Ben Morton
Reviews By Author
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OV-10 Bronco Pitot TubePublished:
Master Model of Poland has been making turned brass and aluminum gun barrels and pitot tubes (among other items) for several years now and turns out some outstanding replacement parts for aircraft, armor, and ship modelers. All of their products are reasonably priced as well. Adding to the Air Masters series, Master Model of Poland has a simple replacement part for that 1/32ndscale Kitty Hawk OV-10 Bronco that is languishing in your stash. And all for the want of a descent pitot tube. I say that because the pitot tube is rather prominent on this aircraft. Assembly can't be much simpler. You find the kit supplied injected molded part on the appropriate sprue, remove said part, and then throw it in the trash. Take the turned aluminum pitot tube from Master Model out of… more |
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Airfield Display Base #15Published:
From Coastal Kits website: Founded in 2011, Coastal Kits is a family run business based in Blackpool, Lancashire UK and originally retailed plastic model kits and associated hobby supplies. During the latter end of 2012/early 2013 we introduced our own range of display bases, encouraged by a successful launch at Scale Model World Telford where they were well received. Because of the success and popularity of the product we decided to concentrate solely on the manufacture and supply of our display bases. Continually developed, and after listening closely to our customers, the range covers a variety of popular scales and subjects with a choice of over 220. Custom bases are also provided to customer requirements when requested. The display bases are constructed… more |
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Me-163B "War Prizes" w/ Me-163B Komet Photoetch Detail SetPublished:
Brengun has released the Me-163B 1/144th scale kit before but this new boxing has markings for some “War Prizes” or captured aircraft. The kit parts are molded in gray plastic and comprise only ten parts per airplane. Did I mention that there are two complete models in each box? If not, let me tell you now that there are two complete models in each box. The box also contains markings for three separate War Prizes: one British, a Russian, and a Me-163B still in German markings that was taken to the United States for evaluation. Fun Fact: The War Prize that was flown to the U.S. was flight tested by Major Gustav Lundquist. Major Lundquist, was later a Brigadier General and commanding officer at the Arnold Engineering Development Center, the U.S. Air Forces flight test facility.… more |
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F-55 Feuerlilie with Launching RampPublished:
This complete resin and photo-etch kit from Hauler represents the F-55 Feuerlilie (Fire Lily). As mentioned above, the kit also includes the modified 88mm anti-aircraft gun launch platform. If your thinking that this release looks kinda familiar then you'd be right. This kit has previously been available under the Extra TECH banner. The AA missile is comprised of seven light gray resin bits which are easily removed from the pour stubs. The missile body has some lovely engraved panel lines as well as the detail of the thrust nozzles on the aft end of the F-55. The guidance wings, which exhibit their own engraved detail, are all of two pieces to which are added two winglets per wing. After assembling the F-55 missile all that's left to do is decide what color to paint it… more |
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FL 282 V-6 KolibriPublished:
Courtesy of MiniArt Models website: The Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri (“Hummingbird”) is a single-seat open cockpit inter-meshing rotor helicopter produced by Anton Flettner of Germany. The Fl 282 was undoubtedly Anton Flettner’s most successful helicopter development. Prototype testing finished by July of 1940 when the helicopter entered service. In 1942 German Navy began testing of FI 282. The FI 282 was found to have good handling in good and bad weather, with stable flight characteristics in all conditions, whilst also being quite maneuverable. Several tests involved rough conditions at sea including landing in harsh conditions which the Kolibri proved itself a capable and reliable machine. In 1942 a total of twenty prototypes were in testing. Based… more |
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Vought F4U CorsairPublished:
I've made several of attempts to model a Corsair without much success. I either got bored with the build, frustrated with the fit and moved onto something else, or just didn't find a kit that suit my modeling style. I even resorted to conning a fellow club member into doing a buddy-build with dubious success. Mine not theirs. All of those machinations have fallen short of adding a Vought Corsair model to my collection, until now. When I first saw that AFV Club was releasing a 1/144th scale Corsair I was every excited. This diminutive size is my preferred scale for modeling aircraft and until now there really hasn't been a descent kit available. While excited to get my hands on this kit there was a still bit of trepidation. AFV Club has done a series of 1/144th scale P-… more |
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B-24D Liberator "Moby Dick"Published:
The B-24 was produced in greater quantities than any other aircraft in WWII. The B-24D was the early version of the B-24 having served in all theaters of operation. The United States Navy, United States Army Air Force, and many allied air forces units employed the B-24D worldwide. This B-24 kit from Minicraft features a new 'D' fuselage and greenhouse nose with high quality Cartograf decals. The markings are for two 8th Air Force aircraft that served with the U.S. Army Air Corp. When you open the box you'll find thirty-eight light gray plastic bits with fourteen clear plastic parts. You won't be using all of them but you can build the model either in-flight or on the ground. If you choose to do the in-flight version (blade-less spinners and retracted landing gear) you'… more |
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USAAF Camouflaged P-51D, Parts 1 & 2Published:
Decals designed for Tamiya P-51D, but should work for any 1/72nd scale kit. There are more 'new to me' companies out there than I can shake a stick at. One such company is LPS Hobby from Brazil. This group has been making after-market decals sets for a 1/72nd scale aircraft for some few years now. [On a side note: Being part of the IPMS/USA review corps affords the opportunity to get your hands on some of these company’s items without added expense or well... any expense. Something to think about.] The subject of this missive is two sets (Part One and Two) of after-market decals for USAAF camouflaged P-51D's. The subjects are all from the 363rd Fighter squadron, 357th fighter Group stationed at Leistin, England in 1944. The specific aircraft included in… more |
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Tuskegee MustangsPublished:
LPS Hobby from Brazil has a new set of 1/72ndscale after-market decals for several P-51 aircraft that were assigned to the famed Tuskegee Airmen. These markings were carried by aircraft while that unit (332ndFighter Group) was stationed at Ramittell, Italy during 1944. The markings are for:
All of the P-51's assigned to the Red Tails were in natural metal and as such would have had all the attendant markings and stencils applied. LPS Hobby didn't miss that detail and has provided all of the markings and stencils as well as a comprehensive application guide. LPS Hobby has… more |
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Ferrari SF70HPublished:
From the Tamiya America website: The SF70H, the 63rd single-seater designed and built by Scuderia Ferrari, was born out of major regulation changes, with wider tires and cars, plus larger diffusers, meaning that the cars have more aerodynamic down force and greater mechanical grip. Fittingly for the hybrid machine named to commemorate Scuderia Ferrari's 70 years of racing, the SF70H showcases the team's innovation throughout its design. A lengthened nose and arrow-shaped front wing are a consequence of the regulations, as are the fin on the engine cover, and aero appendages ahead of the air intakes on the side pods. Behind the driver the roll-hoop, which incorporates the engine air intake, was completely… more |