Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
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A-1D (AD-4) Skyraider cockpit setPublished:
Aires continues it release for the recent bounty of 1/32 Skyraider with a cockpit set for the Trumpeter AD-4 kit. The set consists of 7 gray resin parts, all of which are perfectly cast. One of these, the gun sight, is not used for the Trumpeter kit. The set also has a photoetch fret with 26 pieces with the instrument panel and seat belts making up the majority. Lastly, there is a film sheet with the instruments printed on it and having parts for a gun sight which is also not used. Preparation is fairly straightforward with the main cockpit floor needing the aft pour sprue removed. In this step, you need to be careful of the knobs on the throttles and any other protruding parts of the instrument panels. They are fragile and I broke off a few and had to scratch build them. The… more |
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Cage Masts for "Big Five" Colorado/Tennessee-class BattleshipsPublished:
One problem that has plagued ship modelers for years is trying to replicate the “cage” masts which first appeared on the South Carolina battleship series. Kits have tried to replicate them in plastic and it just can’t duplicate the fineness. Photoetch has been done but it requires a deft hand to bend and even then, it’s flat. Enter 3D Model Parts. This set contains two masts for USS Colorado/Tennessee class ships which require both masts. The masts are done in orange plastic and come two to a set packed in a sturdy plastic tube in a pouch. Instructions include where to cut. These are printed parts and printing is starting to make a real inroad to the hobby. To use them, all you need to do is snip away the excess plastic and then gently sand and you’re done. The masts are about… more |
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404 Squadron Beaufighters: Black Friday PlusPublished:
For any who have missed it, Aviaeology is a company out of Canada producing decals specific to many Canadian themed subjects. This set of for 404 Squadron Beaufighters and comes in all scales but this the 1/72nd version. 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 twelve different aircraft in a variety of schemes. Here’s a quick list:
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A-4N Wings of WittmundPublished:
Bob Sanchez and TwoBobs latest release is beautiful set of markings for the Hasegawa A-4N, which covers planes from Wittmund Germany owned by BAE systems. Curious about that? No problem- Twobobs has the following history included: "BAE Systems operates (6) ex-Israeli Air Force A-4N aircraft in Wittmund, Germany. These aircraft fly tow banner, Ground Control Intercept and Close Air Support training missions in support of NATO in Europe." There even more explanation on the decals sheet. The sheet contains markings for four white painted planes with numbers N431FS, N432FS, N434FS and N437FS. Markings are included to allow the making of two planes that look great in all white and their colorful markings. The remaining two planes that BAE also operates are… more |
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Horten Ho-229: Part 3 - The Big FinishPublished:
Last we spoke, the frames and interior were done and it was time to finish the plane off by adding the outer skin and finishing all the details. Prior to starting, I sprayed the top and some portions of the bottom RLM 02 as these are visible when the plane is complete. I quick test fit can show you which areas to paint. Starting with the center fuselage, the top is added and there are placement indents where the frame fits into the skin. Also, the engine covers are added at this time. As a side note, the skin is molded clear and you could leave it as is to see the superb interior detail. I next added the front section with the intakes and they matched up well. Take your time here and get a good fit so you don’t need putty. Mine dried a little crooked and it caused some issue later. In… more |
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 |