David Horn
Reviews By Author
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US Coast Guard HH-65C Dolphin HelicopterPublished:
Aircraft and HistoryThe HH-65C used by the US Coast Guard (USCG) is derived from the civilian Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin. The USCG selected this helicopter in 1979 and entered service in 1985.as a short range recovery Air-sear rescue helicopter. A total of 102 aircraft were manufactured and are still in service today. One distinctive feature of this aircraft is a “Fenestron” ducted fan anti-torque tail. This design improves safety for crews and the airframe itself from tail rotor strikes. The HH-65C carries a crew of 4 which consist of a pilot, copilot, flight mechanic and rescue swimmer. In addition to search and rescue, the aircraft tis also used for homeland security patrols, cargo/drug interdiction, ice breaking and pollution control. KitTrumpeter issued… more |
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Hawk T MK.1A Pitot TubePublished:
Quickboost is well known for their fine resin details and plenty to choose from. The Hawk pitot tubes are typical of them with fine details that are difficult if not impossible to produce with injection molding. There are three Pitot tubes provided so if you do not break them, one set will allow you build three kits. The tubes come in a plastic bag with while the pour block (sprue) contains supports to protect the fine parts. Compared to the Hobby Boss (HB) kit parts, the QB parts have a more defined shape including the various tapers and tip of the probe.. The kit part has a very “blunt” tip where the QB tip is tapered and well defined. Quickboost is known for exquisite detail on all of their update sets and this review sample is no exception. I would like to thank… more |
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AH-64D Apache "Block II Version - Early"Published:
Aircraft and HistoryThe AH-64 was developed for the Advanced Attack Helicopter back in the mid 1970’s and was to replace the AH-1 Cobra. First flown in 1975 and introduced into the US Army in 1986, the aircraft had many upgrades since then it’s introduction. The “D” version or “Longbow” increased the helicopters lethality and situational awareness. The most noticeable addition to the Delta model is a mast mounted radar located above the main rotor. With the radar above the rotor, it allows the Apache to detect targets while remaining behind cover. The main rotor shaft is hollow which allows a fixed shaft to extend through the hollow rotor which allows the attachment of the radar. Other enhancements include a “glass” cockpit, advanced sensors and upgraded engines. Most if not… more |
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F4U-4 Corsair Wheel BayPublished:
This F4U-4 Corsair wheel bay update set is packaged in the typical Aires fashion, coming in a sturdy plastic package with foam backing, and instructions tucked in between the cardboard back and plastic. My first impression was of how crisp the detail is on the wheel bays, as well as the gear doors. Mold release agent is non-existent; however, I still recommend washing the resin before use. Compared to the Hobby Boss kit parts, which are decent, the Aires wheel bays are very sharp and have more details, such as more pronounced ribs and wiring. The landing gear door’s interior and exterior surfaces show very few differences between the Hobby Boss kit parts and the Aires replacements, with the exception of the superior detail on the interior surface of Aires’ small forward landing… more |
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F4U-4 Corsair Cockpit SetPublished:
This F4U-4 Corsair cockpit set is packaged in the typical Aires style, coming in a sturdy plastic package with foam backing, along with instructions tucked in between the cardboard back and plastic. My first impression was of how crisp the detail is on the cockpit sidewalls and bulkheads. Also included is a photo etch fret and colored instruments on clear plastic. Mold release agent is non-existent on the parts; however, I still recommend washing the resin before use. Compared to the Hobby Boss kit parts, the Aires cockpit has better details, such as fine switch knobs and buttons. The kit’s cockpit floor is constructed with two levels, allowing for a large opening which the control stick passes through to the lower level. Aires’ replacement cockpit is one level, with a canvas-… more |
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F-4C Phantom II “Vietnam”Published:
Aircraft and HistoryThe F-4 Phantom II was originally developed for the United States Navy and made its first flight on 27 May 1958. Exactly 5 years later, the first USAF Phantom II flew and that version was the F-4C. These early Phantoms did not have an internal gun which was an issue in close combat and when the missiles were unreliable. This kit represents Col Robin Olds aircraft as it appears in the National Museum of the US Air Force and the box art shows the phantom during Operation “Bolo” on 2 January 1967. During “Operation Rolling Thunder”, F-105 fighter bombers (heavily loaded) were being attacked by North Vietnamese Mig-21 fighters and sustaining high losses of F-105’s. In response to these attacks, Col Olds devised… more |
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Focke Wulf FW200 C-3 CondorPublished:
Aircraft and HistoryThe Focke-Wulf Fw-200 Condor was originally developed as a long range airliner in the late 1930’s . With it’s success as an airliner, the military noticed its capabilities. The Luftwaffe made good use of the new airframe. The Fw-200 was used as a VIP transport, a maritime torpedo bomber and with the addition of internal fuel tanks, a long range maritime patrol aircraft. KitThis kit is basically a scaled down version of their 1/48 scale kit which has all the remarkable detail reproduced in a smaller scale. The bulk of the detail is inside the fuselage, however most of that detail is hidden once the fuselage halves are assembled. The main landing gear is highly detailed and almost a small kit in itself. All of the flight control surfaces… more |
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Focke Wulf FW 190D-10Published:
Aircraft and HistoryThe Focke-Wulf Fw-190 series aircraft may be the best German fighter aircraft in WWII. Developed by Kurt Tank in the late 1930’s, it proved itself in combat over France in 1941. The first Fw-190’s had a radial engine but later on, an inverted V-12 engine was installed and the Fw-190D series was born. This subject, Fw-190D-10 is an interesting subject, only two prototypes were produced and the D-10 did not make it to production. Many of the featured used on the D-10 were later used on the TA 152. KitThis kit has superb detail inside and out. Cockpit detail is nice and some photo etch is provided. The real gem is inside the wheel bays, you can see the back of the engine and super charger components. All of the control surfaces except the… more |
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Jaguar A Electronic BayPublished:
This update set is typical Aires, coming in a sturdy plastic package with foam backing and instructions tucked between the cardboard back and plastic. First impression – how crisp the detail is on the electronics bay as well as the access doors. Mold release is non-existent; however, I still recommend washing the resin before use. Compared to the Kitty Hawk kit parts, the Aires bay is much deeper than the kit bay, which is very shallow. The kit part features are very crude while the Aires set has far more detail and is very sharp. The kit’s access doors exteriors do not look much different from Aires’ except for the air inlet scoop. The inside of the doors is where the update really shines. There is no detail in the Kitty Hawk parts, while the Aires doors have very fine detail… more |
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Jaguar A Pitot TubePublished:
Quickboost’s replacement pitot for Kitty Hawk’s Jaguar A come packaged in a thin plastic sleeve, protected by additional reinforcement ribs. You get three pitot tubes which should last you for a few kits unless you lose one of these little gems. Compared to the Kitty Hawk kit parts, the Quickboost replacement has a slight improvement on detail, and there is not a seam or ejector pin marks that exists anywhere on the Kitty Hawk part. The most noticeable difference is the base of the tube where it flares into the radome. The Kitty Hawk part is oddly shaped, where the Quickboost part is more symmetrical and slightly longer. Quickboost is known for exquisite detail on all of their update sets and this review sample is no exception. I would like to thank both Quickboost and… more |