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Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.00

This sheet of markings is for the F/A-18Bs belonging to VFA-125, The Rough Raiders. They are one of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aggressor squadrons whose mission is to teach other fighter squadrons the tactics and skills they need to stay alive in a real dog fight.

This set of markings comes with decals for 5 separate aircraft. They are:

Review Author
Dan Mackay
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$3.40

I have collected and built a few Hasegawa P-51B/C's over the years. The Hasegawa exhausts are adequate but do not have the flanges and are not hollowed out on their ends. I like my exhausts drilled and find this task very tedious. Quickboost solves this issue. This set is cast in light grey resin with no molding flaws, and is designed as direct replacements for the kit exhausts with no modifications needed.

The Quickboost exhaust fit perfectly to into the Hasegawa cowl (see photo). I also test fitted these exhausts into the Academy and Revell Mustangs, but they were not very good fits for either so they cannot be substituted for the kit parts. Perhaps in time the good folks at Quickboost will make exhausts to fit these kits as well. The MRSP is very reasonable and really will dress-up this area. I recommend this latest Quickboost update for the Hasegawa P-51B/C family of kits without reservation.

Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
Company
Minicraft Model Kits
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$11.95

The Aircraft

If you aren’t at least familiar with the F-4 Phantom II, you have either lived in a cave or a monastery for the last 50 years. Or you might be a WW2 fanatic. The Phantom was produced in huge numbers (5195) and sold to many countries (11). The US Air Force, Navy and Marines used the F-4. The last of the Phantoms are now flying with the Turkish Air Force, Japan and South Korea.

This kit is the F-4E, an Air Force version with the internal 20 mm cannon. If you’re interested in less well known air forces, the F-4E has been used by Australia, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, South Korea, and Turkey. Germany also had some F-4Es, but they were based at Holloman in New Mexico with the Luftwaffe training group.

Review Author
Chuck Herrmann
Published on
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$72.00

Subject:The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was a supercar designed to compete with the world’s greatest sports cars, such as Ferrari and Porsche. The SLR series, which means "Sport, Leicht, Rennsport" (sport, light, racing) was first designed by M-B in the 1950’s. This modern version was a joint project between M-B and McLaren Automotive, the championship racing team who used M-B engines in their Formula One Grand Prix race cars. Like many other recent retro style cars, many design elements were classic vintage Mercedes trademarks, such as the long front hood and the gull-wing doors hinged at the top. The new SLR was launched in 2003. This 722 Special Edition, of which only 150 were to be built, was launched in 2006. The differences were a more powerful engine, new front splitter, different wheels and unique badging. Only 150 were produced, all silver. The name honors the famous M-B race victory in 1955, at the Mille-Miglia 1,000 mile open road race across Italy.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.95
  • Intake Covers Type A or B
  • Part No. : 32088 / 32091
  • MSRP: $ 8.95
  • Exhaust Covers Type A or B
  • Part No. : 32087 / 32090
  • MSRP: $ 8.95

I love building jets but there are two things that are a pain on most of them and that is getting the ejector pin marks out of the intakes and exhausts. Besides that, almost all jets have covers on them as soon as possible to prevent FOD damage so if you want to pose a parked jet, it should have these covers on them- engines are expensive!

Quickboost has issued two sets each for exhaust and intake covers which are as simple as they sound and yet can make the diorama pop to life. The intake covers are one piece for each side with two delicate handles for each cover that can be detached and added. The difference between type A and B is the raised pattern on them. I trimmed one set, painted them red and tested the fit on my Trumpeter MiG-29. The fit was perfect.