Wheels for the Nieuport 28

Published: February 10, 2020
Company: Scale Spokes

A quick word about the images included in this review. The wheels sets with the covers (hiding the spokes and the rim) are the original kit wheels. All other items in the images are included in the Scale Spokes product.

Scale Spokes offers a number of high-quality after-market items for 1/48^th and 1/32^nd wheels for various aircraft. To see a full list, description of each item, and images please visit the Scale Spokes website.

This review features the 32nd scale set for the Nieuport 28. This set is hand-made, and as I’m sure you’ll agree after having viewed the accompanying images, is magnificent! Just like the actual wheels on the Ni-28, these Scale Spokes items have 3 set of spokes. A set connects the inner and outer edges of the hub and another… more

Aces High Aircraft Modeling Magazine, Issue 2

Published: October 27, 2014
Company: AK Interactive

AK Interactive offers a wide variety of items for the modeler, from paint and weathering sets and books, to model kits. The website is easy to navigate and offers a button to provide an “English” translation. Another button offers a currency exchange calculator from Euros (the posted pricing) to US dollars.

AK is on Facebook and has a You-Tube presence. To quote the AK You-Tube link, “AK's Official Youtube Channel (will) show Advanced Techniques, Tutorials, Tips & Tricks and many more things. Currently working on it :-)”

AK provided a copy of “Ace High” Issue No.2 for review. This issue focuses on aircraft of World War I, being labeled a “Centenary” edition. Also included are three additional articles featuring a set of figures, a truck, and a piece of… more

Gear and Struts for Wingnut Wings Fokker D.VII

Published: October 20, 2014
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

This set includes the main gear struts & axle, tail skid, "N" struts and rear cabane struts.

As you can see in one of the images accompanying this review, SAC has numbered its parts with the same number as used by WNW to identify the kit parts.

This review came about because of a very unfortunate “hard landing” by my WNW D.VII as it was being prepared to travel to a local model contest. The model was being removed from its Display Case when it was dropped. The free fall was only about 3 or 4 inches but, as you can see by the accompanying images, the upper wing came off, the undercarriage broke away from the fuselage, and several of the struts were snapped, either somewhere alone their length or at the locating pin which, unfortunately, remained embedding in the wing… more

Model Art - Air Model Special No. 06: IJN Zero Carrier Fighter II

Published: August 29, 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. Model Art No. 06 is no exception, covering the Mitsubishi Zero variants, such as 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 scale F-104J in JASDF markings. Eight pages filled with excellent images provide the reader with a visual “how-to” for a natural-metal paint scheme and some super detailing on the engine and in the cockpit.

The new Freedom Models 1/48 scale UCAS X-… more

Glue Looper

Published: August 23, 2014
Company: Creative Dynamic LLC

How does one apply glue in a small area with maximum control over the quantity applied and with precise application? Glue Looper has provided a tool that addresses both location and quantity.

Please note that Glue Looper provides very clear and specific instructions for the use of the product, so you won’t see a lengthy repeat of those instructions in this review. Also, please note that Glue Looper provides a “how to” video on their website. We all know that a picture, in this case a “moving picture,” is worth a thousand words, so take advantage of this video prior to using Glue Looper. Go to https://www.creativedynamicllc.com to view the video.

Just a few words about the video, around second 37 you will note that the modeler… more

Aces High Aircraft Modeling Magazine, Issue 2

Published: August 13, 2014
Company: AK Interactive

AK Interactive offers a wide variety of items for the modeler, from paint and weathering sets, to books, to model kits. The website is easy to navigate and offers a button to provide an “English” translation. Another button offers a currency exchange calculator from Euros (the posted pricing) to US dollars.

AK is on Facebook and has a YouTube presence. To quote the AK YouTube link, “AK's Official YouTube Channel (will) show Advanced Techniques, Tutorials, Tips & Tricks and many more things. Currently working on it :-)”

AK provided a copy of Aces High issue No.2 for review. This issue focuses on aircraft of World War I, being labeled a “Centenary” edition. Also included are three additional articles featuring a set of figures, a truck, and a piece of… more

Clear Colors

Published: August 6, 2014
Company: AK Interactive

AK Interactive provides a set of three clear colors in this set. AK 267 Clear Orange, AK 265 Clear Red, and AK 266 Clear Green. These colors are perfect for navigation lights on aircraft, turn signals on cars, lighting on armor, lighting and windows on spacecraft, and even jewerly on figures.

In tests, all three colors did precisely what AK advertised they would do. When applied, the end product is a very realistic approximation of a color tinted bulb, or light cover. AK states that a new formula prevents the issue of a ring or rim of “Paint” around the area to which the colors are applied, and my tests verify this claim.

These tests consisted of the application of each color on an un-prepared plastic surface. In some tests I applied each color to the tip of a thread of… more

Landing Gear Weathering and Wash Materials

Published: July 7, 2014
Company: AK Interactive

AK Interactive offers a wide variety of items for the modeler, from paint and weathering sets and books, to model kits. The website is easy to navigate and offers a button to provide an “English” translation. Another button offers a currency exchange calculate from Euros (the posted pricing) to US dollars.

AK is on Facebook and has a You-Tube presence. To quote the AK You-Tube link, “AK's Official Youtube Channel (will) show Advanced Techniques, Tutorials, Tips & Tricks and many more things. Currently working on it :-)”

AK provided IPMS-USA their Aircraft Landing Gear Weathering Set, AK 2030, to review and I was pleased to take on this review. The AK 2030 set contains 3 bottles of “wash and weathering” liquids.

AK says this about their AK Landing… more

Spitfire Mk. XIV Landing Gear

Published: July 6, 2014
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

I am a fan of Scale Aircraft Conversions gear, having used a number of SAC gear sets on previous projects. I do not replace the kit gear because they are of poor quality, but rather, the SAC gear are much stronger than the plastic kit parts, and require far less clean-up. It is the strength of the metal SAC parts that I particularly like.

Clean up on the SAC gear usually can be accomplished, when necessary, by a few swipes of an X-Acto blade which removes any mold steps. SAC gear can be primed and then shot with the same colors one would use on the plastic parts. In fact, the painting process for SAC gear is the same as for the kit parts.

SAC parts fit extremely well. In fact, the gear seen in the accompanying images were photographed prior to being glued into place.… more

Vostok Orbital Launch Vehicle

Published: May 29, 2014
Company: Round 2 Models

Last released in 1970 by MPC, Round2 has re-issued this classic kit. You may remember that the original MPC kit had parts for the flying version. I remember the cardboard tube for the central rocket cylinder used to hold a small rocket motor, thinking that the plastic parts would not survive more than just one launch. I never put that to the test and I still have that original 1970 MPC kit sitting in my display case.

The Round2 release does not have those parts for a flying model, although the launch rail brackets are still present. There are some other items still in the box from its “flying” days but they can be ignored.

During this project I did not fill seams and I did not conduct any research to achieve an accurate paint scheme. I sanded down the more obvious “… more