Chris Smith
Reviews By Author
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Nieuport Ni-11 Bebe "Italian Aces"Published:
When the Nieuport 11 arrived at the front in 1916, it signaled the end of the Fokker Eindecker’s dominance. This was mainly due to the overwhelming numbers of Ni 11 produced. The Italians built these aircraft under license and a number of Italian pilots became aces in them. This boxing provides decals for three; Francesco Baracca (34 victories), Fulco Ruffo di Calabria (20 victories), and Alvaro Leonardi (8 victories). The kit is packaged in an end-open box with artwork depicting Leonardi’s Nieuport. A color finishing guide on the back of the box gives paint color references and decal placement. The kit parts are molded in gray plastic with a single sheet instruction guide and a small decal sheet. Surface details are a bit heavy for the scale, especially the fabric effect on the… more |
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Book Review: The North American P-51 "Early Mustang"Published:
I’ve always been a fan of the early Allison powered Mustangs so it’s nice to see publishers filling the gap for historians and modelers alike. This publication goes even farther by including the merlin powered B and C models. This is a second edition of a book first printed in 2013. It is broken down into three sections, Airframe, Miniatures and Appendices. Under the airframe banner there is a history of the prototypes, test, and service aircraft including the British versions as is only fitting for a book published there. All the Allison powered versions are covered including a list of the units that flew the aircraft. Especially helpful are side profiles though-out the chapters that outline the differences in specific airframes. Color profiles and photos support the… more |
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Cessna O-2 Skymaster Instrument PanelPublished:
As I get older, I’m appreciating things that make model building easier on the eyes. Instrument panels are a real challenge even when they come with a decal or in the case of the ICM O-2 kit, separate decals for each instrument on the panel. Thankfully, Yahu models offer this set to upgrade a highly visible area of the kit. This set is comprised of two-color photo-etch parts covering the instrument panel/sub-panel and fuse panel for the left fuselage half. Unlike some color photo-etch panels with dots on a circle, these look like actual instruments. They are built up in layers that allow the instruments to slightly recess and have a semi-gloss sheen for a glass-like finish over the dials. Installation is easy. Remove any raised details from the kit parts-except the… more |
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P-51D-5 "361ST FG"Published:
Another P-51 Mustang joins the continuing parade of new releases of this subject. This one from KP is advertised as a “new tool” for 2024 on the box top. I’ve had my share of challenges building KP kits, so I went into this build with high hopes. They get high marks for presentation. The kit comes in an end open box with beautiful artwork on the front and full color finishing guide on the back for all the options on the decal sheet. You get three choices, all from the 361st FG. Two grey frames and one clear hold the parts. The surface detail is up to current standard and the canopy is seamless and clear. There are two seat and exhaust options as well as a rearview mirror. Ailerons, flaps and the rudder are separate parts, but the landing gear bay is old school molded… more |
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'71 Pontiac FirebirdPublished:
This is a reissue of the Monogram original from the 1980s. Done in an odd 1/32 scale, this kit is a trip back in time for me because I didn’t build car models back then. The kit is very basic by today’s standards but there are a few areas where the detail is quite good. I found the interior had very good texture on the seats and especially the dash. Trans Ams had a brush rotary finish in metal and the texture molded on the kit part looks convincing once painted. I did use some plastic card stock to fill the front seat backs since they come hollowed out. Chassis detail is acceptable for the scale, but the engine is too small for the engine bay. The “Shaker Hood” sits too low if installed per the directions, so I glued it to the bottom of the hood. The only other part I wrestled… more |
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Mig-15UTI "Finnish Air Force"Published:
When I saw this kit on the review list, I decided to build it as a preview of the “Dual Combo” of single seat MiGs by Eduard I have in my stash. All I can say is I can’t wait to start them now! This issue from Platz provides parts for one two-seat MiG 15 UTI version of this famous little fighter. Included are markings for the Finnish AF as advertised on the box but also two Polish AF examples. The parts are typical Eduard with excellent surface detail perfectly delicate for this scale. Colors are given for Mr. Color, Aqueous and Tamiya paint lines. A masking set is also included for canopies, back seat blast shield and windows under the fuselage. The decals are printed by Rocketeer Decal and are up to the standard of the rest of the kit. Assembly is simple and quick. The cockpit… more |
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Model A Standard Phaeton Soft Top (1930s) with US Cars of the 1930s-1940s Paint SetPublished:
ICM continues to bring us modern tooled kits of subject’s modelers really want. Produced from 1927 to 1932, the Ford Model A followed up on the success of the model T. Several body styles were mounted on a chassis powered by a four-cylinder 201 cubic inch engine making 40hp. Coupled with a three-speed manual transmission, the Model A was capable of speeds up to 65mph. Almost five million Models were sold in the US when production ended in 1932. In what I hope will be the first of many versions, ICM has given us a two row Phaeton convertible. The parts are molded in ICMs standard soft grey plastic, and the quality of the engineering is superb. Everything is scale thin and will requires very careful removal from the runners. If you manage to get those parts off with out damaging… more |
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Dassault Mirage F1, Warpaint Series No. 142Published:
This is the latest release in the Warpaint series of aircraft books from Guideline Publishers. The format follows the other titles in this series and includes 156 pages of color and B/W photos, color side views and line drawings in 1/72 scale. Although this volume is dominated by pictures, there is a history of the F-1s development and operational history of all the operators who used this aircraft. The book is current including a description of an F-1 flying for Draken International that crashed earlier this year right here in Las Vegas. As a modeling reference, this book has a lot to offer. Between the photographs and color side views, you can piece together just about any paint scheme for any country that used it. There are line drawings in 1/72 scale showing most of the… more |
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Extra EA 330L (Four-blade Prop)Published:
This is a reissue of the Brengun Extra 300L with new markings and sporting a four-bladed prop. Introduced in 1988, Walter Extras' creation is a mainstay in the aerobatic training and competition world. Regular readers of this site will recognize this subject had been done before by me a few years ago (see Extra 300L/330LC published May 3, 2022). This time around I was provided the base kit. Brengun does make a PE set, vacuform canopy, and canopy masks for this kit. There are separate reviews for each on this site. This kit consists of a single sprue molded in grey plastic. There are no locating pins or tabs as this is a short-run injection kit. An injected canopy is included as well as a decal sheet with three options on it. Two of those versions will require some masking and… more |
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3D Printed "Finishing" Caddy w/ Micro Sol/Set SpotsPublished:
If you use the Micro Set/Sol combination for decal work like I have for years then you have (if you're honest), tipped the small round bottles they come in. While there are some other holders out there, Charles Plastic Models has given us a truly useful combination holder. Not only are there inserts for the Micro decal solutions, but this product also includes a port for the round Solvaset bottle and two bays for the square decal set bottles from Tamiya or Mr. Hobby. Several panel liner and weather solutions also come in the same size square bottles. Behind these are openings for brushes, tools, and anything else you use for decals and liners. Each of the openings is sized to allow easy insertion of the bottles and the bottom of the holder is rough textured to keep it from… more |