Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 36, Issue 11Published:
I get excited when the new issues of Scale Aircraft Modeling arrive. They have the same basic design and format. They are jam packed with superb aircraft builds and tips. In this issue, there are four feature articles, an Aviation in Profile piece, and seven Compact Build Reviews. This issue also includes a special section devoted to the IPMS UK Nationals. The Feature articles for this issue start with Mike Williams build of Airfix 1/48 Folland Gnat T.1. He details how to get a flawless finish and selects a gorgeous red and white paint scheme. He also depicts the plane in flight which really works with this subject. Next up is Nigel Poole's build of the Italeri Westland Wessex. He details it with two Eduard sets and then folds the rotors with Scalewarship's set. I had… more |
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AGM-12C Bullpup B MissilePublished:
Eduard continues its releases of highly detailed missiles with an AGM-12C Bullpup. The Bullpup was the first mass produced air-to-surface guided missile and entered production in 1965. The missile was carried by F-4’s and F-105’s and, unfortunately, it was not particularly effective. Also note that the “C” version would not necessarily be appropriate to earlier aircraft. In any case, check your references. The set comes with part to produce four complete missiles. This includes forty resin parts and a set of decals. 32 of the parts are perfectly cast fins- four main fins and four small fins. The main body and engine are two separate parts. Casting is prefect and very well defined. To build one, you need to separate the parts from their casting blocks. Make sure the main… more |
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Air Wing All-Stars: Cougar Trainer CAGsPublished:
In their first collaboration, Geoff Martin of Furball Decals and Bert Kinzey of Detail and Scale have come up with three comprehensive decal sheets for the Kittyhawk TF-9J Cougar with no less than nine subject covered in great detail and with superb markings. The set comes with six color pages on instructions which also include instructions for the stencils, paint call outs in FS numbers and complete profile shots of each plane with decal locations. There are two perfectly printed decal sheets- one full size and one quarter size which contains stencils for two aircraft plus the needed markings for all nine. There are no wing walk decals included so they need masked and painted. The declas are printed by Cartograf and look great. Here's the list of planes represented: … more |
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Ventura’s in Canada 2: RCAF Eastern Air Command SquadronsPublished:
For any who have missed it, Aviaeology out of Canada produces decals specific to many Canadian themed subjects. The first thing that hits you when you purchase one of their sets is the detail provided to replicate specific aircraft. The research going into these decals is second to none. This set includes markings for nine different aircraft in a variety of schemes. Here’s a quick list:
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USN/USAF 35lb Lubricating Bucket PumpPublished:
Aires has issued two versions of a 35 lb. lubricating bucket pump used to grease planes and the like. Both versions have exactly the same resin, photoetch and paint schemes. The only difference is the decals- one is for the US Navy and the other, the US Air Force. It makes sense to do these build concurrently. The resin consists of eight parts; four for the wheels, the handle, the plunger and the main body. The parts are cast perfectly and only the large body needs a pour spout removed. The photoetch parts are for the nozzles and the handles. There is also a length of wire for the hose. Assembly is pretty quick. The instructions call for you to cut small wire pieces (not included) to add the handle as pivot pins. I skipped this part; it is way to small) and just glued all the… more |
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Horten Ho-229: Part 2 - Cockpit, Wheels and WingsPublished:
Diving back in, we'll build the cockpit. It is similar to the frame itself. This starts with the two side walls which are detailed with extra levers and gauges and the throttles. These are painted RLM 66 so it stands out from the RLM 2 frame. The rudder pedals are painted and they are sandwiched between the two side frames and attached to the fuselage. Fit is perfect. The instrument panel is next and there are two choices. One is clear and there is a decal that can be added to the back. The second is solid and you can add the decals to the front. I built the clear version with Elmer's in the glass parts and then painting and adding the decal to the back. Once dry, I sprayed the back of the panel black as it is visible in the plane. To finish off the cockpit, the instrument panels is… more |
Oil Draining DollyPublished:
Aerobonus latest release is an oil draining cart used as a catch basin for motor oil. The set consists of eight resin parts and a decal sheet. The parts are in typical gray resin and are flawless. Parts removal is easy with careful trimming needed on the cart body and handle. Take your time and use a razor saw. A light sanding and you are good to go. The wheels are tiny as are the bolts to hold the handle. Be careful and things will clean up quickly. I did notice one problem and that is the two bars that extend out of the front of the cart to hold the handle. Mine were broken off so i sanded them smooth and made a new set with strip in less than five minutes. Aires has protectors built into the casting block to prevent this but it didn't work in this case. Assembly was… more |
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Compressed Gas Bottles - AcetylenePublished:
Aires Aerobonus line continues to pump out great add on sets for dioramas for kits and the latest release is a set of Compressed Gas cylinders in 1/32 and this time specifically acetylene tanks. The set has four casting blocks of materials. two of the blocks are the tanks with four bodies being provided. the remaining two block have the options for each tank. There are four closed tops and enough hardware to make the tops open and have gauges. the instructions show you both ways and the decision is the modelers. Construction is simple. Cut the tank from the casting block and sand smooth. For the closed tank, cut the lid off and sand smooth and glue on the top of the tank. For one with the pressure regulator, cut the regulator and dial off and glue those on the tank as shown in… more |
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USAAC P-6E Decal Sheet #1Published:
Yellow Wings has been producing superb decals for the time frame 1930 to 1941 for a while now. They are well researched and well printed and they specialize in very bright and exciting schemes. This set is specifically designed for the Lindberg kit and contains two options for the United States Army Air Corps.
Their are decals to represent both planes and are perfectly in register and very colorful. One is blue/yellow and the other is olive drab/yellow. Included in the instructions are full color views of the planes with specifications for the plane, antennae placement and location of the decals.… more |
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Seversky P-35 1937-41 DecalsPublished:
The Hobbycraft P-35 is an under rated kit. It builds well and looks the part. Yellow Wings comes to help with this excellent decal sheet representing three different markings. In the package, you get a well printed Microscale decals sheet with the three options, a full color sheet detailing the location of the decals for each option which includes performance specifications and other information and lastly, an instruction sheet for placing the decals, painting, explanation of command bands as well as recommended paints. It is a total package. The three markings represented are:
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