Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
Four in One Sanding SticksPublished:
Here is a really slick idea for all types of model builders- a sanding stick with four different grits on one stick. From CRM Hobbies in Missouri comes a set of four sanding sticks with a stick having 600, 320, 240 and 150 grit on every stick. No digging around looking for a new stick as you polish up a seam, just flip it to the right one you need. As an added bonus, they are water proof. You can take them under a running sink while sanding or dip them in water and the grit stays in place. They are cushioned so they can go around corners too. I was recently built the X-Plus Ultraman kit and used these to eliminate seams and polish and they worked great. I also used them in running water and also, no loss of grit and it polished up the seams well. They cleaned right up with water… more |
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Prehistoric Scenes Saber Tooth TigerPublished:
The Prehistoric Scenes kits were first issued (from what I can find) in 1971 or before so the kit is over 50 years old. Looking inside the box, the kit comes with two small bases and a tree along with the star of the show, the Sabre Tooth Tiger. The molds have been cleaned up and there is pretty much no flash at all. The plastic is a very nostalgic yellow and if you are my age, you remember the planes and kits of the time being this bright color. Since I built this kit decades ago, I wanted to do something a little different so I reversed the layout a bit as the tiger looks mad and I wanted him jumping at you attacking. So if you look the kit up on the Internet, mine may look backwards but I like it in attack mode. There are really to parts to assemble- the tree and the… more |
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The McDonnell Douglas FG.1, FGR.2 and F-4J(UK) Phantom, British VersionsPublished:
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom is probably one of the most iconic aircraft of all time. Originally developed for the U.S. Navy, the F-4 found it’s way to the Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force. This highly capable aircraft went on to become the most produced American supersonic aircraft in history. Due to its capabilities, the F-4 also served with the air forces in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This book explores the FG.1, FGR.2, and F-4J(UK) in service with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The text is laid out in three chapters, each focusing on a specific variant. The introduction includes technical specifications for each variant and a list of British Phantom production numbers is a nice touch. Each chapter provides a thorough discussion of Phantom operations specific… more |
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F-14A Detailed Landing GearPublished:
Detail and Wonder has issued a replacement and highly detailed landing gear set for Tamiya’s 1/48th F-14A. The set includes a complete set of wheels, both main and nose along with separate hubs. a bag of metal supports and three 3D Printed landing gear- left, right and nose gear. To start, the instructions are wonderful and coded. The main parts are 3D printed. If you have never seen a 3D printed part, the process requires supports to make sure the prints are good. To start the prep of the parts, you cut off the big outside supports which are there protect the parts. As you can see from the pictures, the packaging is superb. All the inner supports are marked in red in the instructions. To remove the supports, I used a very good pair of sprue nippers and used a set of… more |
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Kriegsmarine U-Boat U-96Published:
Neverland Hobby has been involved in the plastic model hobby for a while and have jumped into the pond with there first release, a 1/144 Kriegsmarine U-Boat U-96. As a bit of background, U-96 was a Type VIIC version of the U Boat which sunk 27 ships and was it self sunk in port by allied bombs. It is known for having the markings of a laughing swordfish.
Looking at the kit, there are multiple sprues molded in color. The bottom hull and parts are light gray, the upper hull and conning tower a lighter gray and deck a tan color. All the parts are made to be assembled as a snap tite kit and without paint if chosen that way. Molding is well done and a good set of instructions as well as a sheet of stickers with multiple colors of the laughing swordfish. A stand and U boat… more |
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F-14 Seamless IntakesPublished:
From Fab Scale comes a really nice addition to the 1/48th Tamiya F-14, a 3D printed set of intakes that are in white. Inside the nice package are left and right intakes still attached to eh printing sprues. The packaging is great as it is firm and makes sure there is no damage to the parts. Prep is simple, I used sprue nippers to cut off the printing supports. I sanded the end and the parts were good. I test fit the parts into the kit and they slide with in well and the intake fans for the engine from the Tamiya kit fit like a glove. Since they are printed in white, they can be added after the rest of the intakes are painted the correct color for you kit or you could also paint them. They are seamless so there is no need for sanding like the kit parts which are… more |
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Army of IcePublished:
Army of Ice includes three figures from the Game of Thrones universe including the Night King, the Great Other and a Wight. The set is three separate kits and each includes a base. The kits are molded in gray styrene with clear weapons for the Night King and Great Other. The Night King is 17 parts; the Wight is 17 parts and the Great Other is 15 parts. Also included are instruction sheets with one side showing the parts tree and color reference while the back shows the assembly of the parts. Also included are full size sheets of painting for color reference for each kit Assembly is straightforward so what I want to do is highlight the differences and specifics of each kit.
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Lockheed F-35B Lightning IIPublished:
Tamiya follows it 1/48th F-35A Lightning kit with a new and very updated 1/48th F-35B. I have been lucky enough to review both. The F-35A Review is here: https://reviews.ipmsusa.org/review/f-35a-lightning-ii-4 For this review, I will focus on the differences between the two kits. Inside the box, you will find 14 sprues with tress A, B, C and E being carryovers from the A version. There are sprues to make weapons also:
There are seven marking options (USMC, Royal Air Force, Italian Air Force/Navy). There are well done decals for all the markings… more |
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Russian 9P149 Launching Vehicle w/9K114 Shturm-SPublished:
The 9P149 is a tank destroyer of Soviet origin and in this example, it is a vehicle carrying radio guided anti-tank system designated 9K114 Shturm which uses the 9M114 Kokon (Cocoon) missile. Same missile as used by the Mi-24 helicopter. The kit comes in standard gray plastic in 15 gray sprues, two clear sprues, decals and 2 photoetch frets. Total is 790 parts many of which are very tiny as the entire vehicle is a about a scale foot long. There is an entire interior which covers the driver compartment, engine and transmission. You will decide how far you want to build the interior if you don’t decide to open the hatches. The interior is really nice but I didn’t find many references no color call outs on the instructions. Construction begins with the bottom hull adding the… more |
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HH-60J Jayhawk ConversionPublished:
Floyd Werner and Werner Wings produces wonderful aftermarket and decals primarily (but not wholly) aimed at helicopters. That not surprising as that was what Floyd’s does- fly helicopters. This set consists of parts and decals to convert the Kitty Hawk 1/35th scale HH-60H to the Coast Guard version of the HH-60J Jayhawk. Wait, Kitty Hawk is out of business! Zimi Models to the rescue. They have reissued many of Kitty Hawks kits and that includes the Resue Hawk. Problem solved. The set includes seven well cast resin parts. The bigger pats are in white resin and include the extra fuel tank and the front fairing in front of the cockpit. Three of the seven parts make up the search light with the modeler supplying the lens.The last two parts modify the instrument panel with… more |