Bob LaBouy
Reviews By Author
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco NOGSPublished:
Background and Historical NotesFrom The Kit Manufacturer’s Notes:
|
|
Austin Armoured Car 3rd Series: German, Austro-Hungarian, Finnish Service Interior KitPublished:
Fit and FinishThis kit’s fit overall kit is very good to excellent. The surface details are outstanding and compare favorably with what photographs and line drawings show. This model, like so many of the new releases from MiniArt, just look like the real vehicles themselves. Construction NotesThe kit is moulded in light grey plastic with only two large plastic sprue trees. There are few if any aspects of this build which posed any problems—it goes together in a basic pattern, beginning with the engine, suspension and drive assemblies. Believe me, the 26 pages of kit instructions provide you with a deal of in depth instructions broken down in multiple steps and 71 assembly panels. For the most part each of construction notes and steps are well thought out,… more |
|
USMC Tank Markings in the PacificPublished:
Publisher’s NotesThe markings on tanks of the United States Marine Corps during World War II are so varied that some have concluded they were meaningless, even anarchic. Official documents offer little insight, but a careful study of period photographs and film, cross-referenced with combat reports and veteran accounts, reveals the different systems of markings that combat units used to identify their vehicles. These markings varied between units, and from one campaign to the next, but were well-thought-out and designed to be practical and easy for tankers to interpret. In addition to tactical markings, most tankers were given names by their crews, and these were added to the tank’s markings. Personifying the tank often boosted crew morale and led to even more careful… more |
|
DShKM with Support/TripodPublished:
Introductory and Historical BackgroundICM’s Notes
|
|
"Dragon Teeth" Anti-tank ObstaclesPublished:
Concrete anti-tank obstacles, also known as ‘Dragon’s Teeth’, were first used during World War II. They are believed to have been invented in Finland as a means of defense against the armored vehicles of the Red Army. The purpose of these obstacles was not only to stop tanks and other armored vehicles but also to direct their movement into areas where they could be targeted by fire. These types of obstacles were widely used by all participants in the conflict, including neutral countries. For example, Switzerland also used similar obstacles, referring to them as Toblerone fortifications, due to their resemblance to the shape of the famous chocolate bars. ‘Dragon’s Teeth’ are still used today as engineering obstacles of a fortification type. Typically, they are made of concrete… more |
|
MH-60L Black Hawk & Black Hawk US Helicopters Paint SetPublished:
Historical & Reference NotesFrom ICM's own description:
|