Dave Morrissette
Reviews By Author
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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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USMC SNJ-3 1942 DecalsPublished:
Monograms' AT-6/SNJ kit has been around for quite a while. The plane trained many flyers and was used for many years with some still being flyable to this day. Yellow Wings, who specializes in decals for planes between 1930 and 1942 has come out with a new set for USMC SNJ-3's from 1942. Included in the package are two complete decals sheets with markings, color bands and insignia for two aircraft. They are printed by Microscale and have great color and register. Wing Walks are also included for both aircraft. Next is a full color sheet showing the color and markings along with aircraft performance. Lastly, there is the info sheet detailing the history, band information, prop color info and more along with a guide to specific paints. The planes represents on this sheets… more |
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Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 36, Issue 10Published:
Each issue of Scale Aircraft Modeling has the same basic design and format. That's not a bad thing as it is jam packed with superb aircraft builds and tips. In this issue, there are five feature articles, an Aviation in Profile piece, and seven Compact Build Reviews. The Feature articles for this issue start with DAI Williams build of Wingnut Wings 1/32 Fokker D.VII. Mr. Williams covers how to make single color areas less drab and add contrast. He also used Albion Alloys thread, Bob's Buckles turnbuckles and AVIATTIC lozenge decals to improve the kit. Next up is James Ashton's build of the newer Revell 1/32 Spitfire Mk. II. He gives it the full meal deal with Barracuda cast everything and spends a lot of time getting the finish just right on this heavily weathered plane… more |
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5 Gallon Waste Oil Drain TankPublished:
Aerobonus continues its run of diorama/aftermarket add on sets with a 5 gallon waste oil drain tank. The set consists of 5 resin parts and decals and is perfectly formed with no flash or air bubbles. There is one choice to be made and that is with the high or low fill spout. I cut the main pail and dump pan free with a razor saw and the cur the handle and the low fill support free with nippers and cleaned all of it up very gently with sanding sticks. Some care is needed as the handle is very fragile. All that was required then was to super glue the support, the pan and handle on the main pail. I primed with Alclad gray and let it dry overnight. The directions called for a red pail and support and I painted these Insignia Red. The pan was painted silver and the decal… more |
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FOD BucketsPublished:
Need a little something to spice up that 1/48 scale plane on its base? Aerobonus to the rescue with a set of four FOD (foreign object debris) buckets. The set is one casting of four buckets with a piece of wire to form the handles and decals. Assembly is basic with the modeler cutting the bucket free and adding the handle. I did use a drill and pin vise to open the handle holes slightly. Cut the wire and bend like a handle and your done. the color call put is for blue grey. I used medium blue gray from Testors and then gloss coated for the decals. The decals come in white or black lettering and I chose the white and they went on well. A quick flat coat and then paint the handle silver and we're done. Just that quick and easy. The set is simple, well made and would make… more |
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Boarding Ladder for Mig-21Published:
If you like to build your planes as they would be just before a flight, one problem has always been to get a decent pilot boarding ladder. Some have come out but have been all photoetch and delicate. Plusmodel to the rescue! They have recently released a series of 1/48th scale boarding ladders for several planes. This one if for a Mig-21 and could be used with either the Eduard or Academy kits and it is INJECTION MOLDED!!!!! This set comes with three large parts, one cross brace, two wheels and two pads for setting against the plane, a total of eight pieces in styrene. They are very finely made and scale well to the correct plane. Being delicate, the parts take a little finesse. I cut the three large parts and gave them a quick sand to eliminate small mold lines. I added Tenex… more |