U-453 Camouflage Masking Set

Published: May 9, 2015
Company: Gator Masks

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

US Navy Wheel Chocks (Modern)

Published: May 9, 2015
Company: Hauler

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

US Navy Wheel Chocks - Modern

Published: May 3, 2015
Company: Hauler

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

F-104 Undercarriage Wheels - Early

Published: April 26, 2015
Company: Eduard

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

F-104 Exhaust Nozzle- Early

Published: April 25, 2015
Company: Eduard

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

Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 37, Issue 2

Published: April 25, 2015
Book Author(s): Edited by Gary Hatcher
Company: Scale Aircraft Modelling

New editor Gary Hatcher takes over the reins of Scale Aircraft Modeling and make some changes immediately in the format of the magazine. One thing you'll notice right away is the change to much more history interspersed with the modeling. Another interesting note is that many of the articles no longer have white backgrounds going to grey or blue gray in several articles. This is a first issue with these changes. The old structure and build types are gone and this concentrates more on feature articles.

For this issue, the first feature article by Tony O'Toole is refurbishment of a converted Airfix Stirling C.Mk.V. The article takes you through stripping the paint off, updating the engines with resin ones. He finishes it off with a nice paint scheme and subtle weathering.

Saab A32A Lansen

Published: April 24, 2015
Company: Tarangus

Saab has been a Swedish company for a very long time. The Lansen was one of their earlier developments in the jet age, its first test flight occurring in 1952. The A32A version was specifically designed for ground-attack and maritime-strikes. 287 aircraft were built between 1955 and 1957, and the airframe was not retired until 1978.

Tarangus is a Swedish company specializing in Swedish aviation. Founded in 2009, they have already started a tradition of excellent kits and attractive subjects. The kits are limited run injection molding and are flash-free with excellent engraved panel lines. There are two versions of the Lansen kit available. This review is for the A32A version. The kit comes with 3 gray sprue, a clear sprue, and two resin seats. The panel lines are very well done… more

A-6 Wheels and Hubs

Published: April 22, 2015
Company: Eduard

Eduard continues its release of improved resin wheels with a set designed for the Hobby Boss A-6 Intruder. The set consists of eight beautifully case resin pieces, a wheel mask set and a set of great instructions. The wheel hubs are cast separately for the main gear with the front wheels being cast as one piece each. The masks included are normal kabuki tape masks and will help the front wheels.

When I look for replacement wheels, I look for two things. First, are they an improvement over the kits parts? Second, how well are they made and cast? In the first instance, you can see from the close ups that the wheels are head and shoulders above the kit parts. As you can see from the comparison, the braking mechanism is a very distinct improvement. The tires have names on them and… more

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Exhaust Nozzles - Closed

Published: April 22, 2015
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Aires has issued several styles of exhausts for the current 1/48th scale kits on the market. These kits have either open or closed nozzles and for either the Hasegawa or Revell kit. So there are four sets in total. This set is for the Hasegawa series of F/A-18E/F kits and has closed nozzles. The set consists of six parts- two flame holders, two exhaust tubes and two closed nozzles. Casting is perfect. There are no flaws or blemishes.

The set is simplicity to use by removing the casting blocks from each of the six pieces, three per side. You can see in the comparison shots that the detail is much higher in the resin parts. The interior of the afterburner petals is much better and has the correct shape.

… more

Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 37, Issue 1

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: Scale Aircraft Modelling

Neil Robinson takes his second go around as interim editor and comes up with a second great issue. While the previous formats have been consistent, this interim issue is a collections of great articles and two aviation in profile and all the expected news on new releases and current in stock materials. There is also a really nice review of the Nuremberg Show Report.

The first article is an excellent upgrade of Revell's 1/72 Halifax built as a 6 group RCAF Halifax B.II Series IA built by Tony O'Toole. Changes include filling in some windows and reconfiguring others along with using a Freightdog set. The results are superb. Bonus real pictures and a history of the plane were included.

Andy Scott builds Revell's wonderful 1/48 Ventura as a Mark II. Alley Cats OOP blistered… more