Dick Montgomery
Reviews By Author
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Spitfire Mk. VII/VIIIPublished:
IntroductionThis Spitfire kit is a limited edition by Hasegawa and features new wingtip and canopy parts, plus decals for three RAF. planes. The Mk. VII and Mk. VIII versions had extended wingtips – rather pointed, actually – that allowed them to meet the Luftwaffe aircraft that had an operational advantage at higher altitudes. One of the therr schemes included on the decal sheet is that of Pierre Henri Clostermann, a French ace who scored over a dozen victories while flying the Mk. VII. It is Clostermann’s markings that were chosen for this review item. The Clostermann scheme, as previously mentioned, is one of three sets of markings on the decal sheet. The three selections are:
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Bf-109F Mechanical GuidePublished:
Model Art Modeling Magazine is one of the finest periodicals on the market. Each issue is a gold mine of high quality illustrations and imaging. In the case of this publication, the entire magazine focuses on the Bf-109F. The book features six sections, each focusing on a different aspect that is of interest to a hobbyist. Color profilesSome of the profiles featured color call-outs, identifying the RLM colors, by RLM number, being displayed. These profiles are also quite detailed as to markings, including some stenciling, that one will find on the airframe. Cockpit color illustrations of a Bf-109F-2 with color images of actual components from unrestored Bf-109FsSome of these images are of bits and pieces of unrestored… more |
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Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 35, Issue 5Published:
The June issue contains two Feature articles. Feature 1 is entitled, “Arthurian Legend” and is nine pages of images coupled with an excellent description of how Chris Fleet built his Airfix Agusta Westland Merlin HC3. Interestingly, Chris shares his use of copper wire to simulate detail within the model. Two pages of full-color images of a real Merlin add to the trove of detailed information that one can use when building this Airfix kit. Feature 2, by Neil Pinchbeck, covers the Revell Supermarine Stranraer in 1/72nd scale. Neil’s article covers how he dealt with the rigging (oh, those hated double stands!), cutting the canopy open, and adding rivet detail. Neil’s work is outstanding, both on the model itself and then within his article. The Aviation in Profile … more |
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Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 35, Issue 4Published:
The June issue features a build of the classic F4U-4 Corsair by HobbyBoss. This six-page article by Brian Wakeman will serve as an excellent reference for anyone wishing to build the F4U-4 early version. Brian’s article details the process he used to build the kit and then to weather the model. The end result is stunning. Brian includes a list of the supplies he used to achieve the spectacular results seen in the images. Brian’s article is immediately followed by a companion article by James Ashton. James uses the companion kit to HB’s #80386 Corsair, by using HB’s #80387 F4U-4 late. This article also provides a rich and detailed storyline of the build process. James weathered with acrylic over lacquer, separated by a coat of AKI fluid. The end result is a truly spectacular… more |
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Fokker D.VII (OAW)Published:
The D.VII is my first go at a Wingnut Wings (WNW) kit, and I chose it for several reasons. The D.VII is one of the most recognizable aircraft used in World War I, perhaps even more so than the Dr. I. That having been said, the most significant feature that put this kit above the other WNW offerings for me was the sparse rigging that would be required. I don’t mind rigging per se, having tackled a number of 1/48th kits that are fully rigged, but I did not want to make my initial WNW project any more difficult or complex than it needed to be by adding rigging to the process. I expected that the kit would present some challenges, especially since I am not a Master Modeler or anywhere near that level of skill. In fact, I consider myself to be a good modeler, but no more than just “… more |
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Lockheed P-38J-L Lightning by MMP BooksPublished:
MMPBooks (Mushroom Models Publishing) has a proven track record of offering some of the best publications on the market and this latest addition to the collection is no exception. Written by Robert Peczkowski and illsustrated by Artur Juszczak, this book is another example of the excellent publications coming from MMPBooks There are 33 books in the “Yellow Series”, featuring a wide range of aircraft from before WW II through the end of that conflict, and this book, featuring the Lockheed P-38J-L is a welcome addition becoming the 34th book in the series. MMPBooks offers a “preview” of the book online. Point your browser to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0FCm6RlzkA and watch the preview,… more |
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Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 35, Issue 3Published:
The May issue's Cover article features the new Xuntong Tu-2T in 48th scale. This feature article serves as an excellent resourse for those planning to build the Tu-2T. Author and builder Marco Preto presents an in-depth review of Xuntong’s first release. Marco’s workmanship and skill are evident in the text and accompanying images. The article is a “must read” for anyone who wishes to build the Tu-2T. This issue of SAM contains a “Feature Build” article and this particular article features the Wingnut Wings DH-2. Dai Williams does a fantastic job building up the WNW kit, sharing his techniques for shading and achieving a “translucent rib effect”. Being a fan of Wingnut Wings kits, and having one on the workbench at this time, I found Dai’s article timely and very… more |
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Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 35, Issue 2Published:
The April issue of SAM features some inspiring work, as well as provides some significant reference material. A regular contributor to SAM, Pete Mossong, along with fellow contributors Dave Wilson and Damon Edwards, provides an “Aviation in Profile” article covering the BAC 167 Strikemaster in RNZAF service. Filled with color images of the BAC 167 and supplemented with scale drawings and data, this 10-page article provides excellent reference material to the modeler wishing to build a Strikemaster. Featured in this issue are articles by Ioannis Giavasis and Massimo Santarossa. Giavasis tackles a classic Airfix kit, the Saab Viggen in 1/48th scale, while Santarossa builds the Great Wall P-61A, the second variant of the Black Widow by Great Wall. Both are… more |
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Rigging Turnbuckles for WWI AircraftPublished:
This product review will begin with a general introduction to GasPatch Models. GasPatch Models is located in Athens, Greece. GasPatch was founded in 2011 and produces plastic model kits and an excellent array of aftermarket parts intended for WWI aircraft subjects. One gets a sense of the professional nature of this enterprise by visiting the GasPatch website. The website is first-rate in appearance, navigation of the site is intuitive, and finding specific items is simple, easy, and quick. In a word…the site is an excellent site and reflects well on GasPatch as a company. At the time of this writing, GasPatch has three variants of the Salmson 2A2 in the planning stages, all in 1/48th scale. This review, however, focuses on some GasPatch products that are already… more |
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Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol. 35, Issue 1Published:
This issue represents a milestone for SAM. This is the inaugural issue for Volume 35. Thirty five years of providing a high quality publication to the modeling community is a momentous event and SAM deserves a “Well Done” for that remarkable achievement. Even if this issue were not the launch for Vol 35, it would have caught my attention immediately. There, on the cover, is one of my favorite modeling subjects. In any scale, the Ju-87 has always been an enjoyable project for me, and in 1/32nd, by Trumpeter, well, it just doesn’t get any better than that. In 9 pages of richly detailed text, Editor Jay Laverty shares the tools and techniques he used to produce an excellent model of the Ju-87B-2. Also featured in this issue is an article by Alex Kontevies.… more |