Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
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D-704 Buddy Pod - Aerial Refueling StorePublished:
The D-704 Buddy Pod was an aerial refueling pod used for many aircraft to refuel others in addition to the purpose built tankers of today. The military still uses an updated version of this pod to provide in-flight refueling. It contains approximately 300 gallons of fuel. Scale Aircraft Conversions has produced one in 1/32 scale for use with the kits listed above. The kit is simple as it consists of two parts- the body of the pod in resin and the spinner in white metal. There are engraved panels lines a set of decals too. Prep work is minimal and here is where I screwed up. In the in-package shots, you can see a ring that is shown on the back of the pod. The instructions do not show this there, so I trimmed it off and sanded it smooth. Wrong. This represents the drogue and… more |
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Mechatro WeGo Aka and Kiiro (2 Kits)Published:
Mechatro WeGo robots are not as well known here as they are in Japan where the series has been a hit for a while now and their world continues to grow. Simply put, they are personal robots meant to carry children anywhere and everywhere. Here’s the detail from the web site: “Direct from Japan’s Chubu Mechatronics, Mechatro WeGo mechatrobots have taken the world by storm! These innovative, child-sized transports are the world’s smallest mechatrobots, built for carrying kids to school, soccer practice – and everywhere else in between. Mechatrobots have made carpooling obsolete, leaving parents with more time to take care of everyday errands. The only thing mechatrobots are missing? An alarm that ensures the kids are home in time for dinner!” They come in a variety of… more |
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PBY-5A FloatsPublished:
Eduard continues releases for Revell/Monograms 1/48 PBY-5A with a set designed to enhance the floats. This set is one large photoetch brass sheet with 39 pieces dominated by large sheets to be added to the floats. While some of the other PE sets are specifically for the "-5A" version, this looks like it will fit the "-5" also. The kits has quite good detail in most places but one place it is lacking is the floats on each wing tip. The bays that the floats fold into is devoid of any detail. Also, one die of the floats has very fine detail while the other side is again devoid of detail. These two deficiencies by providing full details for the floats bays and the floats themselves. The first thing to mention is that this set requires no surgery to add- it is simply added… more |
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Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 37, Issue 4Published:
As Gary Hatcher states in the editorial, the dust is settling from the transition in editors and they are striking a balance between modelling, reference and history with modelling having the lead. This edition is chocked full of detailed articles on all types of planes. The lead article is a test shot build of IBG's RWD 8 PWS by Karl Robinson. The final results are great and as this is their first aircraft, Polish manufacturer IBG comes out strong with this kit and bodes well for the future. Karl shows off his rigging skill as well. Richard Mason previews Revell of Germany's 1/72 C-54 Skymaster with shots of the sprue and a history of the plane itself. The kit has a full interior and it builds similar to the RoG C-17. The kit looks great and I can't wait to see it show… more |
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WWII USMC Seated Fighter Pilot Gregory "Pappy" BoyingtonPublished:
Ultracast has issued a figure than can be used in Tamiya's 1/32 F4U-1a Corsair and they picked one of my favorite subject, Pappy Boyington. The kit comes in seven well cast tan resin pieces- two arms, two legs, torso, head and chin strap. The castings are excellent with minimal to no mold lines. And the sculpt is by Mike Good and is superb. I started the build by freeing the pasts from the casting blocks with a razor saw. A few scrapes with the back of a knife and the seams were gone. I added the arms and the legs and had small gaps. I used Squadron white putty to fill in the seams and smoothed with a lacquer thinner. Once dry, I primer with Alclad gray primer. I started with the flesh which is only the face. I have started using Scale 75 paints and really like them.… more |
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F4F Wildcat Landing GearPublished:
Tamiya’s Wildcat has been around for a while and it is an excellent kit. Scale Aircraft Conversion has produced a set of metal landing gear to use on the kit. The set includes all the gear parts including the portions up inside the nose. A new tail wheel is also included. The metal parts are well made and are drop in replacements for the kits parts, but are made of metal. The metal is stiff but retains its malleability. Some cleanup will be needed to free it from the molding sprues and I recommend a razor saw for this work. Several modelers have asked me “why metal gear”? I agree, that this kit is not particularly heavy and my answer is twofold. First, have you ever lost a part? I have and while you can get the parts for most kits, getting these sturdier parts is much easier… more |
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Ventura’s in Canada 4Post WWII RCAF- B&G Trainers and Target TugsPublished:
Aviaeology out of Canada produces decals specific to many Canadian themed subjects. The research going into these decals is second to none. This set includes markings for four different aircraft in a variety of schemes and is meant for Revell’s beautiful 1/48 scale Ventura kit (but they are available in other scales too. Here’s a list of the planes represented:
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T-45C Goshawk DecalsPublished:
Caracal Models has scaled down their 1/48 T-45 series into 1/72, which can fit the Testor’s/Italeri version of the kit. The decal set comes with five options, which are:
The set comes with a multipage full color booklet with left and right profile views of all five aircraft in their orange and white training schemes. Noted where needed are other color callouts, with one plane actually being insignia red. There are great notations on… more |
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F-15C/D Lakenheath EaglesPublished:
Lakenheath is host to the largest deployment of United States Air Force personnel in the United Kingdom and one of the most important planes in their inventory is the F-15 Eagle. The Eagle is becoming a venerable plane having first debuted in 1976 but is still very capable and Caracal has honored this by producing a sheet for four F-15C’s all with kills and one F-15D all from Lakenheath. The set comes an excellent color cover showing all four options. Left and right profile shots of all four options are also included with stencil and markings placement. Color call outs are also included. There is also a note included that all aircraft depicted have had the MSIP II conversion so that is why the Great Wall Hobby kit is the recommended kit over the Hasegawa/Tamiya/Monogram… more |
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USAF T-6G TexanPublished:
Kittyhawks 1/32 scale model of the T-6 Texan was very well received and the buildup models with the kit decals look great. The T-6 was widely used as a trainer and over 15,000 were built. Caracal Models has released a set of excellent markings which depict the T-6 as USAF trainers from the 1950’s. The markings cover:
Both planes are FS33538 Chrome yellow overall and are a nice change from the kit markings. Inside the package, there is a folded booklet of full color instructions showing all the needed plane views and profiles for each plane with decal placement and color call outs (chrome yellow and black). A standard size decal sheet is included and is… more |