Dave Koukol
Reviews By Author
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F-35A Lightning IIPublished:
BackgroundThe absolute latest in American manned fighter aircraft, Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II is slated to replace aging F-16, F-18, and AV-8B aircraft in the lightweight fighter attack role in the US Air Force and US Navy in the next several years. The land-based F-35A will replace the F-16, the vertical-takeoff F-35B will assume the Harrier's role, and the carrier variant F-35C will take over for the F/A-18. Several other nations, including the United Kingdom, are expected to purchase variants of the F-35 for their air arms. This fifth-generation fighter employs many advanced features, including low-observable (stealth) technology, to ensure its effectiveness in the 21st Century combat environment. The KitThis recent release of the F-35A from… more |
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SR-71A Blackbird, “Gravestone” Limited EditionPublished:
Background Conceived originally as a high-altitude, high-speed interceptor to counter an anticipated Soviet strategic bomber threat (YF-12) and a strategic reconnaissance platform replacement for the U-2 (SR-71) in 1959, Lockheed’s “A-11” platform has become one of the most recognizable and awe-inspiring aircraft designs of all time. Setting and holding world speed and altitude records for decades, the SR-71 variant came to symbolize America’s manned strategic reconnaissance program from the mid 1960’s until its retirement in the mid 1990’s – when, ironically, it was retired in favor of the more cost-effective U-2. The Kit Another recent 1990’s re-release from Hasegawa, this Blackbird seems a bit old school by modern standards.… more |
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Armored ¼ Ton 4x4 Truck with BazookasPublished:
BackgroundArguably the most recognizable Allied vehicle of World War II is the timeless and versatile ¼ Ton 4x4 Truck, a.k.a. “Jeep.” While used for a myriad of tasks by Allied ground forces, scouting and reconnaissance were near the top of the list. Some variants of recon Jeeps were outfitted with .50-caliber machine guns, some with armor plate, and some with dual bazookas in lieu of the .50-cal – the latter during the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944, and serving as the subject of this kit. The KitDragon’s little armored bazooka-toting ¼-tonner is a compact package of modeling art. The 4 sprues and body of light gray and the single sprue of clear styrene parts are nicely detailed and very crisply molded with virtually no discernible flash. The hefty… more |
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The Incredible Hulk Monster TruckPublished:
From the pages of Marvel Comics to the arenas and stadiums of North America, the Incredible Hulk has certainly made a brutish and unruly impression upon the imaginations of youngsters and adults for generations. It is also the subject of Round2’s recent release under the AMT brand of this popular monster truck with an equally-popular monster/superhero theme. Another installment in the AMT brand’s popular Snap-It series, this green monster of a truck is molded in green, purple, and chrome-plated plastic with black vinyl tires, and includes peel-and-stick decals. No clear parts are provided. Build is quick and easy, as 7-year old Camden slammed this thing out in no time – even before Dad could get pics of the box contents! Instructions are clear and easy to follow, and… more |
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MQ-9 Reaper Landing GearPublished:
Another very welcome offering from our friends at Scale Aircraft Conversions is their white metal landing gear set for SkunkModel Workshop’s 1/48 scale MQ-9 Reaper. Since reviewing the Reaper kit back in June of 2011, my sample has succumbed to the insatiable pull of gravity against its spindly injection-molded main struts, settling into a “low-rider” crouch with the low-hanging vertical stabilizer all but dragging in the dirt. Enter SAC’s aftermarket set! Patterned from the kit parts, the SAC struts are a perfect fit to the base kit. Although some detail is softened in the casting process, they are still convincing in appearance and a necessity to preclude the dreaded “low-rider” effect of the kit struts. I highly recommend this set for anyone… more |
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Normandy: A Graphic History of D-DayPublished:
More often than not, books reviewed by the IPMS Reviewer Corps are targeted for the scale modeling enthusiast, history buffs, or a combination of the two. Wayne Vansant’s Normandy: A Graphic History of D-Day is a little different. Unlike more traditional narratives or photo references, it brings the events of the Allied invasion of "Fortress Europe" to life in vivid color in a comic book format – a 104-page comic book, to be exact. It seems well-suited for younger readers and comic enthusiasts. The author chronicles the prelude events leading up to Overlord all the way through the liberation of Paris in the summer of 1944. Each of the 5 beach invasions is documented, as well as several key engagements leading up to the 2nd Free French Armored Division’s triumphant… more |
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Ford AeroMax SnapTite TruckPublished:
Introduced by Ford in 1988, the AeroMax was part of their L-Series of trucks produced over 28 years starting in 1970, designed for fuel efficiency, performance, and comfort for long hauls. Revell’s 1/32 SnapTite kit embodies AeroMax with 52 parts molded in white, black, chrome plate, and clear. A sheet of peel-and-stick decals and a set of instructions round out the box contents. Parts are nicely molded, with appropriate raised and recessed detail. Fit seemed to be pretty good, although some of the snap features required reinforcement with a little liquid cement. Instructions are clear and assembly sequence was straightforward. Box art and instruction drawings also provide ample guidance for those wishing to paint their model. The peel-and-stick decals are crisply and… more |
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U-2R Dragon LadyPublished:
Stemming from a 1953 United States Air Force requirement for a single-seat aircraft to overfly the Soviet Union for photographic reconnaissance at altitudes exceeding 70,000 feet, the U-2 took form under the direction of the legendary aircraft designer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson of Lockheed’s renowned “Skunk Works.” Initially rejected by the Air Force (partly because of the inclusion of the unproven J-73 engine), the concept gained traction with the Central Intelligence Agency in 1954 and prototypes were developed and tested in 1955, using the proven J-57 engine. Eventually accepted into production and service the CIA and USAF, the U-2 became the mainstay of US strategic reconnaissance during the Cold War. By 1966, the size of the U-2 fleet was dwindling from operational losses, and a… more |
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USN Carrier Deck 1944-1945Published:
Once again, Eduard steps up with an innovative photo etch accessory to add realism and context to 1/72 scale aircraft. In the tradition of their superb PE sets to go in and on aircraft kits, the growing series of pre-painted PE flight deck and airfield operating surfaces adds this little beauty to its ranks. Pre-painted in the wood stain flight deck color, this little gem provides a convincing and contrasting base to the blues of US Navy aircraft of the period. A few snips, and a tiny bit of filing or sanding, and the deck section is ready to mount to a firm base or slide underneath a favorite WW II Navy carrier plane. The only drawback is the small size, as larger aircraft like TBF/TBM Avengers and SB2C Helldivers may seem to dwarf the piece – it seems better-suited for… more |
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USN Carrier Deck 1943-1944Published:
Once again, Eduard steps up with an innovative photo etch accessory to add realism and context to 1/72 scale aircraft. In the tradition of their superb PE sets to go in and on aircraft kits, the growing series of pre-painted PE flight deck and airfield operating surfaces adds this little beauty to its ranks. Pre-painted in the wood stain flight deck color, this little gem provides a convincing and contrasting base to the blues of US Navy aircraft of the period. A few snips, and a tiny bit of filing or sanding, and the deck section is ready to mount to a firm base or slide underneath a favorite WW II Navy carrier plane. The only drawback is the small size, as larger aircraft like TBF/TBM Avengers and SB2C Helldivers may seem to dwarf the piece – it seems better-suited… more |