Ladder for SU-27

Published: October 29, 2016
Company: Plusmodel

Plus Model, maker of fine detailed aftermarket products, just produced a ladder for the Russian SU-27 Flanker. What is unique about this item is that it is injection molded instead of resin or photo etch that other companies make. Although this does require some assembly, being able to make fine adjustments to better fit the various kits is a real bonus.

The kit comes in a sturdy box and the sprue is in a suitable plastic bag. The instructions are printed on the back of the box and are basic but sufficient to assist your build. The 15 parts have minimal flash which cleans up easily. There are eight steps with a small recess which are likely through holes on the real step. Note that the pattern is not symmetric and the instructions do not indicate what direction they go. Just… more

Ladder for F-4 Phantom II

Published: October 27, 2016
Company: Plusmodel

Plus model, maker of fine detailed aftermarket products, just produced a ladder for the McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom II. What is unique about this item is that it is injection molded instead of resin or photo etch that other companies make. Although this does require some assembly, being able to make fine adjustments to better fit the various kits is a real bonus.

The kit comes in a sturdy box and the sprue is in a suitable plastic bag. The instructions are printed on the back of the box and are basic but sufficient to assist your build. I am not sure if the parts layout changed from previous releases but instructions indicate the steps (rungs) are separate parts but that is not so with what is on the sprue. That is very good since I can image how difficulty it would be to… more

LAU-3 Launcher with Rockets

Published: July 25, 2016
Company: Videoaviation

Videoaviation is new to me and once I received the sample for review, I am wondering why I have not seen their fine aftermarket resin sets. Packaged in a sturdy plastic box, resin is protected by bubble wrap with all parts flash free and cast in light tan resin. A nice touch is the pour block on the pod is on the underside opposite the side on where it connects to the pylon. This makes it easy to remove that portion and sand contour without damaging features.

There are two choices on rocket types so take notes on what version you are modeling. These parts can easily be sanded free of the pour base. Instructions show to add lugs to the top but the sample already has these cast in simplifying the assembly however the lugs are very delicate and mine were broken. Not a problem if… more

LAU-32 Launcher with Rockets

Published: June 29, 2021
Company: Videoaviation

Videoaviation is new to me and once I received the sample for review, I am wondering why I have not seen their fine aftermarket resin sets. Packaged in a sturdy plastic box, resin is protected by bubble wrap with all parts flash free and cast in light tan resin. A nice touch is the pour block on the pod is on the underside opposite the side on where it connects to the pylon. This makes it easy to remove that portion and sand contour without damaging features.

There are simply two parts to assemble , pod and exhaust plume deflector. Looking at reference photos, the plume deflector may be an option so check your references if you even need that part. Both parts can easily be sanded free of the pour base. Instructions show to add lugs to the top but the sample already has these… more

M-117 GP Bomb (750 lb)

Published: June 29, 2021
Company: Videoaviation

Videoaviation is new to me and once I received the sample for review, I am wondering why I have not seen their fine aftermarket resin sets. Packaged in a sturdy plastic box, resin is protected by bubble wrap. The forward bomb part, fuse and lugs are flash free but the aft section with fins have a very fine mold line that can easily be sanded. Parts are cast in light tan resin. A nice touch is the pour block on the pod is on the underside opposite the side on where it connects to the pylon. This makes it easy to remove that portion and sand contour without damaging features. There are simply four parts to assemble , front & aft sections, fuse and lugs(2). Decals are included with yellow text and clear background

Assembly, painting and decals was fairly smooth however… more

Modern Cockpit Dataplate and Warning Decals

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: Airscale Model Aircraft Enhancements

Applications

Airscale, as usual is a leader in making cockpit enhancing products and this is a new product to their line. Finally the modern cockpit has been addressed with these decals allowing a modeler to get just the right look of warning markings and dataplates. Trying to paint the cross hatch lines of two colors is extremely difficult and these decals make it easy to do so. There are also tri-color (black/white/yellow) markings in the selection. In addition to the striped markings, dataplates for the sidewalls and for ejection seats are also provided. There is a little surprise and a real bonus in this set, a legend giving the name of each placard and warning type.

Conclusion

This may be the latest release but I am sure there will be some new decals… more

Modern Cockpit Instrument Decals

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: Airscale Model Aircraft Enhancements

Applications

Airscale, as usual is a leader in making cockpit enhancing products and this is a new product to their line. Finally the modern cockpit has been addressed with these decals allowing a modeler to get just the right look of electronic flight displays and round instruments. Included on the electronic displays are the bezel buttons surrounding the bezel. The modelers would have to remove any raised buttons if retaining this portion or simply cut the display portion out and paint the buttons.

There is a little surprise and a real bonus in this set, a legend giving the name of each instrument type. Usually if you look close enough you can guess here but this is taken care of with this nice feature.

Conclusion

This may be the latest release but… more

Hawk T Mk.1A Control Lever

Published: February 21, 2016
Company: Quickboost

The parts are packaged in a thin plastic sleeve, and the resin is protected by additional reinforcement ribs. Four control levers (sticks) are provided, but the kit requires only two.

Compared to the Hobby Boss (HB) kit parts, the Quickboost (QB) has great improvement on detail over the HB part. The most noticeable difference is the grip shape itself giving crisp detail and accurate contours. Another area of improvement is the grip pivot (roll) accurately replicating that unique pivot. The HB part is very basic where the QB part has finer detail as well as small wiring provided in the casting.

Aires/Quickboost is known for exquisite detail on all of their update sets and this review sample is no exception. I would like to thank Aires for this review sample.

Civilian Pilots

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: PJ Production

Typically aftermarket figures, especially pilots tend to be for military aircraft. PJ Production has provided an option for those who wish to add a pilot to civilian type aircraft.

The product contains three figures of two different styles. All three are wearing headsets and dressed in dress clothes including a tie. One of the three is wearing sun glasses as well as two arm options. The other two do not have sun glasses and the left arm is attached with hand on the left leg. All three do not offer head options and are cast on the body. A very slight flash is on the figures which is simply brushed away and detail is nice and crisp.

Test fit is in the 1/72 Roden C-123 provider. Figure parts will need to be adjusted slightly too clear parts such is control column.

… more

US Military Pilot

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: PJ Production

Many of the US fighter pilot figures are depicting older style safety equipment like helmets and oxygen masks. PJ production released a nice version of current military “fast jet” pilot with a Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) and Gentex MBU-20 oxygen mask.

The product contains a single pilot figure and is marketed to work with F-16 or F-18 aircraft but after test fitting, it can be used in the F-15 as well. As with most figures, there may be places that need to be altered. When test fitting, the legs would need to be separated slightly to fit around center instrument panel and knees bent to rest on the rudder pedals. Some seats may also require the torso to be adjusted to fit the seat but nothing to great, just small adjustments. With all the variations of kits out… more