Ben Morton
Reviews By Author
|
A-4E/F Skyhawk Landing GearPublished:
For those that be unfamiliar with Scale Aircraft Conversions this handy explanation from Scale Aircraft Conversions website should solve that problem: We (SAC) are currently producing a line of white metal landing gear for 1/24 to 1/72 scale aircraft. Some sets consist of the main gear only while others include the nose gear. Some inaccuracies in the original kit gear have been corrected but the mounting points remain identical to the factory parts. We have not sought to duplicate component parts where the factory plastic parts are reasonably accurate. After that explanation you might be asking yourself, 'self' why use white metal for these landings gear sets? SAC to the rescue,once again: One advantage of white metal over styrene plastic is strength. Metal parts will… more |
|
PAVE Way I Mk. 83 Slow Speed LGB, Thermally Protected BombsPublished:
Note: Before you begin, click the link to the Tulsa, Oklahoma group The Gap Band. Their hit, “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” is the perfect listening accompaniment for this topic. The DIAZO effects used in the video are kinda cool, too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17lkdqoLt44&list=RD17lkdqoLt44&start_radio=1&t=31 With apologies to Wikipedia... “PAVE Way is a series of laser-guide bombs (L.G.B.). PAVE, or pave, is sometimes used as an acronym for Precision Avionics Vectoring Equipment; literally, electronics for controlling the speed and direction of aircraft. Laser guidance is a form of PAVE. The PAVE Way series of laser-guided bombs was… more |
|
BTR-60 Soviet APCPublished:
Brengun has an extensive line of 1/144th accessories (engine starter carts, boarding ladders, etc.) as well as resin construction kits (US/German staff cars, aircraft, V-1, etc.) in their catalog. Most if not all of these 1/144th scale construction kits come with photo etch details and appropriate decals. One of Brengun's newer offerings is a 1/144 scale resin BTR-60 Soviet Armored Personnel Carrier. The kit is cast in light gray resin and is accompanied by a fret of photoetch (grab handles, rear view mirror brackets, etc.) and a decal sheet with markings for either a Czechoslovakian, Polish, East German, or Soviet vehicle. The decal sheet also has six complete numeral sets in two sizes. Removing the wheels, main gun, and headlights from their… more |
|
USAF B-1B 34th BS "Thunderbirds"Published:
Academy Model Kits is adding to their 1/144th scale bomber fleet with the addition of a Rockwell B-1B Lancer. Academy's previous foray in 1/144th scale aircraft kits was with a B-47 kit. This B-1B is the sixth, depending on how you count them, 1/144th scale B-1. Lindberg, Minicraft, Panda/Dragon, Monogram, and Revell have all had offerings of this aircraft in this scale. However, Academy's 'Bone' is newly-tooled and molded in multiple colors of plastic so it can be built without the use of paint. The fuselage and other aircraft parts all molded in gray, with the landing gear in white plastic, and the wheels and engine exhaust nozzles in black. (Operational B-1's are overall gunship gray with white wheel wells and ordnance bays.) Other… more |
|
C-130 J Engine NacellesPublished:
Attack Squadron from Poland had been producing some lovely resin kits and aftermarket items. Due to circumstances and the decision by their parent company (Arma Hobby) to get out of the resin business, their products started disappearing from the market place. Enter Brengun/Hauler and their check book. It would seem that Brengun/Hauler have purchased most, if not all, of Attack Squadron's molds and have been re-issuing those items ever sense. One of these re-issued after-market offerings is a set of 1:48 scale resin replacement engine nacelles for Italeri's C-130 model. Theses replacement bits will allow you to build a Roll Royce engined C-130 J. Each nacelle comes as a outer shell with a separate front, spinner, and a small resin plug with two antennas and an exhaust deflector… more |
|
Great OtherPublished:
ICM Plastic Model Kits is offering the figure modeler an additional 'Game of Thrones' character for their collection. The previously release was an excellent 1/16th scale plastic kit of the 'King of the Night.' also known as the Ice Zombie King (or is it Zombie Ice King?) from the Game of Thrones series on HBO. The Great Other, within the faith of Sailor, is also known as The Lord of Darkness, Soul of Ice, or God of Night and Terror within the folklore of the Game of Thrones saga. Or, you can just call him Al! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq-gYOrU8bA This companion figure is molded in fifteen, light gray plastic parts with a three-piece display base, in black styrene, and a single clear bit for the… more |
|
M551 Sheridan - Legends of Warfare SeriesPublished:
In the introduction to one of David Doyle's latest offerings, he writes: The M551 Sheridan is often referred to as a light tank, but in actuality it was an armored reconnaissance/airborne assault vehicle. The M551 was designed to be a lightweight, amphibious, air-dropable vehicle armed with a massive 152 mm gun that doubled as a rocket launcher. The gun launcher was designed to fire the MGM-51 Shillelagh antitank missile, or 152 mm conventional rounds with a combustible cartridge case. The vehicles saw extensive use in Vietnam, Operation Just Cause in Panama (where they saw their only combat air drop), and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The Sheridan ended its service with the US Army masquerading as Soviet Bloc vehicles at the National Training Center. Now if David… more |
|
The Corr-U-GatorPublished:
When you click the 'About Us' tab on Masterpiece Models website this is what you'll read... 'Masterpiece Models manufactures and sells the highest quality resin assembly kits on the market today. Featuring kits for a variety of interests including WWII, Vietnam, Sci-fi, and aircraft bases. We have acquired the rights to a large selection of the Custom Dioramics line that are now available through us as resin assembly kits. Our kits are manufactured at our Vancouver, Washington, USA fabrication and casting shop.” What they have left out is that this company also has a line of dinosaur stuff: a T-Rex tooth in one to one scale, several different dinosaur skulls (Velociraptor/Triceratops in 1:9th scale), and a superb, 31” Nautilus submarine of Jules Verne fame, to name a… more |
|
First Aid Basics PigmentsPublished:
I am often in a quandary with how to begin an IPMS/USA product review (It usually doesn’t last too long.) More often than not I'll just use the material that the manufacturers have made available via their websites. So, without further ado, via AMMO/MiG's website: “Which are the most basic pigment colors a modeler needs to get started? Which are the most used colors across all types of modeling subjects including aircraft, ships, military vehicles, or spacecraft? This set (First Aid Basics) provides the easiest solution to the novice modeler who is just starting in the hobby and does not really know what is needed. The set includes the most universal pigment powders most commonly used for any model and ranges from an earth tone to our popular gun metal… more |
|
M728 Combat Engineer VehiclePublished:
From my new, best friends at Wikipedia: The M728 is a full-tracked combat engineer vehicle designed to provide maximum ballistic protection for the crew and is a heavily armed derivative of the M60 series tank. Modified to provide a mobile and maneuverable weapon for combat support of ground troops and vehicles, the M728 vehicle is used for breaching, obstacle removal, transportation of demolition teams, and pioneering operations. Although the M728 consists of a tank hull and a short-barreled turret, it is not a tank and should not be routinely used against enemy tanks. It is an excellent heavy assault support vehicle when used as part of a combined engineer-infantry team. It is usually equipped with either a hydraulically operated M9 Dozer Blade Assembly or a D7… more |