Ben Morton
Reviews By Author
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GBU-43/B MOABPublished:
The website Deagel.com describes the MOAB as follows: the GBU-43/B, also known as Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) or Mother Of All Bombs, is a 20,000-pound class bomb designed to hit large areas of enemy territory to achieve a terrifying psychological impact. It uses a GPS-based navigation system and a single blast-type warhead. The yield of this weapon is equivalent to 11-tons of TNT, obliterating an area of 200-250 meters radius. The MOAB bomb was developed to be available for the Iraq campaign in 2003 (Operation Iraqi Freedom), but it was not deployed. It has been designed to be dropped by an MC-130 Combat Talon aircraft. The final developmental test was carried out on March 11, 2003. It was employed for the first time by the US Air… more |
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Cardboard Boxes (Generic/Electronic Devices/ Beer)Published:
Product/Stock Numbers for each set:
Direct links for all three sets: Kit ReviewMatho Models was established in 2014 and is a… more |
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Jaguar XJR-9 IMSA (Daytona Type) Limited EditionPublished:
From Hasegawa's website: Designed specifically for taking the racing world by storm, the XJR-9 was the eighties Jaguar that finally cracked the iron grip Porsche had on the 24 Hours of Le Mans and brought Jaguar its first Le Mans win since 1957. In America, the type also brought home the win at the 24 Hours of Daytona and took third in the overall Constructor's Championship. This limited edition kit features markings for three IMSA-GTP class Daytona Sunbank 24 hours racers: Car No. 60 (the winner), Car No. 61, and Car No. 66 (third place). Hasegawa originally released this kit in 1989, shortly after Jaguar had won at Daytona the previous year. This limited edition version is the same kit with new box art. (Limited Edition usually means that this will be the last… more |
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Kfir C2/C7Published:
Avantgarde Model Kits (AMK) of Macau has been manufacturing some wonderfully detailed and unique aircraft models since 2003. The level of detail and finesse in their moldings is on par with those of Hasegawa and WingNut Wings kits. They have released several 1/48th scale aircraft models including the MiG-31, the Fouga CM 170 Magister, and a IAI Kfir C2/C7. One of their recent offerings, and subject of this missive, is a 1/72nd scale version of the IAI Kfir C2/C7. The IAI Kfir is an is an Israeli-built all-weather, multirole combat aircraft based on a modified French Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-built version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine. The Kfir has been deployed by the IAI, Ecuadorian, and Columbian governments.… more |
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FUG-202 Lichtenstein Aircraft Radar AntennasPublished:
According to an on-line dictionary, fug is a warm, stuffy, or smoky atmosphere in a room. If you capitalize certain letters you get FuG, which is an abbreviation for Funk-Gerät radio set. That radio set was part of the Lichtenstein radar (that) was among the earliest airborne radars available to the Luftwaffe in World War II and the first one used exclusively for air interception. Developed by Telefunken, it was available in at least four major revisions, called FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C, FuG 212 Lichtenstein C-1, FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 and the very rarely used FuG 228 Lichtenstein SN-3. The Lichtenstein series remained the only widely deployed airborne interception radar used by the Germans on their night fighters during the war — the competing FuG 216 through 218… more |
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World War One Aircraft DetailsPublished:
Brengun has come to the modelers rescue, once again. This time with a set of photo-etched details for all of those that enjoy building 1/72nd scale World War One aircraft. If you are one of those folk then you already know that the finer details are often missing from the manufacturer’s kit. Gun sights, control horns, propeller details, and seats belts can be substandard or, more frequently, have just been omitted by kit manufacturers.. Brengun's World War One detail set includes:
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M9 ACE Photo-etch SetPublished:
The M9 Armored Combat Earthmover (ACE) is a highly mobile armored tracked vehicle that provides combat engineer support to front-line forces. Fielded by the United States Army, its tasks include eliminating enemy obstacles, maintenance and repair of roads and supply routes, and construction of fighting positions. (Wikipedia) Takom released a 1/35th scale model of this vehicle in 2015. That kit has been reviewed elsewhere and one of the minor shortcomings of that kit (and there are few) owes more to the limitations of injection molded styrene than to anything else. The oversized and out of scale headlight covers being one of those items that is first to come to mind. But like the proverbial white knight, Hauler has come to the rescue. One of their latest offerings is a… more |
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MiG-21 Fishbed Landing GearPublished:
Many already know that Scale Aircraft Conversions has been pumping out replacement, white metal landing gear sets for some few years now. I believe that this endeavor (Scale Aircraft Conversions) began as a way to provide you, dear modeler, with a sturdier option than what was being supplied by the kit manufacturer. While kit supplied landing gear and struts may have been to scale they were sometimes unable to handle the actually weight of the completed model. To help solve that issue, Scale Aircraft Conversions has an extensive line of landing gear sets for an extensive number of kits. Adding to that line is a new one designed for the Eduard's series of MiG-21's in 1/144th scale. Scale Aircraft Conversions includes two complete sets of landing gear with this offering. Which is… more |
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Photoetched Engraved Plates for AFV'sPublished:
Hauler has been busy of late with a pile of kits and accessory items. Among the accessory items are some 1/72nd scale engraved plates. The plates come in a variety of types that represent those used by the various combatants of WWII as well as some plates representative of those employed by more modern armies, notable the United States. Among the offerings are:
Each plate measures 35mm x 65mm and you get one plate per package. As you can tell from the photos the various patterns are reproduced, in scale, and will go a long way toward giving your latest project the proper look. Here's direct links to each… more |
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The 'Broomhandle' MauserPublished:
Osprey Publishing has previously released books on two iconic side arms: The Colt 1911 Pistol and The Webley Service Revolver. What has been missing from the history of pistols, until now, was one weapon that was developed and deployed in the late 1890's, namely the Feederle Pistol from Mauser. Otherwise known as the 'Broomhandle' Mauser. While this pistol was manufactured and sold by Mauser and is often attributed to them, the design and development was actually done by brothers Fidel, Friedrich, and Josef Feederle. The Feederle brothers worked for Paul Mauser and, in his defense, it was somewhat standard operating procedure for a company to take credit for any design/development work done by the namesakes employees. [Fun Fact: Paul Mauser once forbade Fidel… more |