Chris Smith
Reviews By Author
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AN/ALE 39/47 Chaff/Flare DispensersPublished:
Bregun has provided a better option for the flare dispensers that are either blanked off or poorly represented on most kits in this scale. The AN/ALE 39/47 dispenser system is used on the F-16, F-18 as well as some helicopters and transports. The real system can accommodate mixed decoys in the same pack. These are programable, to release in predetermined or automatic order. Brengun duplicates the canister boxes in resin and the frame of the mounting boxes in PE. The canisters are molded fully loaded with 30 decoys. Installation consists of opening a 4x9mm hole for the resin parts. The PE frames fit precisely over the canisters. The resin is typical of Brengun meaning it's easy to work with. The cut outs need to be very precise since the PE frames won’t cover any overcut. While not an… more |
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We Were Never There, Volume 2: CIA U-2 Asia and Worldwide Operations 1957-1974Published:
In this volume, Kevin Wright picks up where we left off in Volume one (CIA U-2 Operations over Europe, the USSR and the Middle East, 1956-1960). You can read that review on this website. After the shootdown and public humiliation of the United States, western European allies became reluctant to continue supporting U-2 operations. In response the CIA turned its attention to the other emerging super power, China. Much like they had enlisted and trained British pilots the CIA now began a campaign to prepare Taiwanese aircrew to operate the U-2. The initial operations focused on determining if the Chinese were staging military forces to invade their Island. Once it was determined that the threat wasn’t immediate, deeper overflights with a strategic purpose of tracking Chinas nuclear… more |
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Landing Gear for the Airfix Bristol BeaufortPublished:
This metal landing gear set from SAC replaces the gear parts and pitot mast in the new tool Airfix Bristol Beaufort kit. Like its cousins from Bristol, the Blenheim and Beaufighter, the Beaufort has a multipart, complex main gear structure. Airfix has done a good job reproducing this in plastic. The SAC parts are direct copies of those. I compared the assembly of the plastic parts against the white metal SAC pieces. I found the plastic parts had an advantage. Once glue was applied and the parts mated with each other, the plastic glue joint had some flexibility to assist fitting that super glued metal parts didn’t. I got the metal parts to fit but it took a lot longer. It was also difficult to keep the SAC parts straight as even the slightest pressure bent them. In conclusion, I… more |
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AGM-114 Hellfire MissilePublished:
The Hellfire AGM (Air to Ground Missile) 114 was introduced in 1984. It was most associated with deployment on the Apache attack helicopter but has since been adapted for use from other aerial platforms including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as well as ships and ground vehicles. Guided by laser or radar, this 100lb missile can travel a little over two miles and has proven to be highly effective at hitting its targets. Hauler has produced a nice set here in resin and photo etch that includes two launch rails and eight AGM-114s. The launch rails build up from nine resin parts and four PE levers. Detail is excellent, especially the cable conduits and mounting lugs. The rails are cast to accept the missiles just like the real thing. Casting tags are continuous on the rails so you have… more |
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Tactical Reconnaissance in the Cold War (1945 to Korea, Cuba, Vietnam & The Iron Curtain)Published:
Dangerous times followed the end of WWII. In quick succession, the emerging superpowers not only armed themselves with nuclear weapons but showed an overt willingness to use them. The spread of communism into the Eastern European bloc countries and the Asian continent created a need for information so the United States and her allies could make informed decisions about the enemy's intentions. The exploits of the U-2 and SR-71/A-12 pilots who braved overflying hostile territory at high altitude in order to get a strategic, big picture of our enemies have been well documented. What we don’t hear a lot about are the efforts of those tasked with collecting localized intelligence for use on a more immediate time scale. Things as simple as weather conditions to the location and strength of… more |
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Sabre F.4 Landing GearPublished:
This set from SAC is a drop-in replacement for the relatively new Airfix Sabre kit. You get two main gear legs and a nose gear strut with a separate retraction arm. Casting quality is excellent and these parts won't require any more effort than kit parts to install. Recommended for those who want added strength and ability to polish real metal for those shiny oleos. Thank you to SAC for the sample package and IPMS for sending them to me. |
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Piaggio Avanti, Hammerhead Landing GearPublished:
Everything about the Avanti defies conventional logic in aircraft design. The main wing is set far back on the fuselage and a canard is mounted on the nose. The twin turboprop engines are mounted on the rear of the wings and drive the propellers in a pusher configuration. It's easy to recognize in the air long before you see it due to the distinctive sound of its engine/ propeller combination. Like everything else on this aircraft, the main landing gear is a complex group of parts that accommodate its retraction into the fuselage. SAC has reproduced the kit parts in white metal. For the main gear, which is made up of three parts, you will need references beyond the kit instructions to figure out how these parts relate to each other. The nose gear is a single strut. The main… more |
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Extra EA 300L Vacu CanopyPublished:
The Extra 300L in this scale has a large canopy covering a tandem seat cockpit. If you want it closed, this is the only option you have a chance of doing that since the kits injected part doesn’t fit closed. Even if you elect to open it, when the inside and outside are painted, it creates a nice scale thickness canopy. The material used is about .55 mm thick so it's stiff enough to hold it shape. That also makes it easy to cut and sand to size. I’ve used a lot of vacuform canopies over the years and this is one of nicest I've worked with. Brengun also makes a masking set for this (item BRL48157). This is a good addition to the Brengun kit and I highly recommend it if you want the canopy closed. Thanks to Brengun for sending this sample and as always, to IPMS for allowing me to tell you… more |
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Extra EA 300L PE SetPublished:
This is a companion detail set for the Brengun Extra 330L kit#BRP48007. A full review of that kit is posted elsewhere on this site. The base kit will build up into a nice model but I can't imagine building it without this set. There are so many details included such as seat belts, instrument panels, aileron assist paddles and aerobatic sight frames that the model doesn’t look complete without them. In addition to the PE parts, there is a small acetate sheet that includes instruments that get trapped behind the PE parts and an inspection window that goes over a cutout under the horizontal stabilizer. Simply put, if you want to build this model, order this set at the same time. Thank you to Brengun for the sample of another unique subject and to IPMS for sending… more |
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Extra EA 300L Canopy MaskPublished:
This masking set is useful for either the kits injected canopy or the optional vacuform part (item #BRL48157). It consists of four sections that go on easily and fit as expected. A simple, cheap time saver. Thank you Brengun for this sample and IPMS for sending it to me. |