Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
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KAB-1500Kr 1500 kg TV-guided BombsPublished:
The KAB-1500Kr series are Electro-Optical guided bombs. The seeker employs a gimbaled daylight television imaging sensor under a wide angle glass dome. This has enhanced sensors for guiding the bomb and can come in several different explosive materials inside. It is a large weapon for taking out difficult hardened items. Advanced Modeling has produced a 1/72nd scale version of this weapon and it is a beauty! The set comes with enough parts to make two individual bombs. All the parts are perfectly cast firm gray resin. Each bomb is comprised of eleven gray parts and a clear cast seeker head. There is also a comprehensive decal sheet. No seams or bubbles are on any parts. Assembly starts by preparing the resin parts and removing the casting blocks. This is simple… more |
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B8 80 mm Rocket LauncherPublished:
The B8M1 rocket launcher carries 80mm S-8 unguided rockets that can come in a variety of types. It is still in use by various countries and on various planes. Advanced Modeling has produced a wonderful 1/72nd scale version of this weapon to upgrade current kit parts or add something different. The resin comes with enough parts for two rocket launchers that each consist of three parts - the main body, the nose cone and the back shroud. Simply cut the parts from the casting blocks and make sure they are square. Glue the parts together and fill any seams (I had almost none as the fit was good). The recommended color is aluminum dope. Advanced Modeling included some great shots of the real thing and while they started as silver colored, they are well used so it is a great… more |
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Mk82 AIR Bombs with BSU-49/BPublished:
The Mark 82 serMK82 AIR is a 500 pound bomb modified with a BSU-49/B high drag tail assembly. The "ballute" air bag which deploys from the tail provides a high speed, low altitude delivery capability by quickly slowing the bomb and allowing the aircraft to escape the blast pattern. The tail assembly consists of a low-drag canister unit containing a ballute (combination balloon and parachute), and a release lanyard assembly that opens the canister releasing the ballute. The ballute assembly is made from high strength low porosity nylon fabric. When the bomb is released from the aircraft a lanyard unlatches the back cover which opens, releasing part of the nylon bag/retarder. Air turbulence at the rear of the bomb acts on that portion of the retarder, pulling the remainder out of the… more |
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B13L 122 mm Rocket LauncherPublished:
Advanced Modeling is a new company and specializes in Russian and Soviet aftermarket items. They cover 1/48 and 1/72 scale items which are cast in beautiful gray resin. A great set of instructions and comprehensive decal sheet is also included. The resin is firm but not brittle and the details are awesome. For this review, the B13L 122mm rocket launcher is reviewed. It comes with four pieces with a back and front section. As a bit of background, the S-13 is a 122 mm caliber unguided rocket weapon developed by the Soviet Air Force for use by military aircraft. It remains in service with the Russian Air Force and some other countries. S-13 rockets are shot from 5-tube launchers B-13L, that can be carried by most of Soviet and Russian attack and new fighter aircraft, like Su-17/20… more |
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A-6E TRAM Canopy Masking SetPublished:
Trumpeter has issued two versions of their 1/32 A-6 Intruder which was on many people's most-wanted list. While the kit is expensive, it is well done, well detailed and builds into a great replica. Of course that doesn’t mean there isn't some room for improvement. While the aftermarket has been slow coming, Eduard has issued sets for the A-6E TRAM version to spice up several areas of the kit as well as a canopy masking set. The canopy masking set is simplicity for masking the windscreen and sliding canopy. The front parts of the windscreen are two large parts made of yellow kabuki tape, and fit nicely covering that part of the windscreen. The sides of the windscreen are covered in the three corners by three parts. Be careful here as the masks are specific to which side they… more |
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A-6E TRAM Exterior Detail SetPublished:
Trumpeter has issued two versions of their 1/32 A-6 Intruder which was on many peoples most wanted list. While the kit is expensive, it is well done, well detailed and builds into a great replica. Of course that doesn’t mean there isn't some room for improvement. While the aftermarket has been slow coming, Eduard has issued sets for the A-6E TRAM version to spice up several areas of the kit. This set upgrades the exterior and contains two large frets of photoetch parts for the kit. The set addresses several areas and I will cover them separately as they are separate construction. First, there are several smaller spots addressed with finer replacement parts such as the chaff/flare dispensers. These are simple drop in replacements. Also, the interior of the engine bay… more |
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A-6E TRAM Undercarriage Detail SetPublished:
Trumpeter has issued two versions of their 1/32 A-6 Intruder which was on many peoples most wanted list. While the kit is expensive, it is well done, well detailed and builds into a great replica. Of course that doesn’t mean there is not some room for improvement. While the aftermarket has been slow coming, Eduard has issued sets for the A-6E TRAM version to spice up several areas of the kit. This set upgrades the under carriage and wheel wells and contains one large fret of photoetch parts for the kit. All three wheels wells are addressed and we can take a look at the nose gear well first. This is fairly well appointed in the kit but sidewall detail is lacking on the aft bulkhead. Eduard includes a very nicely done fix for the bulkhead and also half a dozen enhancements for… more |
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Mk.84 BombsPublished:
Eduard has produced a 1/32 scale version of the Mk.84 2000 lb. general purpose bomb and it’s the largest common bomb used in the military. Looking through my kits, there isn’t a good representation of this weapon in this configuration (there are plenty of laser guided versions) so this is a welcome option for modelers. Inside the package you will find parts to make two bombs. There are two front bomb halves and two rear fin sections. Also included are three different fuse options, a set of small photoetch rings for detailing the rear fin section of the bomb and a set of decals. Also included is a nice set of instructions in color. The decals come in either white markings or yellow. More on them later. Construction is simple. Remove the molding plug from the back of the… more |
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King Kong TriumphantPublished:
Round 2 and Polar Lights has begun releasing full resin kits with The Wicked Witch, Kane from Alien and this kit, King Kong Triumphant. All of these kits are made of cold cast resin. This kit represents King Kong after the fight with the T-rex standing triumphantly on top of his beaten opponent. The kit was sculpted by Gabriel Marquez and represents the "long face" Kong from the film as animated by Willis O'Brien. This kit is packed in perfect Styrofoam packaging with each piece nestling into a hole precut for it. The kit comes with Kong’s main body, his two arms, the base with the dead T-Rex and the dinosaurs left forearm. The kit has minimal to no seams with just a little clean up around the head of the dinosaur and a few in the fur. I prepped the kit using a Dremel with… more |
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SBD-5 Dauntless Limited EditionPublished:
Eduard continues its “full meal deal kits” this time with Accurate Miniatures 1/48th scale SBD-5. For those who haven’t seen them, Eduard takes a very good kit, adds resin, photoetch and masks and bundles it into one solid kit. Let’s look at the contents. First, the highly detailed Accurate Miniatures SBD-5 kit. The full kit is here with all the parts including optional position canopies, nice engine detail and wonderful engraved detail. There was the barest flash present on a couple parts only. The resin parts for this include the tires which have two optional outer hubs, a tail wheel and parts for the gun. The decals are from Cartograf and have five excellent options. Markings are provided for the following:
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