Dave Koukol
Reviews By Author
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Star Trek U.S.S. Reliant NCC-1864 Aztec Decal SetPublished:
BackgroundAs featured in the movie Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Federation starship USS Reliant was the vessel commandeered by the despotic Khan Noonien Singh, a late 20th century superhuman product of genetic engineering. Khan first appeared in an episode of the original Star Trek TV series, “Space Seed,” where he and his crew were discovered in cryogenic stasis while drifting through space aboard the SS Botany Bay. Revived by USS Enterprise’s crew, Khan and his followers were permanently exiled on a remote planet by Captain James T. Kirk after a failed attempt to seize Enterprise. As with most twice-deposed despots, Khan had quite the axe to grind with Kirk. The Wrath of Khan follows the titular… more |
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Star Trek U.S.S. Reliant NCC-1864Published:
BackgroundAs featured in the movie Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Federation starship USS Reliant was the vessel commandeered by the despotic Khan Noonien Singh, a late 20th century superhuman product of genetic engineering. Khan first appeared in an episode of the original Star Trek TV series, “Space Seed,” where he and his crew were discovered in cryogenic stasis while drifting through space aboard the SS Botany Bay. Revived by USS Enterprise’s crew, Khan and his followers were permanently exiled on a remote planet by Captain James T. Kirk after a failed attempt to seize Enterprise. As with most twice-deposed despots, Khan had quite the axe to grind with Kirk. The Wrath of Khan follows the titular… more |
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Hyundai AzeraPublished:
BackgroundManufactured in Korea and marketed as a “premium sport sedan,” Hyundai’s Azera shares the marketplace with Toyota’s Avalon, Ford’s Taurus, and Lexus’ LS 350. The KitEngineered to be built without paint or glue, Academy’s Azera seems targeted for the casual builder, beginning modeler, and the full-size Azera owner. Although targeted for less-experienced modelers, Academy has provided ample detail for the more serious or advanced modeler as well. The body, chassis, and 2 sprues of parts are nicely molded in black, with features, proportions, and detail commensurate with marketing photos on the Hyundai USA website. Likewise, the chrome-plated and clear parts are nicely executed and are consistent with the manufacturer’s online glamour shots… more |
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U.S. M1 57mm Anti-Tank Gun on M2 Carriage (Late Version)Published:
BackgroundAs the United States found itself drawn into World War II, it was clear to Army commanders from the outset that their standard 37mm anti-tank guns were obsolete in the face of German armor. Pressed for time to field a suitable replacement, the British 6 pounder was adapted to the needs of the US Army. Although considered too heavy by many elements of the US Army, and limited to primarily armor-piercing ammunition, the M1 eventually became the standard anti-tank gun of American infantry divisions by 1944. The type saw action with American, British, Russian, and Free French forces by the end of WWII, and was phased out in the early 1950’s, although some smaller armies still have examples still in service. The KitRiich Models leverages sprues from… more |
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Airbrush Cleaning MatPublished:
Finally! Yes -- finally a product to relieve the angst of modelers worrying about losing or damaging delicate and precision parts during the dreaded airbrush cleaning process. It’s simple, it’s attractive, and it’s ingenious – it’s Iwata’s Raised Ridge Airbrush Cleaning Mat. Although, unfortunately, it does not clean your airbrush for you, it provides a soft, durable surface with a raised boundary edge – much akin to a giant mouse pad with wall around the edges. Springs, nozzles, needles, tips, seals, and the like have little to no chance of escaping into the jaws of the carpet monster or into cracks between work surfaces. It’s non-skid backing keeps it securely in place – even against moderate bumps or jostles while moving around at the workbench. Kudos to Iwata for… more |
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LED MagnifierPublished:
Ever wonder what kind of condition your airbrush needles or nozzles are really in? It’s tough to tell without some magnification help (more than your garden-variety optivisor) and some good lighting. As part of its expanding line of cleaning accessories, Iwata has introduced a 30/60X magnifier with LED lighting to provide a one-tool solution to satisfy that need. Although my sample’s internal switch was a bit touchy (had to jiggle the assembly a bit to get it to stay on), the quality of the test subject images was exceptional at 30X and 60X under both the white and the blue lights. Upon concluding my tests, I took a couple of minutes to determine battery type and accessibility. After disassembling the outer case (snap fit), it was apparent that the batteries were of the… more |
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T-38A Talon 'Holloman AFB' (Premium Edition)Published:
BackgroundThe world’s first and most-produced supersonic trainer, the Northrop T-38A Talon has trained over 5,000 military pilots since its introduction to service in 1961. Of the nearly 1,200 T-38A’s produced, the US Air Force continues to operate over 500 of the type as of 2014, of which most will be upgraded to T-38C configuration with new wings and improved avionics, including heads-up display and inertial navigation systems, and will continue to operate them until at least 2020. The KitFollowing up their excellent T-38A (WP10001) with this “Premium Edition” variant, Wolfpack Design ups the ante with photoetch, resin, and a metal pitot tube. All-in, the kit features 100 exquisitely molded styrene parts with finely recessed detail, a fret of PE details… more |
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Audi R8 Build & PlayPublished:
BackgroundThe production Audi R8 was named after the manufacturer’s 5-time LeMans winner and was first marketed in 2006. Featuring a mid-mounted 4.2 liter V8 engine, generating 420 brake horsepower enabling a top speed of over 180 miles per hour, the R8 is truly a super sports car. The KitConsisting of 13 pieces in pre-painted metallic orange and flat black; clear, chrome, and red clear styrene, steel axles, and vinyl tires, this kit is well-suited for first-time and beginning modelers. Exterior, interior, and underside detail is crisply molded and provides a convincing replica of the R8. The BuildBehind the wheel on this build was my 9-year old son, Camden, who has now been building for a few years and has contributed to a number of… more |
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U-Boat Aces – Limited EditionPublished:
BackgroundCharacterized as the longest naval battle in history by British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, The Battle of the Atlantic was conducted from the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939 through the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. Crucial to the survival of Great Britain was the island nation’s ability to receive military and general material aid from North America via the sea lanes of the Atlantic Ocean. To disrupt and ultimately destroy this sea bridge, the German navy engaged in a ruthless and relentless campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare against merchant and military shipping carrying aid to the British Isles. Two of the most effective and prominent German unterseeboot (U-Boat) designs of the period were the Type VIIC and Type IXC boats, both… more |
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Half Moon Sailing ShipPublished:
BackgroundThe Half Moon, captained by Englishman Henry Hudson under commission to the Dutch Republic, was charged with covertly finding a westerly passage to China in the early 1600s. In 1609, Half Moon sailed into what is now New York Harbor and later sailed and explored the mid-Atlantic region as far south as the Chesapeake Bay. The KitOriginally released by Pyro in the 1960s, Half Moon later found her way into the Lindberg Line portfolio, and finally into Round 2 Models’ fold in 2014 (still bearing the Lindberg brand). Comprised of 22 parts molded in white styrene on hefty sprue trees, instructions, and full color decals, this classic kit has weathered its 50-year life surprisingly well. Conspicuously absent, however, are ratlines and… more |