Bob LaBouy
Reviews By Author
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USN/USMC F-4B/J VMFA-451/115/VF-96 Phantom Collection #4Published:
Background and Historical NotesFrom DXM Hobby Studio’s Decal NotesThese decal sheets provide some very colorful markings for five of the U.S. Navy’s F-1B/J Phantom squadrons, covering markings from the years 1968 – 1976. There is one a/c from VMFA-115 ‘Silver Eagles’ aboard the USS Forrestal in 1981, two a/c from squadron VMFA-451 ‘Warlords’ and two a/c from VF-96 ‘Fighting Falcons’. This 1/48th scale sheet is intended for use with either the Academy, Hasegawa, Italeri, Revell, Tamiya or Zoukei Mura kits. That allows you to complete either an F-4B or F-4J from one of six alternate kits. As you first enter the DXM website, you learn several items of interest, including just how to navigate their large catalog of decal sheets (in… more |
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USN F-14B Tomcat VF-103 Jolly Rogers '00-'04 Special AlbumPublished:
Background and Historical NotesFrom DXM Hobby Studio’s Decal Notes These decal sheets provide some very colorful markings for eight of the U.S. Navy’s F-14B Tomcat squadrons, covering markings from the years 2001 – 2004. These are all from VF-103 ‘Jolly Rogers’ squadron, and all display either high visibility or low vis aircraft flying NAS Oceana. This 1/48th scale sheet is intended for use with either the Hasegawa, Great Wall or Hobby Boss kits. As you first enter the DXM website, you learn several items of interest, including just how to navigate their large catalog of decal sheets (in several possible scales) which is not the simplest to navigate through, a straightforward company history (a Taiwan based ‘group of model addiction guys’), their… more |
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EA-18G Growler CAG BirdPublished:
From DXM Hobby’s Decal Manufacturer’s NotesThese decal sheets provide some very colorful markings for four of the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Prowler squadrons. These include (a) VAQ-138 Yellowjackets CAG Bird 2024, (a) VAQ-138 Yellowjackets CAG Bird 2024, (b) VAQ-139 Cougars CAG Bird 2023, (c) VAQ-140 Patriots CAG Bird 2024, and (d) VAQ-131 Lancers CAG Bird 2024. This 1/48th scale sheet is intended for use with either the Hasegawa, Meng, or Italeri kits. As you first enter the DXM website, you learn several items of interest, including just how to navigate their large catalog of decal sheets (in several possible scales) which is not the simplest to navigate through, a straightforward company history (a Taiwan based ‘group of model addiction guys’), their full… more |
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Studebaker US6-U3 in German ServicePublished:
Background and Historical NotesManufacturer’s Product Description
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JLTF (1) – M1278 US MarinesPublished:
From AOA Decal Manufacturer’s Notes14 options for JLTVs in US service:
Background and Historical NotesAs one of the military’s most important decisions, it put out a bid announcement for a replacement for its basic utility vehicle, what was to be called the ‘Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.’ Its purpose was to provide a replacement for the Humvee, and to incorporate all the commonly threats… more |
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AGM-130C Missiles (2 pcs) (BLU-109 Warhead) with AN/AXQ-14 Data Link PodPublished:
Background About ResKitResKit products are designed and manufactured in Kyiv, Ukraine. Founded in 2015, the company produces high-quality, detailed resin aftermarket parts, engines, wheels, and conversion kits for scale model aircraft, armor, and dioramas. Despite the ongoing war, they continue to produce and ship their products from Ukraine. Historcal NotesThere is a considerable amount of information regarding this system, and I feel some place for further research is needed. I recommend using Wikipedia and searching for “AGM-130C” for a wealth of information. Product DescriptionI should mention that there is another resin option by another manufacturer for this same weapon set, but it is not nearly as detailed or precise, which is quickly… more |
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AN/AVQ-26A Pave Tack Pod With Pilon for F-4 Phantom IIPublished:
Background About ResKitResKit products are designed and manufactured in Kyiv, Ukraine. Founded in 2015, the company produces high-quality, detailed resin aftermarket parts, engines, wheels, and conversion kits for scale model aircraft, armor, and dioramas. Despite the ongoing war, they continue to produce and ship their products from Ukraine. Historical NotesThere is a considerable amount of information regarding these two systems, and I feel some place for further research is needed. I would recommend searching Wikipedia for “Pave Tack”, as this provides a wealth of information. Product DescriptionWith this Ford Aerospace AN/AVQ-26A Pave Tack Pod, you will find a beautifully engineered kit with a four-page color instruction sheet, four 3D printed… more |
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A-4M Skyhawk Landing GearPublished:
Background NotesThis is a white-metal replacement for the Magic Factory A-4M Skyhawk kit and provides all the small details to match those of the kit’s parts, as well as those from the plastic kit itself. While the Magic Factory’s A-4M kit is a great kit in itself, this aftermarket kit provides two aspects which will aid in completion of the base kit: (1) all of the small details are faithfully replicated in white metal (including expansion marks, collet rings, attachment points for both the rear and front wheels and gear retraction bar) and (2) the added weight provided by the white metal itself adds not only to the strength of the landing gear but more importantly the sheer weight itself of the metal gear parts. Initial Impressions of the SAC A-4M Conversion… more |
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USMC M1A1 FEP Abrams with Combat Dozer Blade (Workable Track Links)Published:
Historical and Reference NotesThere are any number of articles about the Abrams tanks, as it was used widely in the Gulf wars and is still being refitted and continually upgraded in the US Army and the US Marine Corps (though the USMC has now traded theirs and discontinued their use of tanks). It was a significant improvement to the M60 series tanks which it replaced This is the culmination of years of research and started in the early 90’s to build over 4600 Chobham armored Abrams tanks (with approximately half of them now in storage). These heavy tanks have almost all been upgraded in several packages each of which have some unique design qualities (including the M1A1, M1A2 SEPv2, and the most advanced M1A2 SEPv3). There are also a total 10,000 Abrams that have been produced… more |
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North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco NOGSPublished:
Background and Historical NotesFrom The Kit Manufacturer’s Notes:
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