Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
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Precision Sprue/Wire Round Cutter 02Published:
UMM-USA is one of the premier tool makers in the modeling market. John Vojtech has made many of these based upon his needs for his award-winning models. This is the Precision Sprue & Wire Cutter. This version, 02, has a rounded end. The piece comes in a plastic sleeve for easy storage. So, let’s take a look at the cutter. I personally like the rounded end version as it allows great vision for cutting. The end comes to a sharp point and that allows a fine cut on smaller parts. The part is “springy” and acts like tweezers. Because of the action at the cutting end, it allows for a very flush cut and leaves almost no clean up necessary. So, let’s take it for a test run. I started with the tires on Tamiya’s P-38 kit and they cut flush. It took one cut to lose it from the… more |
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VA-75 Sunday Punchers (2) USN A-6E TRAM Intruders DecalsPublished:
AOA Decals specializes in Vietnam to modern era planes and covers all the major scales. This sheet is 1/32nd scale and complements with VA-75 SUNDAY PUNCHERS (1), Sheet 32-027 and covers a spans of almost 20 years of the A-6 Intruder in service with one Navy squadron - VA-75 Sunday Punchers - from Vietnam to Desert Storm. This review is for Part 2 and covers the low visibility period with coverage of the late 1980s into Operation Desert Storm in 1991. There are two markings included for the following:
The set also includes decals for fuel tanks, tail… more |
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VA-75 Sunday Punchers (1) USN A-6A/A-6E Intruders DecalsPublished:
AOA Decals specializes in Vietnam to modern era planes and covers all the major scales. This sheet is 1/32nd scale along with VA-75 SUNDAY PUNCHERS (2), Sheet 32-028 covers a spans of almost 20 years of the A-6 Intruder in service with one Navy squadron - VA-75 Sunday Punchers - from Vietnam to Desert Storm. This review is for Part 1 and covers the high visibility period including coverage of their third and final deployment to Vietnam in 1972-73 and also their better known postwar white-tail markings. Markings are included for the following:
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The McDonnell Douglas Hornet - A Comprehensive GuidePublished:
Right off the bat, let me tell you that I am a fan of this SAM series of books. They provide everything a modeler needs for a knowledge of the plane covered and in tis case, it is the F/A-18 A/B/C/D Hornet. The books is 192 pages of soft back goodness with excellent pictures and illustrations. The table of contents has the following:
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AF-2S Guardian "Submarine Killer"Published:
I have a love for the unusual Naval airplanes – ones without the glitz and glamour of things like the F-14 Tomcat or F-18 Hornet. When Special Hobby graciously gave a kit of the AF-2s Guardian to IPMS/USA for review, I jumped on it (begged for it) The Af-2S Guardian was the first purpose-built anti-submarine warfare plane for carrier use to enter the US Navy active duty in 1950. There were actually two planes used for this job- one to carry the large (at the time) radar and detecting equipment and a second plane to carry weapons to destroy the sub. This particular kit is the “Sub Killer” and would carry the weapons. The Guardian was the largest single-engine piston-powered carrier aircraft to see service. Around 200 were built. Let’s look at the kit- Special Hobby is a… more |
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Micro Template ScriberPublished:
UMM USA has come to modelers rescue with another excellent tool, this time, the Micro Template Scriber. As the name describes, this tool is used to scribe using templates to replicate specific shapes being added to a model or to fix what was lost sanding and filling. Modelers have used many things in the past to do this same task- needles, line engravers, etc., and each has their drawbacks. UMM has produced a Template Scriber designed to fix these problems. The engraving tip is hardened tool steel to make sure the edge stays crisp. It is very fine and will glide around the interior of the template. Very importantly, the handle is ergonomically designed and has a grip to avoid slipping and allow even pressure to keep lines consistent. Use is simple. Place your template in the… more |
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Third Generation Scriber SCR-03Published:
I have been using UMM scribers for quite a while now. I use it for scraping seams and engraving panels lines eradicated by sanding and filling. Its design is multipurpose, and I love it. That was the SCR-01 original scriber. Since that came out, Jon has come out with an SCR-02 and now, an SCR-03 version. The newest version is longer and thinner than the originals providing even better access to tight corners. The part itself is manufactured from hardened tool steel and has a matte finish. One end is a sharpened hook for scribing panel lines and the other end is a flat blade which also has an edge to it. Overall length is 5.5 inches which is comfortable to hold in your hands and makes it very maneuverable even with my small hands. The UMM web site listed above lists its… more |
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Ki-45 Kai Tei Toryu (Nick) Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions continues their 1/32 scale line of white metal replacement gear with set 32146 for the Zoukei Mura 1/32 Ki-45 Toryu. The set includes 8 well made pieces of white metal that allow replacement of the two main landing gear struts along with a replacement of the tail wheel also. Inside the package, there are two main gear struts that are not interchangeable so make sure you know which side is left and right. The main gear also includes retraction struts and oleo’s for both sides. The tail wheel includes a nice sturdy strut and separate oleo. Fortunately, I was building the Zoukei Mura kit and these popped up on the list so I was able to incorporate them into the build. The cleanup was simple. They clean up like plastic gear and removal of a few… more |
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Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu (Nick) - FinishedPublished:
Zoukei-Mura’s latest release in 1/32 scale is the wonderful Ki-45 Toryu (Nick). This twin engine 2-seat, heavy fighter was used by the Japanese Army in WWII. In Part 2, I finished the cockpit and gunner positions and got the fuselage assembled. Next off are the wings. Here, you will need to install all the internal workings for the wings. Will they show in the end, no but it is still too cool and too much fun to pass up. I installed the fuel tanks, linkages for the ailerons and then glued the bottom wing onto the structure. It fit perfectly. Don’t forget to drill out the holes on the wing bottoms before sealing up! The landing gear are added next and I chose to go with SAC gear which are reviewed separately. Parts P-5 and P-26 are critical that you get installed and… more |
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AIM-4D FalconPublished:
The AIM-4D was the first operational guided missile in the USAF and entered service in 1956. Its limited maneuverability and non-proximity fuse made it ineffective against fast turning fighters and it saw limited duty due to those shortcomings. Eduard has released an excellent multimedia kit of these missiles in their Brassin line in 1/32nd scale. Inside the package, there are parts for four complete missiles. There are four well cast missiles bodies, four seeker head covers, four clear lenses and a small fret of PE for detailing the engine section. There is also a nice set of markings for the one-color scheme. To prepare the missile body, I cut it loose by cutting the four fins free using a set of sprue cutters. I then cut the four arms supporting this off, so I had… more |