Ben Morton
Reviews By Author
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Posters ColumnPublished:
One of Haulers latest diorama accessories is a 1/72nd scale poster column. (They also offer a 1/48th scale poster column.) These advertising columns were ubiquitous throughout Europe during the early portion of the twentieth century. In many cases a version of these poster/advertising columns can still be seen in Poland, Germany, France and elsewhere. I haven't located any definitive evidence but it appears as if Hauler may have inherited this kit from Tiger Productions. Scalemates website currently lists this kit as having been issued by Tiger productions in 2011. Tiger Productions may have been affiliated with Black Dog (https… more |
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Battlestar Galactica Gas TrolleyPublished:
Cozmic Scale Models is a UK- based, passionate maker of high-quality resin model kits, diorama accessory items and other assorted paraphernalia for all things Sci-Fi. Many of their items are designed specifically with either Battlestar Galactica or Star Trek in mind. A number of these accessory items are 3-D printed which seems to be the case with this 1/32nd scale compressed gas bottle and trolley. The gas trolley and handle are in an off-white resin and both items exhibit excellent detail. These two parts can be assembled with only minimal clean-up of the resin bits. Do exercise some caution when removing the handle from the casting sprue, as it is delicate. The handle is pose-able as the mounting holes are cast into the base of the gas bottle. Nice touch! The kit… more |
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Sand Filled Crates (Stackable)Published:
Before we begin, a few words from our sponsor... The Value Gear Details idea is to give model builders (me included) a more useful spares box! Creating and casting sets of Generic/Universal stowage. No helmets, no weapons and nothing to keep you from using it in a wooden cart, a chariot, a truck, or a Panther tank. "Any Army, Any Era!" is my motto. They won't work on everything but so far I have seen people use them on so many different trucks and tanks and even some War Hammer tanks and dioramas. Stowage are accents to help give your model some story or a lived in realistic look. Armies live under canvas... The Generic/Universal idea is one that bounced around in my head for years, but I never had time or energy working 12 hours a day in USA, to get started.… more |
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Glu-BudyPublished:
Tiger Werke Resin’s latest entry making modelers life easier is the “Glu-Budy”. As with almost all their products, the Glu-Budy is cast in a light gray, urethane resin and requires neither assembly nor painting. [However, you do have to take it out of the box. :)] This lightweight resin glue/paint holder will help eliminate that dreaded problem of the errant tipping of your modeling supplies. The “Glu-Budy is sized for square bottled modeling supplies (glue, panel line accent colors, decal solutions, etc.) from various providers (Tamiya, Mr. Hobby, etc.) This item has one square orifice and another round one sized for 10ml paints or other finishing supplies (Testor's, AK Interactive, etc.) Tiger Werke Resin also has another Glu-Budy (#35227) that features two square… more |
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Rocking HorsesPublished:
Monroe Perdu Studios has been in existence since 2001. They specialize in both resin (notably Zimmerit sheets) and laser cut kits for diorama and architectural-subject builders. Offered in various scales, their laser cut kits provide some unique structures (chapel, farmhouse, etc.) as well as more than a few diorama accessory items (church pew, wheelbarrow, wooden scooters, etc.) that could easily find a home in your next project. One such item is a kit of two wooden rocking horse. The laser cut parts for the two different styles of rocking horses come on a small sheet of thin cardboard. Don't let the nature of that material put you off, the assembled 'horsies' couldn't be sturdier. The nature of the laser cutting that Monroe Perdu Studios uses is such that most parts… more |
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F6F-3K Hellcat "Dawn of Drone"Published:
Shocking in the stark realism of perfected three dimensions...out of the muck and mystery of a hundred million years ago...up from the depths of unknown horror comes an abomination to confound science and terrorize the world. It''s ' Dawn of Drone ' ! While that might be a bit melodramatic and with apologies to the producers of 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' this release from Platz Hobby does illustrate beautifully (in scale model form) the beginnings of the use of drone aircraft in the early 1950's. Platz Hobby's 1/144th scale F6F-3K Hellcat depicts F6F-3K Hellcats used during the atomic weapon tests at Bikini atoll in the early fifties. For a more detailed description I encourage you to click the link to an article by Dan Gettinger about those events and the early… more |
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KDA-1 (Q-2A) Firebee with TrailerPublished:
The Ryan Firebee is a series of target drones developed by the Ryan Aeronautical Company beginning in 1951. It was one of the first jet-propelled drones, and remains one of the most widely used target drones ever built. The Firebee I was the result of a 1948 U.S. Air Force request and contract to Ryan for a jet-powered gunnery target. The first flight of the XQ-2 Firebee prototype took place in early 1951. The drone featured swept flight surfaces and a circular nose inlet. The initial models had distinctive "arrowhead" shaped end plates on the tailplane. The Firebee could be air-launched from a specially modified launch aircraft (Douglas A-26 Invader was first to be used for this), or ground-launched with a single RATO booster. Following successful evaluation the… more |
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Warriors of Light: Digital Su-27S & Su-27UB DecalsPublished:
This review was originally published on May 4, 2021. Shortly thereafter IPMS/USA received some additional information from Alexander Pawlygin representing "Foxbot Decals". IPMS/USA is pleased to have received this additional information and thanks Mr. Pawlygin and Foxbot Decals for sharing it with IPMS/USA. Mr. Pawlygin states...... 1. The decal 72-004 contains numbers for (a) single seat Su-27S/P and for (a) twin seat Su-27UBM. Masks for Su-27 and Su-27UB are different. Therefore we cannot complete this decal with masks. But we have separate decals for Su-27 and Su-27UB in 1/48 scale and we have sets 48-047A for Digital Su-27 and 48-067A for Digital Su-27UB which contains decals with masks. 2. The organization, "Phoenix Wings" restored two An-26B (05 "Lucky"… more |
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Volvo F16 Globetrotter Canvas Truck with ElevatorPublished:
The Volvo F16 Globetrotter has been a commercial success since its 1988 introduction. The basic design has been re-configured into several different models ranging from a towing tractor (with a single axle, rear end), an XL version with a sleeper cab, and a reefer truck, among others. The F16 Globetrotter has been replaced in the Volvo inventory with the upgraded FH / FH XL series. (There is an XXL series but that may just be a shirt size. :) As is the case with the real Volvo Motor Company, Italeri has also been manufacturing some excellent truck models. They have available all of the aforementioned trucks in 1/24th scale. Just such a truck model is the subject of this missive, the Volvo F16 Globetrotter Canvas Truck. This canvas (or curtain) sided truck model… more |
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How To Build A Patina VolkwagenPublished:
Mark Walker has released a companion edition to an earlier Veloce Publication: Patina Volkswagens. [For a through description of that publication, see Bill O'Malley's IPMS/USA review.] Mr. Walker's latest foray into patina Volkswagens is entitled How To Build A Patina Volkswagen. This companion volume allows for a more through discussion and understanding of this trend (patina finishes) in automotive restoration circles. By exploring all the ends and outs of this trend, Mr. Walker provides the reader with a complete understanding of what is really involved with this trend in automotive… more |