Su-27 Flanker B Exhaust Nozzles

Published: May 6, 2013
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Aires with this detail set has provided the modeler with the means to upgrade the 1/72 Su-27UB Trumpeter kit. This resin accessory kit comes with eight resin parts that will assembly into two exhaust nozzles and one small piece of photo-etch that has two afterburner rings, one for each nozzle. The resin is typical for Aires being fine grain and flash free. The photo-etch looks to be stainless… more

BAE Harrier Pitot and AOA Probes

Published: March 7, 2013
Company: Master Model

This detailing set covers the Harrier GR.1, T.2, AV-8A and AV-8C, so there have been many companies that have produced various of these models in 1/72 scale over the years. In all cases, the plastic Pitot tube, while small, is still larger and less defined than the turned metal Pitot tube that Master-Model has gained a deserved reputation for making. This detail set also includes the Angle of… more

V3000S/SSM Sd.Kfz.3b Maultier

Published: February 2, 2013
Company: ICM

During WWII, the German Wehmacht used a varity of truck types for their supply system. The most numerous were the 3-ton trucks, and of these many were the V3000S, produced at the Ford plant in Cologne. With the invasion of Russia, it quickly became obvious that tracked vehicles were vital if supplies were to be delivered. A solution was found to develop an add-on track system that could be… more

F-15E Strike Eagle

Published: January 7, 2013
Company: Hasegawa

Hasegawa has released their 1/72 F-15E Strike Eagle kit several time, and this latest release (kit#01569) does sport three new sprues and one sprue from their JDAM weapon set that provides the Lantrin pods. Comparing an earlier release to this one, I did notice that some smaller parts are beginning to show fine flashing, at least on this kit that I have. However, the recessed panel lines are… more

Douglas A-4B/4P Skyhawk

Published: December 2, 2012
Company: Airfix

Airfix has been busy lately coming out with newly tooled model kits, and the A-4B/4P Skyhawk continues that trend. The A-4 Skyhawk was a very successful light attack design by Douglas for the US Navy (and foreign buyers) and had a very long and effective career. There are many books that will go into great length on the development and history of this aircraft, so I will only deal with the… more

Sea Vixen FAW.1 Correct Nose

Published: November 1, 2012
Company: Quickboost

When Cyber-Hobby came out with a 1/72 scale Sea Vixen FAW.1, model reviewers were quick to point out that the nose did not have the proper profile of a Sea Vixen. Quickboost has come to the rescue of those modelers who have been waiting for some aftermarket producer to correct this.

Upon checking drawings and photographs, it appears that Quickboost’s corrected nose will, in fact, do the… more

XB-35 Flying Wing

Published: October 27, 2012
Company: Cyber-Hobby

Several months ago, Cyber-Hobby came out with a kit of the Northrop YB-49 in 1/200 scale. They have now followed up on that with a new kit of the Northrop XB-35, again in 1/200 scale. With a wing span of 172 feet, this would be a very large model in 1/72 scale and still a good-sized one in 1/144 scale. With 1/200 scale, the XB-35's wing span is a manageable 10.32 inches in width. There are 70… more

Sea King HC.4 Falklands War

Published: September 22, 2012
Company: Cyber-Hobby

Cyber-Hobby has released a new helicopter, the Sea King HC.4 in 1/72 scale, that marks the 30th anniversary of its use by the English forces during the Falklands War (1982). The kit has 6 sprues for a part count of 151 pieces, of which 7 will not be used. In addition, a small photo-etch sheet of three parts is included, as well as a decal sheet printed by Cartograf that will allow six… more

Curtiss P-40B/C Wheel Bay Set

Published: September 1, 2012
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Aires has provided a resin wheel bay set for the Curtiss P-40B/C (recommended kit – Airfix Curtiss Hawk 81-A-2). This includes both main wheel wells and a canvas cover for the tail wheel support. When the early Curtiss P-40’s left the factory, they had a canvas cover in the wheel wells that kept debris from entering the wing. From what I have read, it was common that this was removed by the… more

German Power Generator, WWII

Published: August 21, 2012
Company: Plusmodel

Plus Model has provided the armor modeler with a finely cast and detailed model of a German power generator used in WWII.

A quick check on the internet found that the Plus Model generator is in fact the Breuer WG3000 (3kw) generator. This generator delivers 3000w/220v/13.6a and uses a two-cylinder horizontally-opposed four-stroke engine that makes 17hp at 1,500 rpm. It was about as… more