Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
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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 |
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C-45 Expeditor Part 2Published:
Caracal Models second release for the ICM 1/48 C-45 Expeditor covers this plane in service outside the United States with a total of five sets of markings. Inside the package, there is a seven page booklet which has full profiles of each plane (left and right as well as top and bottom), a page of color call outs and the cover showing all five variations. The five options are:
A standard size decal sheet is included which is printed… more |
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PBY-5A Undercarriage Detail SetPublished:
Revell’s PBY-5A Catalina has been around for 20 years now and I have seen quite a few built and it looks large and impressive when finished. The kit comes in two style- the “-5” who has no wheel wells and the “-5A” which does. Eduard has released sets for the PBY-5A which allow improvements to the entire airframe. This set (#48825) addresses the wheel bays which are only present in the “-5A” model and cannot be used on the initial “-5” release. This set comes with one large photoetch fret of over 50 pieces and upgrades both main gear bays as well as the nose gear wheel well and the landing gear itself. Preparation is required in the main gear bay by removing the two plastic ridges and grinding them smooth. No worries about scratches as it will be covered but it does need to be… more |
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F-16C "Florida Makos" 482FW FlagshipPublished:
The F-16 Falcon has been around for quite a few years now and it never ceases to amaze me just how many new and interesting ways they have found to mark it. Caracal Models has produced decals for one very interesting and cool set of markings. This sheet provides markings for the specially decorated 2014 flagship F-16C (87-0247) belonging to the 482FW based at Homestead AFB. Complete markings for the spectacular shark decoration and stenciling is provided on the decal sheet. The toothy mouth even sits next to the intake! Inside the package, you get an excellent reference-sheet indicating just which F-16C to use (Block 30 with GE Engine and a MCID big mouth intake), color call-outs and stencil locations, and the web site for location of the masking templates if you might prefer… more |
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MHU-12 Munition TrailerPublished:
Videoaviation out of Italy is one we don't often see here in the US. But I can tell you that any modeler with an interest in aviation modeling needs to look at their suite and wonderful selection of products. The item for review in this case is a 1/32 MHU-12 munitions handling trailer, used to transport munitions between the storage areas and the flight line for the US and many other forces. It has a 5,000 pound capacity and can accommodate a wide variety of munitions. The kit is beautifully cast in 66 resin parts with parts for two different versions in the box; one (yellow) early with tires and towbar, one (green) late with tires and towbar plus decals. The kit can be configured many different ways based on what munitions would be being hauled. I elected to do the late… more |
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PBY-5A Interior SA Detail SetPublished:
Revell’s PBY-5A Catalina has been around for 20 years now and I’ve seen quite a few built. It looks large and impressive when finished. The kit comes in two styles - the “-5” which has no wheel wells, and the “-5A” which does. Eduard has released sets for the PBY-5A which allow improvements to the entire airframe. This set (#49697) addresses the cockpit and interior. The set comes with two beautiful photoetch frets. One is colorized and includes a multi-part instrument panel, a full set of seat belts, and various panels and boxes for the cockpit. The second is not colorized and includes replacement parts for the cockpit floors, the nose gunners floor, replacement rudder pedals and linkages, ammo storage racks for the waist gunners area, and again, various boxes and panels.… more |
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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 |