Curtiss P-40B Exhaust

Published: August 16, 2012
Company: Quickboost

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.… more

RCAF Mosquitoes Decals; Canadians in Fighter Command

Published: August 15, 2012
Company: Aviaeology

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… more

British Mk 2 Browning .303 Caliber Barrels with Flash Hiders

Published: July 5, 2012
Company: Master Model

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… more

Soviet Fighter Yak-3

Published: May 10, 2012
Company: Zvezda

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… more

RCAF Beaufighters in Coastal Command

Published: March 27, 2012
Company: Aviaeology

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… more

20-mm Flak 38 Anti-Aircraft Gun with Crew

Published: October 24, 2011
Company: Zvezda

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… more

Hurricane Mk IID Conversion Kit

Published: October 5, 2011
Company: 3D-Kits

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… more

Spitfire Mk II LR Conversion Kit

Published: September 28, 2011
Company: 3D-Kits

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… more

DOGFIGHT The Greatest Air Duels of World War II

Published: June 20, 2011
Book Author(s): Tony Holmes
Company: Osprey Publishing

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… more

Spitfire Mk II Conversion and Decals

Published: April 14, 2011
Company: 3D-Kits

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… more