Bf-110E-2

Published: April 13, 2015
Company: Dragon Models

Are you familiar with Japanese Puzzle boxes, sometimes called “trick boxes” or “secret boxes”? A Puzzle box is a box that can only be opened through some “obscure or complicated series of manipulations”. The boxes contain a good luck charm and are designed to trick or confuse the person attempting to open them. Some require only a handful of movements in order to slide the various parts of the box into an “open” configuration, and some require hundreds of manipulations. Indeed, Japanese Puzzle Boxes are known for their complex and challenging design but they are also known for their intricate geometric patterns and their exquisite engineering and construction.

Dragon offers a “plastic model” version of the Puzzle Box in this Bf-110E-2 kit. The parts are exquisitely molded with… more

Cougar Trainers Decals

Published: March 17, 2015
Company: Furball Aero-Design

Furball Aero Design, in association with Detail & Scale, offers an expanding collection of decals for the modeler, and this set is designed to be used on the Kitty Hawk TF-9J Cougar. This review does not include any comments on the Kitty Hawk kit, but focuses solely on the Furball/D&S decals.

My initial response to the decals upon inspecting them was very positive. The decals are the result of much research and it shows. But then, that is a hallmark characteristic of Detail & Scale, which provided the research. The detail in the stenciling and markings is outstanding. I noted that the decals were printed by Cartograf and I have yet to have a problem with a Cartograf decal. Detail & Scale coupled with Cartograf printing? That’s a win-win.

The decals offer… more

Model Art No. 2 Mechanical Guide Bf-109E/T

Published: February 8, 2015
Company: Model Art

Model Art has, once again, produced another excellent publication, this particular product covering the Bf-109E/T. Entitled, “Bf-109E/T Mechanical Guide” one immediately sees the potential for detailed information and images regarding the Bf-109 from the viewpoint of a model builder who enjoys highlighting the existing detail to be found in kits, or enhancing those kits with added fiddly bits.

The publication offers a number of features which are as helpful in Japanese (the book is in Japanese) as it would be in English. No translation is required for the detail, color schemes, and markings to be understood and translated into one’s own “109” project.

Starting off with profile line drawings, the evolution of the “109” is illustrated with several pages of crisp, clean… more

Glue Applicator

Published: January 8, 2015
Company: Hauler

Hauler’s glue applicator will definitely get you into tight spaces with just the right amount of glue for tiny jobs. Handle this product just as you would any photo etched piece, removing the tips from the carrier sheet in the same manner as a photo etched part would be removed.

Hauler provides 17 single tips and 16 double tips in the product package.

To use the product, simply remove the tip from the carrier sheet and insert it in an Xacto Knife handle (the type that has a threaded collar that loosens and tightens down on the Xacto blade or, in this case the photo etch Hauler Glue tip.

The business end of the tip narrows down into two arms that have a slot in between which, when dipped into super glue, will hold a very small quantity of the adhesive in that… more

Airbrush Cleaning Kit

Published: December 26, 2014
Company: Iwata Medea

For many modelers the airbrush is one of the most significant tools that they possess, and it can also be one of the most finicky tools. If not kept clean then the airbrush will not provide the “quality” paint job for which it was purchased in the first place. We all have our accessories for cleaning these devices and I found a “cleaning set” by Iwata that combines a number of these tools into one package. Don’t tell the Iwata folks but I also use a Grex, a Badger, and a Passche, and I’ve found that the Iwata Cleaning Kit works on all of the airbrushes.

The price varies from around $20 to $28.95, the former being a “sale” price and the later being the MSRP. Do some shopping and you’ll find a low price. Also be aware that these items are popular and it is not uncommon to find… more

He-115B

Published: December 26, 2014
Company: Special Hobby

Special Hobby provided this kit to IPMS in August, 2013. “Real life” intervened and the original reviewer thought it best to return the item so another reviewer volunteer to take on the review. That process began in mid-October, 2014 and the kit was completed in mid-December, 2014.

Instruction Sheet

Error – Page 13, Shows two part “PUR 13”s. The upper illustration (Step 20) uses two arrows to indicate the correct placement of two rear-facing machine gun barrels. These barrels are centered on a small ridge formed by the trailing edge of the cowl where it fairs into the upper wing skin. The arrow showing the placement of the port-side barrel is in error. Both barrels should be centered on the aforementioned “ridge” on both the starboard and port sides. Further, machine… more

German Aircraft Instrument Panels, Vol. 1

Published: December 6, 2014
Book Author(s): Dariusz Karnas
Company: Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books

MMP Books has released Vol 1 (more to come!) in their “Inside” series, entitled, “German Aircraft Instrument Panels”

Volume 1 features instrument faces and instrument panel illustrations for six Luftwaffe aircraft, those being the Bf-109F-4, Bf-110E, Fi-156 Storch, Fw-190A-3, Hs-123, and the Ju-88A-4. In North America, Casemate is the distributor for MMP.

There are two main features that make this book very useful to modelers. First, the entire instrument panel for each of the six aircraft featured is provided in full color. Secondly, every single instrument seen in the panel illustration is also shown in a separate drawing. These drawings are quite large and are close to “actual size” of the instrument face and bezel. As an example, the clock shows a time of 3:57:35.… more

Beaufighter (Part 1) Airframe Stencil/Data Markings

Published: December 6, 2014
Company: Aviaeology

Please note that Aviaeology has a website that is currently under revision. Aviaeology requests that purchases be made thru their eBay store.

For those who have purchased decals from Aviaeology before, you are already aware of the high quality of their products, and you are also aware of the excellent documentation that Aviaeology provides to its customers.

For first-time buyers, here is a summary of the process followed by Aviaeology. At the time of this review the Aviaeology website is under renovation, so please go to their eBay store at https://www.ebay.ca/str/aviaeology. Once a purchase is made, an automatically generated email will appear in your inbox. Attached to that email will be the documentation portion that… more

Model Art - Air Model Special No. 07: IJA Type 3 Ki-61 Hien

Published: November 22, 2014
Company: Model Art

Model Art has published No.7 in the series labeled, “Air Model Special” and this issue focuses on the Ki-61 Hien.

Some 60 pages in this issue are dedicated to coverage a number of different kits of the Ki-61, by a variety of different kit manufacturers, and in multiple scales. The photography is stunning, but then that has long been a feature of Model Art publications. The workmanship displayed in the models is world class and the images provide an excellent resource for detailing, painting, and markings.

This issue, were it to offer nothing more than the excellent article on the Ki-61, would be worth the cost, but it also includes short articles on a number of other subjects.

Featured is an article entitled, “V/STOL, Part 1, First Flight 50th Anniversary Part 1… more

Model Art No. 06 Air Model Special

Published: November 2, 2014
Company: Model Art

Model Art has long set the standard for excellence when it comes to covering modeling subjects related to Japanese military history. The Model Art No. 06 publication is no exception, covering the Mitsubishi Zero variants.

The publication covers the A6M3, A6M5, A6M5 Night Fighter, A6M5C, A6M7, and A6M8. While coverage of the Zero variants dominates this issue, there are some other aircraft highlighted in some short “build” articles as well.

Beginning on page 96, Model Art changes the era of coverage from WWII to modern times with a great article on a 1/32^nd F-104J in JASDF markings. Eight pages filled with excellent images provides the reader with a visual “how to” for a natural metal paint scheme and some super detailing on the engine and in the cockpit.… more