F-16I Sufa Part 1

Published: March 4, 2022
Company: Academy Models

Modelers rejoice! Finally, a 2-seat F-16 in 1/32nd scale! Academy comes to the table with an F-16I Sufa. The Sufa (Storm) is the Israeli Air Forces advanced tactical aircraft based on the Block 52 F-16’s. Visual differences between standard F-16’s and the Sufa include the addition of avionics in an enhanced spine and conformal fuel tanks.

On to the kit. Many of the kits parts are shared with Academy’s first release. I know some modelers had issues with the cockpit/coaming and nose on the first kit and Academy has listened and addressed those issues.

Inside the box, you get 18 sprues basically containing the entire first kit (minus the original fuselage) plus sprues for the CFT’s and new nose, complete new tool fuselage plus brass AOA and pitot probes, and a sheet of… more

Reaper Miniatures Master Series Paint Set #6

Published: October 11, 2010
Company: Reaper Miniatures

I have to admit that I am a paint addict. Part of it might be that I build every type of model and part of it is looking for that perfect paint. As I was reading another modeling publication, there was a nice ad for Reaper Miniatures and their line of paints and figures. For those who are unaware, Reaper Miniatures produces metal figures for use in RPG or role playing games and sells all the associated things needed such as paint. When Ed Pugh and Reaper offered to let IPMS review their paints, I was chomping at the bit to put these through trials on figures.

What arrived were 20 six bottle trial sets of Reaper Master Paints and one of the Master Paint Series sets- Number 6 to be exact filled with 100 plus bottles of painting delight. The first question is what would I try it… more

Millennium Falcon

Published: January 15, 2010
Company: Fine Molds

Yes, I love Star Wars- I have since I saw the first movie in a theater when it came out in 1977 (yikes). In 2001, Finemolds and their president Kunihiro Suzuki starting issuing intricately detailed and very well researched replicas of the craft from Star Wars. They jumped through X-Wings, Tie Fighters, and topped it off with the 2006 release of the 1/72 Millennium Falcon. This kit, which is currently OOP, had a massive parts count of 900 and detail that makes it one of the best kits of all time. The kit cost well over $200 when released (I know, as I am one of the guys that bought one). Last I saw, the collector price was pushing $300. These are expensive, long projects to build but in the end one is rewarded with a stunning replica. They are also now hard to come by except for E-Bay.… more

USS Enterprise NCC-1701

Published: January 15, 2010
Company: Polar Lights

Space, the final frontier…..these are the voyages… Whoops, digressing already. To most people, these words are very familiar as they are the opening of the original Star Trek TV show. Polar Lights has come out with a nice snap together kit of the original USS Enterprise. The kit is loaded with options and is targeted for both kids and the causal builder. There are over 50 pieces made from clear and white styrene along with a very comprehensive decals sheet and stickers. You can make four versions of the Enterprise from the kit. First, the ship as was seen in most 78 episodes of the series. Second, the first pilot version, third, the second pilot version and lastly Mirror Universe show. The main differences are the nacelles and the decals. There are three separate sets of warp nacelles… more

Forbidden Planet Robbie the Robot

Published: January 1, 2009
Company: Polar Lights

As a fan of 1950’s movies and SciFi in general, I consider Robbie to be the most famous robot of all time. I wanted one for the collection. I also wanted to do one from his 1st appearance, which was in the 1956 MGM picture "Forbidden Planet." When this kit was first issued by Polar Lights, I missed the boat. So I was on it when Round2 Models brought back this classic!

Inside the long Aurora-style box was approximately 50 parts including: a single part base, chrome sprue for the pieces and parts, clear parts for the voice area and head details, and several sprues of dark metallic gray parts. I started preparing to build by watching my copy of the movie and searching the Internet where I stumbled on this picture:

This is one of the original movie posters and shows… more