Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
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ANG F-101B Decals Part 2 - Texas, Minnesota and North Dakota ANGPublished:
Caracal Models has built a reputation in the last several years for releasing outstanding decals for new and older kits which have superb artwork and printing. The set here is their second release and a re-release of their popular Air National Guard set, Part 2 for the Monogram 1/48 F-101B Voodoo. The set contains a single sheet of full instructions with the cover showing the five options. The inside page includes four profiles-one of each aircraft. The back page covers the fifth profile as well as top and bottom markings along with color call outs which for these aircraft are primarily ADC Gray (FS16473). There are two decal sheets; the first of which contains superb and colorful markings along with wing walks, slime lights and ejection seat warnings. The second smaller sheet… more |
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Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 37, Issue 3Published:
The new format continues to change to even more history interspersed with the modeling. The banner at the top of the cover even states "The Best for Modelling and Reference". The blue gray background are even more prevalent including the cover. The old structure and build types are gone and this concentrates more on feature articles. The first feature article by Andy McCabe and is a test shot build of the new Revell 1/32 FW190 F-8. The finished engine OOB is awesome and detail overall is superb. The engine access panels even open to display the kits engine and all for a very reasonable price. Richard Bolingbroke goes full bore with a two kits builds of Eduard 1/48 Hellcat series with a F6F-3 and an F6F-5. To top it off, he summarizes the wing fold kits that have been… more |
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Mark V Spitfire AGM MasksPublished:
Res-IM has made a masking set for the Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk. Vb. The kit has the following markings:
This masking set is die cut vinyl masks and provides the markings wing and fuselage roundels, the fuselage letters for the sides, the tail flashes in two styles and also the EN codes for one set of markings. The masks are very flexible and cut well. I wanted to give them a try so I grabbed one of the first kits I built (same as required by the masks). I pulled the decals off for the markings and sanded down the plane sides. I sprayed the plane with Sky Type S and let it dry. Here I… more |
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F6F-5 Hellcat Late - Profipack VersionPublished:
Eduard's latest release in their Hellcat series is a F6F-5 late in the Profipack set which contains lots of photoetch, resin wheels, a masking set and the sprues needed to make a late version. The set also comes with five olive sprues and one clear sprue which have wonderful panels lines and the lapped seams in the fuselage. The photoetch has one brass fret and one colorized one with lots of cockpit parts including a wonderful dozen for the instrument panel alone. The kit also has an excellent decal sheet with markings for four planes:
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PBY-5A WheelsPublished:
Revell’s PBY kits has been issued twice – once without landing gear (the PBY-5 version) and later with wheels (the PBY-5A version). Eduard has produced a superb set of wheels for the PBY-5A which includes both the main and nose gear. The set comes with seven resin parts, instructions and masks for the wheels. Casting is superb with no flaws. Construction is simple. Remove the casting blocks from the main wheel with a razor saw and clean up the small seam. Cut the front wheel loose following the same process. There are four wheel hubs for the main wheels. I cut these loose with a razor saw also and sanded the backs until they fit flush in the wheels. Next, I used a sharp blade and cleaned the flash off on the wheel hub spokes and inside the wheels. The parts are ready… more |
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U-453 Camouflage Masking SetPublished:
Kenny Loup and Gator Masks and More have been around for a while supplying masking sets for ships and planes as well as Gator Grip Glues. For this review, we are looking at a masking set for U-453 in 1/72 scale for Revell’s excellent U-boat kit. U-453 was on active duty from 1941 to 1944 when it was sunk. The boat served in the Mediterranean Sea and carried a unique camouflage scheme that went with that locations. The ship had splotches of darker gray (Dunkelgrau52) which were hard edged along with an inverted V on the conning tower. Inside the package you’ll find a long (over 3 feet) of precut vinyl masks, a picture of U-453 and instructions. The vinyl material is yellow and cut precisely to the blotches needed and the inverted “V” on the tower. There are masks for both sides… more |
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US Navy Wheel Chocks (Modern)Published:
Brengun has produced a detail set of modern US Navy Wheel Chocks. With all the 1/32 scale kit out there, these would make a great display item. The set consists of 8 nicely cast resin pieces. Four of these are the blocks, two are the rails and the last two are two tiny locks for the rails. The tread patterns and lines on the blocks is very well defined. The rails include the toothed pattern used to lock the chocks in place just like the real item. The lock are very small so caution will be needed. Preparation of the set requires removal from the casting blocks. The large pieces are a snap. Be careful removing the rails. The resin is strong. I used a photoetch razor saw and slowly worked it off with no issues but patience is needed. Same goes for the locks. Due to the casting… more |
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US Navy Wheel Chocks - ModernPublished:
Brengun has produced a detail set of modern US Navy Wheel Chocks. With all the plethora of 1/48 scale kit out there, these make a great display item. The set consists of twelve nicely cast resin pieces. Four of these are the blocks, two are the rails, four are the ends to the block and the last two are two tiny locks for the rails. The tread patterns and lines on the blocks is very well defined. The ends are separate in this scale to allow a good channel for the rails. The rails include the toothed pattern used to lock the chocks in place just like the real item. The lock are very small so caution will be needed. Preparation of the set requires removal from the casting blocks. The large pieces are a snap. Be careful removing the rails. The resin is strong. I used a photoetch… more |
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F-104 Undercarriage Wheels - EarlyPublished:
Eduard continues its F-104 accessories with this set which is a set of early wheels. The set consists of five parts, two main wheels with separate hubs for one side. There is also one front wheel. A masking set is also included. All the parts are perfectly cast and bubble free. Preparation involves removing the pour stubs and a light sanding. The separate hub makes painting easier. The detail on the wheels is head and shoulders above the kit parts. There are no ejection marks to deal with and the hub detail is greatly improved. The wheels have the needed writing on them versus the smooth surface on the kit parts. These are definite upgrades to the kit parts. Well made and more detailed. Recommended. My thanks to Eduard and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this set… more |
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F-104 Exhaust Nozzle- EarlyPublished:
Hasegawa's 1/48 F-104 is a very nice kit and build into a fine replica of a very pretty plane. Eduard has started to release aftermarket sets for the plane to upgrade the exhausts and the wheels. This set deals with the early F-104 version using the GE J79 engine. The set consists of five perfectly cast resin pieces with two photoetch pieces. The photoetch pieces are for flame holders. To prepare the set, you need to remove the casting blocks from the exhaust tube and exhaust petals along with two braces to support the installation of the engine in the fuselage. When you are cutting the exhaust petals loose, be slow and careful as it is fragile due to its thinness and detail Assembly is simple. Add the flame holder inside the exhaust tube. Add the second flame holder to the top… more |