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
September 17, 2011
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$69.00

This model is not a complex build, but it does have some details that are extremely small. Be forewarned: good tweezers, sprue cutters, and an extra fine razor saw blade are mandatory to release some of the over 650 parts of miniscule carpet-monster food that exist on the trees. An exploded diagram with two hull sides, 7 parts runners, one display base, a decal sheet with flags and early aircraft markings, and a PE sheet with crane structure are provided. I opted to do the kit without extra PE or rigging to show what a buyer gets for his money. In this case, a lot!

Study the instructions first; as usual, since ships hold some pitfalls if you don’t. Small parts that fit in places which are hard to get to later are the norm. Paint the splinter camo as you go along; otherwise you won’t be able to do it upon completion of the build. In this build, the hull is constructed first.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
September 17, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$26.95

Thanks as usual to Eduard for providing us the latest upgrades for our AMS builds. Eduard’s photoetch is world-class; so here’s a simple upgrade opportunity for the ship builders… the elusive railings for stairways!

During my recent IPMS build of the new Academy “HMS Warspite”, I used a section of this railing for one of the stair sections to the upper fighting top area. Simple as can be; measure, cut, superglue in place. Worth every penny… Railing is always difficult to find, and I appreciate Eduard developing this set. 10 of 10!