Dan Mackay
Reviews By Author
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Curtiss P-40B ExhaustPublished:
I am presently working on the new Airfix Curtiss P-40B right now, it’s built, painted and decaled all that’s left is to do a panel line wash, apply weathering and add the little bits. The Airfix kit exhausts look fine as is, however the exhaust ends are solid I suppose one could drill each out, tedious but not difficult or you can replace them with Quickboost’s new P-40B resin replacements. The ends are hollowed out so no tedious drilling and the price is low so it won’t break the bank account. The Quickboost set directly replaces the kit parts so you don’t have to modify anything. My sample was perfectly cast, no air bubbles or any blemishes of any kind. See the pictures below. I recommend this set without reservation and will be buying more of these sets in the future. Thanks… more |
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RCAF Mosquitoes Decals; Canadians in Fighter CommandPublished:
Aviaeology provides well researched decals on four RCAF 418 squadron Mosquitoes that covers the changing markings during the service careers of these aircraft. Each subject is complete with narratives on time period and painting suggestions. The instructions and diagrams are provided on four photo copied sheets, but an email request to Aviaeology will get you a promptly sent color PDF of the instructions which will prove helpful. The PDF can be printed or sent to your tablet for reference in your model workshop, you can magnify the profiles as recommended by Aviaeology to identify the subtle shades and the finishes of these Mosquitoes. You also get a tutorial of the bombs and the racks used with complete painting guides for them. Listed below is a breakdown of the subjects. … more |
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British Mk 2 Browning .303 Caliber Barrels with Flash HidersPublished:
I have seen Master Models gun barrels and pitot tubes reviewed in magazines and other websites before, but this is the first time I have seen them in person. To say that I’m amazed and blown away is an understatement. I do not know if they are turned or cast, but these .303 Browning barrels are exact in scale and detail. You get four finely reproduced barrels that can be used in British gun turrets, or as nose armament for Mosquitos. See the pictures below and be amazed. I plan on using mine on an upcoming Mosquito project. Thanks to Master Model and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this sample. |
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Soviet Fighter Yak-3Published:
The Soviet fighter Yak-3 is part of Zvezda’s new “Snap Fit” series. You get 45 medium gray hard plastic parts and two clear parts with minimal flash. The instructions are very well illustrated with seven sequences of assembly. The detail is exceptional and surprising for a snap fit kit. The three piece pilot figure is a work of art, with the seat pan molded to the pilot. A seat without pilot is also provided, should you wish that option. The kit is designed for snap assembly and can easily be assembled with no glue. However, I plan on using glue. Areas of concern are the sink marks on the upper wings (part 40) and front top cowling (part 41). Filler will definitely be required. You also get two finely detailed instrument panels, one to be used with kit supplied decals and the other… more |
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RCAF Beaufighters in Coastal CommandPublished:
This is a follow-up to Michael Novasad’s earlier review on the 1/48 sheet, but this time it’s the 1/72 sheet. Aviaeology provides well-researched decals on four RCAF Beaufighters covering the changing markings during the service careers of these aircraft. Each subject is complete with narratives on time period and painting suggestions. The instructions and diagrams are provided on four photocopied sheets, but an email request to Aviaeology will get you a promptly sent color PDF of the instructions which will prove helpful. The PDF can be printed or sent to your tablet for reference in your model workshop. You can magnify the profiles as recommended by Aviaeology to identify the subtle shades of extra dark sea grey to aid in weathering your Beaufighter. You also get a tutorial of the… more |
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20-mm Flak 38 Anti-Aircraft Gun with CrewPublished:
The German 20-mm anti-aircraft gun with crew Flak 38 is part of Zvezda’s “Art of Tactics” war-gaming series. You get 20 dark gray flexible plastic pieces with minimal flash; you also get a game card with games stats for the “Art of Tactics” game. The instructions are very well illustrated with four sequences of assembly; even though there is no number sequence you should have no problem figuring out what goes where. The detail is exceptional and the best I’ve seen in this scale for the Flak 38. The two crew figures are up to Zvezda’s usual high standard and have little flash. The kit is designed for snap assembly and can easily be assembled with no glue. I was not confident in my ability to prepare and paint this type of bendy plastic, as I am far more comfortable working with… more |
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Hurricane Mk IID Conversion KitPublished:
To counter Axis armor, the British introduced a tank busting version of the Hurricane. Armed with two Vickers 40mm cannon they had the same effect as an armor-piercing rocket, but were four times more accurate. First fitted to the Hurricane as the Mk IID, they were also used on the later Hurricane Mk IV. Hurricane IIDs saw service in North Africa, the Far East and in the UK. In this conversion kit you get two sprues with six flash free parts in medium gray plastic. The parts can be used with any 1/72 Hurricane Mk II on the market today. The instructions show you all the changes you need to make to the kit Mk IIc wing to convert it to a Mk IId. You also get a small decal sheet covering three marking options. The options include No 6 squadron (April 1943), No 6 squadron “Our John… more |
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Spitfire Mk II LR Conversion KitPublished:
To increase the Spitfire's range about 100 Mk IIs were adapted in 1941 to carry a non detachable fuel tank under the port wing. These served with 66, 152 and 188 Squadrons. The tank gave a useful increase in range and allowed Spitfires to escort bombers on daylight raids to the continent, but speed and maneuverability suffered. In the conversion kit you get two flash free halves of the fuel tank in medium gray plastic. The parts can be used with any 1/72 on the market today but it is designed for the recent tooled Airfix Mk I/II kit. You also get a small decal sheet covering two marking options. The options include No 66 squadron and No 152 squadron. There are no national marking or stencils provided you will have to get these from the base kits you are using or from another… more |
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DOGFIGHT The Greatest Air Duels of World War IIPublished:
I was expectingthe usual Osprey soft cover book; I was surprised how heavy the package was from IPMS reviewers’ corps headquarters. The book is 300+ pages. It appears that this book is a compilation of previous vs. series, although I have not read the individual titles myself so I can’t say for sure. Tony Holmes is the editor of this compilation as well he contributes the Spitfires vs. Bf 109E covering the epic “Battle of Britain” during the summer of 1940. Below is the table of contents:
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Spitfire Mk II Conversion and DecalsPublished:
I'm a big Spitfire fan and I was really excited to review this new item from 3D-Kits. The decal sheet provides marking for four Spitfires. You get two identical sprues containing all the parts needed to convert two Spitfire Mk I's to Mk II standards. This set reminds me of the old Airform conversion set for 1/72 Spitfires from the mid-seventies, but much better. The parts are flash free and very nicely molded. A new seat, control column, Rotol propeller, blunt spinner and teardrop shaped Coffman starter fairing complete the conversion parts. This conversion is intended for Airfix (old and new tool), and Tamiya Spitfire kits. Although it may also fit the aging Hasegawa, Heller, and Revell kits as well (I don't have these kits handy and could not verify). The new parts are direct… more |