Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
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Grumman F4F-4 Photoetched AccessoriesPublished:
This photoetched sheet provides a lot of detailed parts for the interior of the Airfix F4F-4 Wildcat kit. A total of 18 parts are provided on a sheet measuring about 2 inches by 1 ½ inches, which should tell you that some of the parts are extremely small. An instrument panel, metal pilot’s seat, and side panel details are included. In addition, some details are provided for the aircraft’s firewall, which can be seen behind the landing gear structure. There is a lot included here, and these will add to the detail if you are trying to super-detail the cockpit. Very detailed instructions are provided, which tell what parts to remove and replace with the PE parts. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. RecommendationsThis set is highly recommended for adding… more |
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Grumman F4F-4 Photoetched Cockpit Accessories and FlapsPublished:
This is a much more extensive set of PE details for the Airfix F4F-4 kit, and actually includes both the larger sheet and the smaller #SS538 PE sheet which has the cockpit details. In addition, the much larger PE sheet provides parts to construct more detailed wings, including flaps and sections of the folded wings. Some of the inner details for the wings in the folded position are provided, and they look excellent. Also, a new firewall is provided, and some details for it. A set of bomb racks and shackles is also on the sheet. The parts are relatively easy to prepare for assembly, but some careful trimming is required, and I would suggest using some pretty sophisticated magnification equipment, as these parts are pretty small and assembly is tedious. If you want to display your model… more |
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Grumman F4F-4 WildcatPublished:
HistoryThe Grumman F4F-4 “Wildcat” was the standard carrier fighter used by the United States Navy and Marine Corps at the beginning of World War II. It differed from the earlier F4F-3 by the addition of folding wings and extra armament. Although the F4F-4 could not outclimb or outmaneuver its chief antagonist, the Mitsubishi A6M-2 Zero, superior tactics and pilot skill usually tipped the balance in favor of the F4F, and eventually, the F4F was replaced by the superior F6F “Hellcat” and the F4U “Corsair”. The Zero, on the other hand, was only slightly modified during the course of its career, and that, along with the larger number of American fighters produced, helped the U.S. Navy’s efforts to defeat the Japanese. The operational history of the F4F is well known, and any… more |
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Fw 190A Wheels LatePublished:
This set of one piece wheels replaces the more complicated 3 piece units provided in the kit. They are finely molded in resin, and can be easily trimmed off of the sprues. A mask set is also included, making it possible to mask either the tires or the hubs. Detailed instructions are also provided. Recommended. My thanks to Eduard for the opportunity to review this set. |
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Fw 190A-8 MG 131 MountPublished:
This resin and PE set provides the rear part of the radial engine, firewall, MG-131 machine guns, gun breech cover with detail inside and out, 2 ammunition containers, one engine mount, one engine mounting bracket, one cylindrical engine part of unknown function, and one PE sheet containing numerous detail parts for this unit. The instructions are very detailed and clear on how the whole thing is supposed to go together. I ran into some problems trying to assemble this unit, and found that it did not really fit inside the forward section of the fuselage. The kit provides the front of the engine, and this needs to be glued inside the fuselage half. The resin engine portion goes right behind it, followed by the engine mount and then the firewall and machine gun mounts. The… more |
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FW-190A-8 Cockpit Interior Detail SetPublished:
This resin and PE set includes the major cockpit interior, side panels, rear cockpit deck, 2 forward instrument panel covers for mounting the gunsight, rear headrest, two piece instrument panels, and a control stick. The PE sheet provides painted instrument panels, seat belts, rudder pedals, and misc. parts. Clear film for the gunsight is also included. Instructions are complete and highly detailed, providing location and color information. This has more detail than the one provided in the kit, and makes a useful addition to this kit. Some trimming inside the fuselage is required, but this is clearly explained in the instructions. Recommended. My thanks go to Eduard for the chance to review this wonderful set. |
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FW-190A Exhaust StacksPublished:
This kit provides three resin exhaust stack units for the FW-190A-8 kit. These snap into place just like the ones provided in the kit, and the only difference is that the Brassin units are drilled out, appearing to be exhaust stacks rather than solid tubes. Highly recommended. My thanks to Eduard for the review set. |
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Focke Wulf FW-190A-8Published:
HistoryThe Focke Wulf FW-190 series of fighters served as one of the two major single engine fighters used by the Luftwaffe during World War II. Introduced after the Messerschmitt Bf-109 fighter, the FW-190A powered by a radial engine was in many ways a better fighter, although it was inferior in performance to the Messerschmitt at high altitudes, a disadvantage solved by the introduction of the Jumo powered FW-190D later in the war. The radial engine FW-190 became standard not only in fighter units, but also in close support units, especially on the Eastern Front. It was more heavily armed and armored, and its wide track undercarriage made it easier to fly, cutting the accident rate dramatically, compared to the Bf-109. The more heavily armed FW-190A-8 and FW-190F-8… more |
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Avia B. 534 IV. SeriePublished:
HistoryThe Avia B.534 was one of the classic biplane fighters of the 1930’s, and was used by several European air forces almost until the end of World War II. I did a review of Eduard’s kit of this aircraft in May, 2015, so for a detailed account of its service, I refer you to the IPMS review site. The aircraft appeared in four basic versions, differing in cockpit arrangement, armament, wheel covers, and propeller. There are many references available on this aircraft, including the old Profile #152, and most sources are available on line. InstructionThe instructions are an improvement over the originals provided in the “Weekend Edition” and include much more color information, including “aqueous” in addition to Mr. Color. Names of the colors are also… more |
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MiG 15 UTI AccessoriesPublished:
The Products
Eduard Brassin Resin Cockpit Interior For MiG 15 UTIThis kit contains 13 resin-cast interior parts plus one small PE sheet for the Eduard MiG 15 UTI jet trainer kit. Included are a cockpit floor, two seat mounts, two ejector seats, one rear canopy part, one front instrument panel, two control sticks, two cockpit side panels, one clear plastic forward gunsight, and a PE sheet containing such things as seat belts, rudder pedals, and other very small details. The detailing of these components is excellently done, and very complete painting instructions are included. Certainly, if you use this set,… more |