David Wrinkle
Reviews By Author
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B4N2 Type 97 Kate Landing Gear (for 1/35 Border)Published:
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has a long history of creating great metal drop-in replacement landing gear for scale model aircraft. This set is for the 1/35 scale Border models B5N2 Kate. You can see in the review photos a side-by-side comparison of the kit gear and the replacement gear set. They are a spot-on match. Given the size of the model, it will benefit from a stronger set of metal gear legs. In the blister pack you will find (2 each) main gear legs with associated scissor links as well as a tail wheel bracket. Like the kit polystyrene counterparts, you will want to start the prep process by removing any seam lines and gently straightening any bends introduced during the shipping process. Prep the parts with a metal-compatible primer and paint with your favorite hobby… more |
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SBD-3 Dauntless Instrument PanelPublished:
I have a Flyhawk SBD in the stash and it’s near the top of my build list but for the moment is on hold. I thought this wonderful panel replacement from Yahu Models would fit the bill. The panel replacement set comes with photoetch replacement for the pilot’s instrument panel and what I believe is an accessory for the cockpit. Yahu doesn’t indicate where it is used. Assembly is straightforward. Carefully remove the photoetch parts with a sharp hobby blade on a firm hard surface to avoid bending the metal parts. Once removed, the parts are ready to rock in the cockpit. Flyhawk’s Dauntless has a nicely detailed raised panel, but it lacks any sort of decal(s) to spice up the cockpit. In order to use the Yahu photoetch, the raised detail will need to be sanded smooth before… more |
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TBF-1 Avenger Instrument PanelPublished:
I have a Hasegawa TBF in the stash and it’s near the top of my build list and I thought this wonderful panel replacement from Yahu Models would fit the bill. The panel replacement set comes with photo etch replacement for the pilot’s instrument panel and side controls (Right). Assembly is straightforward. Carefully remove the photo etch parts with a sharp hobby blade on a firm hard surface so as to avoid bending the metal parts. Only the front panel requires gluing, as the lower center and side photo etch parts need only to be folded. Sadly, I don’t have the Sword Avenger but I do have access to photos of the kit contents. Sword doesn’t provide decals for the instrument panel, but the panel has raised detail. The Hasegawa kit provides decals for the instrument panel, but… more |
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E8N1/2 Dave Instrument PanelPublished:
I’ve been looking forward to building my namesake for a while now and jumped at the chance to take a look at this wonderful panel replacement from Yahu Models. The panel replacement set comes with photoetch replacement panels for both the front and rear cockpits and as well as the aft panel in the rear cockpit.
Assembly is straightforward, carefully remove the photoetch parts with a sharp hobby blade on a firm hard surface so as to avoid bending the metal parts. I sprayed gloss clear over the backing parts and matt gloss over the front cover prior to gluing the parts to each other. The gloss gives the illusion of glass over the instruments. At the same time the aft panel receives only a coat of matt clear.
The Hasegawa kit is about 10 years old now and like… more |
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Solo WargamingPublished:
Publishers’ description: This practitioner's guide to solo wargaming offers comprehensive coverage of the subject, showing how it can be a fascinating complement to social gaming or an entire hobby in its own right. This book integrates ideas from across the hobby to discuss various aspects of gaming alone across all manner of conflicts, whether land, sea or air and in any historical period or imagined setting. Starting with the fundamental question of why people play solo wargames, David Heading lays out the various advantages and disadvantages. He also considers such questions as whether to ‘play both sides’ or to command one army against an ‘automatic’ opponent, giving various ideas on how to control or programme the responses of the opposing force with dice, cards or by other… more |
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Parseval-Sigsfeld German Observation Balloon "Drachen"Published:
I’ll be honest, I never expected a Great War balloon kit and boy was I surprised to see this kit up for review. The kit consists of a small sprue of polystyrene parts, a left and right balloon halve (polystyrene), a sheet of photoetch balloon basket lines and a decal sheet. Oh, the best part for those of you how enjoy making dioramas, the kit includes a set of 40 each 3D printed figures in various poses. Wow! You will probably need to take advantage included polystyrene model stand. Construction is very straight-forward beginning with the two balloon halves. I found the molding very well done and the fit was very good as well. The plastic of the two balloon halves is quite thick, but I think that helps in the grand scheme of things. Even with the great fit, it will be necessary… more |
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JMSDF Harushio Class SubmarinePublished:
Upfront, I want to upfront thank Hobby Boss for producing this kit and MRC for providing it for a review sample. Likewise, I would like to extend to the IPMS/USA a big thank you for allowing me to review the Hobby Boss JMSDF Harushio class submarine. BackgroundJS Harushio was laid down at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard on 21 April, 1987 as the 1986 plan 2400-ton submarine No. 8098 and it was launched on 26 July, 1989. She was commissioned on 30 November 1990 and homeported in Kure. She belonged to the 5th Submarine of the 1st Submarine Group. She was decommissioned on 27 March, 2009. The total journey until her removal was 243,000 nautical miles (about 11.2 laps of the earth). Her submerged duration was about 27,000 hours, and the number of dives… more |
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SBD Dauntless Resin Replacement WheelsPublished:
Upfront, I want to thank Brengun for providing outstanding aftermarket bits for our beloved model kits, and to IPMS USA a big thank you for allowing me to review the Brengun resin replacement wheels. Today’s review represents resin replacement for any 1/72 SBD dauntless kits. This set includes two (2) pair of resin weighted wheels each pair having a different pattern along with one pair of photo-etch wheel covers. As always with this type of model detail set, check your resources for the correct pattern to use on your kit. I’ve included comparison photos with the Flyhawk 1/72 Dauntless kit. Like other resin wheels you will most likely have to drill out the hole in the wheels to match the diameter of the kit’s axle size. For a very reasonable amount of money, Brengun provides… more |
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TBF/TBM Avenger Landing Gear (Hasegawa)Published:
Upfront, I want to thank Scale Aircraft Conversions for providing outstanding aftermarket bits for our beloved model kits, and to IPMS USA a big thank you for allowing me to review the Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) metal gear. Today’s review represents a direct drop-in replacement for the 1/72 Hasegawa Avenger TDM/TDF line of kits. This set includes five (5) parts to include: both main gear legs and their accompanying pistons, and the tail wheel for the Hasegawa kit. SAC specializes in white metal replacement landing gear parts. In my humble opinion, their landing gear is the only way to go to both provide strength for larger heavier kits and dealing with spindly, fiddly smaller kit gear legs. The SAC gear is far more forgiving than plastic gear legs and has the wonderful… more |
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RF-4E Phantom II, JASDF 501st Tactical Reconnaissance SquadronPublished:
It had to end eventually. After nearly a 40-year run in the Japanese Air Self Defense Force’s (JASDF) venerable Phantoms were finally retired in 2020. Several model companies re-released their RF-4 / F-4 kits to commemorate the myriad of markings worn by these Phinal Phantoms at the end of their JASDF careers. Platz was no exception and one such release included the RF-4E Recce Phantom with the forest camouflage. Markings for 3 different machines in the squadron were included in the kit. The cockpit is first on up the plate and with the size of the kit, the pilot’s office is represented reasonably well. With the ‘pit compete, its time to bring the fuselage halves together along with the air intakes and wing. The plans have you place the air intakes on first and then the wing. A… more |