Bill O'Malley
Reviews By Author
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Show Rod Model Kits PreviewPublished: March 3, 2015 This excellent book is a showcase of show rod model kits from the perspective of a collector rather than a model builder. The book is an excellent read and includes hundreds of photos of classic show rod kits. The first chapter is An illustrated History of Show Rod Modeling. The section describes how in the 1960s scale hot rod models begin to replace factory cars and older… more |
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Model Miniatures in Review, No. 62Published: February 13, 2015 Military Miniatures In Review (MMIR) is a bi-monthly publication by The Ampersand Group of armor and other military vehicles. Each issue typically contains new product reviews and detailing articles, as well as regular monthly features. The magazine is 8.5 x 11 and includes 80 pages printed on a high-quality gloss paper. MMIR is a high quality publication and my favorite modeling magazine.… more |
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Zombie Hunter - Road to FreedomPublished: February 11, 2015 Master Box has ventured into the post-apocalyptic world with Zombie Hunter – Road to Freedom. Dick M. was glad to get rid of this kit as it frightened the rest of the kits in his stash. Scared the bejeebers out of my mail lady when she dropped it off and the zombies came hissing and scratching out of the box. The kit is described as part of the Zombieland Series, so there may be more undead… more |
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U.S. Motor Grader - Part 1Published: February 5, 2015 This is a first look ‘In the Box’ review of PlusModel’s new U.S. Grader resin kit. A subsequent review will review the detailed assembly of the kit. The kit appears to be a very complete, nicely detailed, high quality kit of a unique vehicle from WWII. The U.S. Grader follows PlusModel’s excellent dozer models. The kit comes in a sturdy 10.5 x 7.5 x 2.5" deep corrugated cardboard box.… more |
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57 Chevy Funny CarPublished: January 18, 2015 This is a very nice kit. Simple enough to be the first ‘glued’ kit for someone moving up from snap-kits, but also a well-made kit that more experienced modelers can build into a great scale model. The kit’s one-piece body and one-piece frame are both very nicely molded parts. Tom “Mongoose” McEwen is a drag racer best known for is legendary races against Don “The Snake” Prudhomme.… more |
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60-Spoke Wire WheelsPublished: January 14, 2015 3D Model Parts is a new U.S. based company that uses 3D printing technology to produce resin ship, automobile, aircraft, and armor detailing accessories. 3D states their printing process produces details with greater precision than either injection molding or resin casting. This set of 1/25 scale wheels certainly lives up to that claim! The spokes have amazingly fine detail, and the… more |
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W.W.II British Airborne Weapon & Equipment SetPublished: January 6, 2015 This is a very comprehensive accessory set for British WWII Airborne vehicles or dioramas. The parts are well molded, and have very good detail. There are many very small parts that will require care to assemble, but will result in nice accessories. The kit includes a Welbike that can be assembled unfolded or folded for transport, a Welbike container that can be either open or closed,… more |
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US Diamond T 969A WreckerPublished: December 23, 2014 This is a complicated kit to assemble and requires adjusting and fitting lots of parts. This is not a kit that will fall together out of the box on a Sunday afternoon, but approached as a challenging craftsman type kit, experienced modelers will produce an excellent model. Diamond T 969 was a vehicle recovery truck based on a 4 ton 6X6 chassis, powered with a Hercules RXC six-cylinder… more |
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Assortment Shutters, Type 1Published: November 27, 2014 These shutters make a very nice diorama accessory and are a nice addition to building windows. The package includes 10 cast resin parts, 2 pairs each of 5 deferent shutter styles. The styles include two pairs of louvered wood shutters, two pairs of metal shutters, and two pairs each of 3 different wood style shutters. Each set of shutters includes two shutters molded in the closed… more |
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Precolored Roof TilesPublished: November 27, 2014 The kit includes approximately 325 ceramic tiles prefinished with a light terra-cotta color. The color of the roof tiles is nicely mottled and would be ideally suited for Southern Europe or Mediterranean buildings. The tiles in this sample are much lighter than the illustration on the package. There are 3 shapes to the tile - the typical field tile, a shorter field tile, and a shape… more |