Ben Morton
Reviews By Author
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Hawk MIM-23 SAMPublished:
This is what the website Army Recognition has to allow about the Raytheon Hawk Missile: The HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer) MIM-23 is an all-weather low to medium altitude ground-to-air missile system developed and designed by the American Defense Company Raytheon. The HAWK semi-active radar seeking medium-range SAM system commenced development in 1952 with the US Army awarding a full-scale development contract to Raytheon for the missile in July 1954. Northrop was to provide the launcher and loader, radars and fire control. The first guided test firing took place in June 1956 with the development phase completed in July 1957. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of the Basic HAWK, MIM-23A, took… more |
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German Machine Guns SetPublished:
One of the latest entries into MiniArt Models line of WWII Military Miniatures is a German Machine Guns set. There is enough styrene in the box to build two MG 34's, two MG 42's and one ZB 53. The ZB 53 was a Czech design and were from captured stocks after the German Army invaded Czechoslovakia at the beginning of WWII. The Germans later changed the designation to MG 37. All of these weapons utilized 7.92x57 ammunition. Fun Fact: The MG 42, although redesigned and improved, is still in service as the MG 3. Along with the machine guns there are parts for ammo cans, barrel canisters, and ammunition belts. MiniArt thoughtfully includes photoetch bits for the carrying straps/slings of each gun, handles for the ammo cans, and the cooling vanes/heat shields on the barrel of… more |
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F-16C Alaskan Splinter DecalsPublished:
Most aircraft scale models come with built-in color schemes. When modeling a WWII Japanese aircraft you are kinda expected to show up with either a green one or a light gray one. If you like to model Century series (F-104, F-106, etc.) fighters you're more or less stuck with a natural metal finish. And if you're a fan of the SR-71 Blackbird it is forbidden to paint it in any color other than black. Although, you might get away with a deep deep deep dark blue. Modern USAF aircraft (F-15, C-130, etc.) now come in any of color you like, as long as it's gray. Which is not to say that one doesn't have any options when it comes to choosing an optional paint scheme for your latest modeling project. It is often the case that what was old has all of a sudden become new again. Such is… more |
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The Splintered Empires: The Eastern Front 1917-21Published:
That Thing You Do! is a 1996 American musical written and directed by Tom Hanks in his directorial debut; he also co-stars in it. Set in the summer of 1964, the film tells the story of the rise and fall of a one-hit wonder pop band. The film also resulted in a musical hit with the song "That Thing You Do". (Wikipedia) One of the more memorable lines from the film involves one member (Steve Zahn) of the band, reflecting upon their collective fate, asking another member (Tom Everett Scott), "How did we get here?" His response is "I led you here, sir, for I am Spartacus." It is often mentioned that the execution of the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo by Serbian nationalists was the catalyst for the beginning of the First World War. While that event did have an… more |
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Middle East Allied Pilot WWII with DogPublished:
Aires Hobby Models is a company in the Czech republic that has been manufacturing resin aftermarkets bits for some few days now. (Actually years.) They produce cockpits, complete engines, detail and conversion sets, and figures. The scales range from 1/72nd to 1/32nd. Their figures are sold under the banner of Aero Bonus and include a large number of nicely sculpted and molded resin figurines. The subject of this review is a Middle East Allied Pilot WWII with a dog in 1/48th scale. The dog looks to be an Airedale Terrier in need of grooming but it could just be a mutt. The kit is molded in light gray resin and includes six parts. Aero Bonus also provides a painting guide with the kit. The pilot is posed leaning on a crate while… more |
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Modern Russian Tank CommanderPublished:
Welcome to the world of heavy details. That is the banner on the homepage of Aires Hobby Models. It is quite apropos. The company, in the Czech republic, has been producing aftermarket resin bits for years. The have an extensive assortment of aircraft air-brakes, arms and weapons, cockpit sets, ejection seats, and figurines. They market their figurines under the Aero Bonus line. The Aero Bonus line consists of 1/72nd and 1/48th scale figures. Aero Bonus includes a painting guide with each figure as well as recommendations for the kits that would be appropriate for a particular offering(figure). Some of the subjects they offer are designed with a specific kit in mind. However all of their subjects will work nicely with any suitably scaled kit. The subject of this review… more |
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UH-1D/H StencilsPublished:
Werner’s Wings is proud to announce the release of our latest decal sheet WW Decals 48-15-UH-1D/H Stencils. Obstensively designed for the new Kitty Hawk UH-1D kit they will work with an 1/48th scale Huey. Each stencil sheet offers the complete stencils to do one UH-1D/H aircraft. Decals are even provided for the various placards and stenciling found on the inside of the crew and passenger doors. Nice! The stenciling was originally done in yellow with yellow step bars and red turbine warning strips. These markings were later changed to black. Werner's Wings has thoughtfully provide both markings in yellow and black. Additional unit markings and symbols are provided, as well as, numbers in black, white and yellow. The danger arrows (just forward of the tail rotor) are… more |
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Ride Of The Valkyries: The UH-1D in VietnamPublished:
Werner’s Wings is proud to announce the release of their latest decal sheet Werner's Wings Decal 48-14 Ride of the Valkyries - UH-1D/H in Vietnam. Designed specifically for the Kitty Hawk 1/48th scale kit, these decals will fit any 1/48th scale UH-1D/H kit. There are 14 new marking options, as well as, stencils in black and yellow for one aircraft. Unique Danger warnings are provided in multiple colors and in English, Vietnamese and Korean. Werner's Wing Decal 48-14 includes stencils for one aircraft on the same sheet. If you want to do more than one aircraft, additional stencils are available from Werner's Wings with their decal sheet 48-15 UH-1D/H Stencils. The decals include markings for three Medal of Honor recipients, Major Bruce Crandall and Captain Ed “… more |
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Albatros B.II Landing Gear (WW)Published:
According to Wikipedia, the Albatros D.II was a German fighter aircraft used during WWI. After a successful combat career in the early Jagdstaffein, it was gradually superseded by the Albatros D.III. To assist the scale modeler with reliving the exploits of the early days of WWI and the air war, Wingnut Wings has released a 1/32nd scale, injected molded aircraft kit of the Albatros II. Wingnut Wings’ fidelity to both detail and scale is widely known. So much so that even armor modelers are aware of the quality of these kits. But their fidelity to scale can come at a price. Reviewers have all sung the praises of these kits, but with the occasional provision: the landing gear struts, on some kits,… more |
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Modern AFV Antenna - Straight & Tilted VersionsPublished:
If you click the “About Us” tab on the Master Model website you'll read the following: Master Model was created in Poland with a passion for modeling. The company knows how important details are for you. We strive to give you the best possibility of making perfect models, which are a reflection of the originals. The most important thing for us is your satisfaction. By utilizing high product quality, great workmanship, and above all customers contentment, we will take care of you. To that end, there is even a proviso that should the need arise, you may contact the headman, Piotr Czerkasow, directly. Rather lofty aspirations for a company that manufacturers brass aftermarket gun barrels and pitot tubes for aircraft, ships and armor models. An aspiration that the company has been… more |