Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
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CH-54A (S-64E) Tarhe cockpitPublished:
Reskit has issued a 3D printed cockpit for ICM’s 1/35th scale CH-54A or S-64E Tarhe. There are versions of this from Reskit primarily with and without 3D printed instruments like the ones I reviewed last in my Reskit F-111E review. This set does not include the printed instrument panels but does includes more than 30 3D printed parts. Also included are acetates for the instrument panels, decals and small printed sheet for magazines that can be added. These are all packaged in a well-padded box containing the parts and their supports and boxes. On review, the detail is outstanding down to the smallest thing. There are options instrument panels and instrument package for the S-64E version. For those that have never used a 3D printed part, your first thing after… more |
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T-800 Terminator, Part 6 - The FinishPublished:
Following the base and paint modifications, the rest of the build is finishing the model and taking the pictures. To finish the build, you need to finishing the left arm and leg; these are built the same way of the previous right arm and right leg. I did paint and modify most of the cylinders in the arm and leg as per the previous sections. Once these are attached, we need to build the torso. The torso is constructed from the inside out with plates being added. The connections of the “hydraulic” lines also occurs. The parts are precut and glued in place and I used the recommended super glue here sparsely. These are attached to the head and shoulder section. The plate sections are heavy plastic or metal. The process continues with the back and cylinders being added. Follow… more |
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T-800 Terminator, Part 5 - Modifications and ChangesPublished:
In this second to last part, I want to go over some of the modifications we can do to the Terminator. First, let me say, these are not needed as the kit is fantastic by itself. That being said, I can never leave well enough alone so here we go. Looking at the kit, there are parts of metal and plastic. I wanted to deal with plastic parts and when they are made, they are molded and have faint seam lines and then are chrome plated over that. My first step was to use sanding sticks and progressively finer grits to get the seams removed. Polishing the parts will produce a finer finish. The only difficult part to this is getting through the really good chrome plate. Once the seams are good and smoothed, I used a primer to prep the pats for painting. I like Tamiya Super Fine. It dries… more |
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T-800 Terminator, Part 4Published:
This is a little out of order but I was building side by side and wanted to get the base finished to hold him when is done as the T-800 will weigh around 17-18 pounds. With the base (which is steps 108 to 120), it comes pre-painted in a gray and rust and looks nice. Needless to say, I could not leave well enough alone. The base also includes the sound chip, the battery pack that supplies it and four colored spot lights. The base comes in four large plastic parts with many different parts to add to the top including a skull, bones, springs and various rock and metal bits. Underneath, there were four LED lights that will need assembled, a multipart battery pack and the wiring to power it all. I wanted the base to have a more dirt based, scorched earth look. I started by assembling… more |
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F-111A/E Cockpit with 3D DecalsPublished:
HobbyBoss issued a new and more modern F-111 kit a while back (2010 I think) replacing the aging Academy kits. It had a lot of features and for styrene, a decent but simplified cockpit. It was missing seat belts, detail on the instrument panel and other parts. Reskit for Kyiv, Ukraine to the rescue with a magnificent, highly detailed multimedia cockpit. Opening the box, there are 42 3D printed parts, 4 injection molded parts (the canopy and windscreen), a masking set and a fret with dozens on photoetched parts. Preparation starts by removing the supports on the 3D parts. I warmed mine a little with a hair dryer and used a hobby knife and sprue nipper and the part were free quickly. I used a sanding stick to remove any nubs and we were good. One note here, there are instructions to… more |
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T-800 Terminator, Part 3Published:
Hi everyone - had to split the build due to technical limitations to the web site. Part three will cover the rest of the build until we run out of parts and then part three will do the fixes and modifications. “He'll find her! That's what he does! That's ALL he does! You can't stop him! He'll wade through you, reach down her throat and pull her heart out!- Kyle Reese” Step 61 and 62 build the right knee and adding it to the upper section of the leg. One note here. This is getting big so allow yourself a larger workspace. As the knee is inserted, you will need to thread one of the upper pistons at the same time- not difficult because everything fits perfectly. This is also tightened with a Allen wrench and can be fixed tightly of allowing movement. Steps 63 through 71… more |
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T-800 Terminator, Part 2Published:
“That Terminator is out there! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead!”- Kyle Reese Hi model fans! Life is good when a big box arrives from Agora full of parts for the second part of the Agora Models Terminator. I am going to split this into three parts with the first two primarily on the construction of the parts and the last, some of the upgrades and modifications to prepare for the rest of the parts to arrive. Let’s dive in! This part starts with the construction of the spine which consists starting with the connection to the shoulders and parts that allow posing and movement. The instructions are clear and uses plastic… more |
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Ta 152H-1 Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions (who goes by SAC most of the time) produces white metal replacement landing gear sets for a plethora of planes in all scales. In the case of this review, the gear being reviewed are for the 1/32 Zoukei Mura Ta-152H-1. The parts inside include both main landing gear legs as well as the retraction cylinders and oleo struts for each leg. Also included are the rear tail wheel component and its bracket. All are cast in white metal with no seams per se and are well done. As with many SAC retraction struts, mine were a little warped out of the package but easily straightened. Comparing them to the kit parts, they are an exact match and should drop in directly. Being metal, the gear will provide better resistance against bend and sag over the time. Being a fan… more |
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B-2A Spirit Stealth BomberPublished:
Academy’s newest kit is a wonderful version of the B-2A Spirit in 1/144 scale. This is a great scale for this aircraft as it is a large plane. Looking inside the box, you will find four perfectly crisp gray sprues with no flash and minimal mold lines. One clear sprue is included and also a precut masking set for the canopy and a large decal sheet. Markings and stencils are included for a single plane with five choices:
The build starts with a three-piece cockpit. Seats are molded in and honestly, when the canopy is added, you… more |
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GAZ-A in German ServicePublished:
ICM keeps adding more kits than most manufacturers and extending their line. ICM has produced a kit of the GAZ-A which was produced from 1932 to 1936 in a joint agreement between Ford and the Soviet Union. It is a replica of the Ford Model A. The representation in this kit is one commandeered used by the Germans. The kit is made from 201 parts on nine gray sprues, one clear sprue and 5 rubber tires. The instructions have great sprue maps and show the unused parts. There is a small sheet of decals and two markings available both with German crosses. Construction starts with the frame which is constructed from eleven pieces. Make sure that the parts are squared up as the contact points are good but not keyed. The frame needs to be square and level as tis is the basis for the… more |