Charles Landrum
Reviews By Author
|
Range Finder and Binocular Telescope SetPublished:
This is the latest detail set from Finemolds. It is part of their Nano Dread 350 series (okay I have no idea why it is called “Nano Dread”). This detail set provides replacement bridge equipment for Imperial Japanese Navy warships, even though the box does not say that. What is noteworthy of Finemolds is that their after market detail sets are injection molded styrene; there is no multi-media included. What is surprising, since this is my first look at a Finemold molding, is how petite and detailed the injection details are! In the box are four sprues of details; two each of Sprue A and Sprue B. Sprue A contains:
… more |
|
Mig-23 Flogger B Air ScoopsPublished:
Like most Soviet aircraft of their era, the Mig-23 and Mig-27 have dorsal air scoops over the engine compartment to provide auxiliary cooling. These are large scoops and are quite noticeable on the real plane. The only 1/48 scale kit of these aircraft is the 1980's era Italeri (ex-ESCI) kit, and ESCI broke out from most of the kits of the era and molded the scoops open. While this is better than many kits, the opening is simplistic, it is molded in two halves so there is a seam to clean up, and the scoop is not quite right in shape. Quickboost again steps in with another simple aftermarket set to correct these deficiencies. Rendered in resin are two crisply cast and highly detailed replacement scoops. The shape and detail is superb; it even captures the splitter plate inside!… more |
|
F-105D CockpitPublished:
A welcome release from Aires is a resin cockpit for the 1/48 Monogram F-105 which provides and alternative in resin and PE over the other cockpits on the market. Even with advent of the Hobbyboss kit, many the Monogram/Revell F-105 still a nice alternative and is in some ways more accurate. So it is nice to see more aftermarket sets coming out for this kit. While the kit plastic is nice, this detail set is far nicer and will really give the cockpit a more prototypical look As is typical of Aires cockpits, this is a multimedia set. With 20 resin parts (by my count), it is crisply molded in the now typical durable grey resin Aires employs. The resin is flawless and the accompanying PE fret is superbly detailed with double relief etching. Also included is a film sheet for the back… more |
|
WWII USN Ladders and GangplanksPublished:
I was intrigued by the title of this PE set when I was notified by John Noack of its availability and was very excited when it arrived. You would think that a set titled “WWII USN Accommodation Ladders and Gangplanks” would not stir the imagination, after all accommodation ladders are available in other sets. But I have never seen gangplanks offered anywhere. It is a subject often neglected by PE manufacturers – “how do you get on and off a ship.” Well, this PE set is the answer. There is a lot of detail and options packed into this small set:
|
|
USN Super Carrier DecalsPublished:
I would like to thank Loren Perry for this review sample and the decal photo. Until recently, ship modelers have had limited options for aftermarket decals. With the release of so many new ship kits, the demand for additional decal options has grown. While most manufacturers have focused on the etched-brass market, Gold Medal Models - one of the decal torch bearers as well as a PE manufacturer - has answered the call and released a decal sheet that covers the US Navy super carriers from CV(A)-59 on up. Not only will this sheet work with the new Trumpeter 1/700 NIMITZ Class, but also the classic Revell CVAN-65 ENTERPRISE, the venerable Monogram KITTYHAWK Class CV(A)s, the Italeri CV and CVN models and the Fujimi CV kits as well. This is a versatile sheet that fills in… more |
|
The 5-Speed Hold & Fold WorkstationPublished:
I would like to thank Julie Lockwood for this review sample. I would consider myself to be very experienced working with photo etched parts, having added them to armor, aircraft and ship models. In fact I love the challenge of working with the media. Up until now, however, I have roughed it, being content working the metal with a few pairs of pliers, scrap dowel, a steel rule, a no. 11 knife blade and a scrap piece of acrylic. In fact, I have turned up my nose at the fancy PE folding tools on the market. So Julie Lockwood of Kalama Precision Machine may not have realized that she was throwing down a challenge when she asked me to review some of their latest PE working tools. Suddenly, I was in the lion's den … alone. The Small Shop makes a slew of tools for working PE.… more |