Dave Koukol
Reviews By Author
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TBM-3 Avenger from USS Bunker HillPublished:
The US Navy’s most widely-used torpedo bomber of World War II, the Grumman TBF Avenger, filled a critical gap in combat capability shortly after the United States’ immersion into the war. The Grumman TBF’s and license-built General Motors TBM’s replaced the aging and obsolete Douglas TBD Devastator. Avengers operated in a host of roles through 1954, including torpedo bomber, level bomber, and anti-submarine duties. Academy proudly rolls out the first of its recently licensed Accurate Miniatures (AM) classics in the form of the TBM-3 Avenger. First introduced to the market under the Accurate Miniatures brand in 1996, this kit is truly a “Sweet 16” (year-old) work of art. The hallmark AM tooling’s detail and precision rivals that of Tamiya’s, with exceptional fit and minimal fuss… more |
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RMS Titanic Centenary AnniversaryPublished:
Tragically one of the most famous ships of all time, the RMS Titanic was heralded as “unsinkable” prior to her fateful maiden voyage in April, 1912. A floating palace of luxury and nautical innovation, Titanic and her sisters Olympic and Britannic were the pride of the White Star Line. On April 15, 1912, Titanic collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic and sank – taking 1502 souls with her. Marking the 100th anniversary of Titanic’s historic voyage, Academy has released a newly-tooled 1/700 rendition of the infamous liner, molded in 6 colors under their new feature set known as “MCP” (Multi-Colored Parts). The MCP are captured in 5 sprues (white, black, brown, tan, orange-yellow), main superstructure (white), and 2-piece waterline hull (hull red and black). A small decal… more |
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Hawker Hurricane Mk. I Engine CoversPublished:
Another fine offering from Quickboost comes in the form of a pair of cast resin engine covers for the Tamiya/Italeri Hurricane Mk. I. Crisply and delicately cast, these shrouds for the ‘Cane’s Merlin cleanly capture the shape and internal and external detail of the Mk. I’s engine covers, and are ideally suited for display in the removed position, as the fastener holes are finely captured. Compared to Eduard’s photoetch panel inserts reviewed earlier, the Quickboost version far better captures scale thickness and interior surface detail, as shown in the photo below. Not to knock the Eduard set (which is superb overall), but if you want to display your Hurricane with the engine exposed with the removed panels nearby, the Quickboost parts are the better option. The only… more |
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F-5F Tiger II Self-Adhesive SetPublished:
Eduard’s self-adhesive photoetch set for AFV Club’s F-5F Tiger II is yet another work of art in a long line of exquisite detail sets from the Czech manufacturer of model kits and accessories. Two PE frets – one color with self-adhesive on some parts, and the other in bare metal – provide the modeler with over a hundred parts to make the already-solid AFV kit really “pop.” As with all of Eduard’s comprehensive “S.A.” sets, the cockpit is the focal point. Instrument panel, side consoles, rudder pedal, ejection seat, and canopy rails and frames are superbly recreated in quarter scale, and fit the kit like a proverbial glove. The pre-painted instrument panels, console surfaces, and harnesses immediately draw the eye and provide a clear “wow” factor. Although… more |
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M151 MUTT In ActionPublished:
Tracing its origins back to a set of 1950 requirements for a replacement for the M38 family of vehicles of World War II “Jeep” descent, the M151 Military Utility Tactical Truck (MUTT) became the primary ¼-ton tactical vehicle of the United States Armed Forces until the advent of the HUMMWV in the mid-1980’s. In the course of 80 pages packed with 220 photos – mostly color – and a handful of line drawings, author David Doyle captures the genesis and service life of this legendary military vehicle. Although “In Action” in name, plenty of detail photos and narrative are provided of the vehicle in various phases of development, assembly and maintenance – a modeler’s treasure chest! Operational photographs and narrative capture the MUTT’s service in numerous… more |
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F6F-5 HellcatPublished:
The US Navy’s mainstay fighter from 1943 until the end of World War II, the Grumman F6F Hellcat was instrumental in establishing air dominance in the Pacific theater of operations during the war. Following the war, the Hellcat was relegated to US Navy Reserve units, as newer, more capable types replaced them in fleet service. Revell’s re-release of the timeless Monogram F6F-5, first offered in the 1960’s, is still a great kit for young modelers, or experienced modelers looking to relive a piece of their childhood. It’s probably safe to say that a majority of older modelers who started the hobby as kids have built at least 1 or 2 of these classics. Although only 6 (and ½, I’m reminded), this was Camden’s second Revellogram F6F-5, and the first one he actually painted and decaled… more |
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USN Carrier Deck 1942-1944Published:
Once again, Eduard steps up with an innovative photoetch 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 prepainted PE flight deck and airfield operating surfaces adds this little beauty to its ranks. Prepainted in natural wood 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 TBD Devastators, TBF/TBM Avengers, and SB2C Helldivers may seem to dwarf the piece – it seems… more |
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Douglas DC-3 Dakota Owners’ Workshop ManualPublished:
First seeing commercial service in 1936, the DC-3 was a descendant of Douglas Aircraft Company’s DC-1 and DC-2 designs, and was met with great acceptance by the commercial aviation industry. As war clouds brewed in Europe, American and British air services began their search for a capable, reliable, versatile, and durable aircraft to transport airborne troops and equipment, evacuate wounded warriors to rear areas, and to tow gliders. From that fundamental requirement emerged the C-47 Dakota, also known as the DC-3 Dakota by the Brits. Most famous for its crucial role during the D-Day Invasion of Normandy in June 1944, the Dakota saw service in all theaters of operation during the war, with many examples remaining in commercial and commemorative service to this day. In … more |
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Hurricane Mk I Self-Adhesive Detail SetPublished:
Inarguably one of the greatest things since sliced bread is Eduard’s series of prepainted, self-adhesive photoetch detail sets. Their recent release for the Tamiya/Italeri Hurricane Mk I is certainly no exception. Two frets of precisely engineered and etched media, accompanied by a small acetate sheet of gunsight glasses, capture a slew of detail enhancements for the cockpit, radiator, engine, main wheel well, and other areas. As always, the cockpit detail is the crown jewel of the set. Instrument panel, gunsight frame, seat, side console, boarding door, and harness detail are magnificently and delicately captured. Colors are convincing and compliment Polly Scale British Interior Grey Green quite well. Fit of the PE to the styrene parts is, as usual, impeccable… more |
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Hurricane Mk I MasksPublished:
Once again, “birdcage” canopies have met their match in the form of an Eduard mask set. This recent release from Eduard saved many minutes of precious benchtime by providing perfectly-sized and crisply-die-cut masks for the 14 clear windscreen and canopy panels, not to mention the landing light lenses and wheel hubs. I highly recommend this mask set to all modelers building the Italeri/Tamiya 1/48 Hurricane – it’s well worth every penny of the investment. Thanks to Eduard and IPMS/USA for the review sample and for the time saved on an epic build! |