Dick Montgomery
Reviews By Author
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Badger MODELflex Color SetsPublished:
After receiving them for review from Badger, I was very pleasantly surprised at the ease of use and quality of these paint sets. For years, I was a Gunze Guy but the supply of Gunze dried up. I transferred to Tamiya and have used it since the Gunze sunset. I had never used Badger paint until I was given the opportunity to review some of Badger’s paint contained in some of their color sets. Being an HO scale model railroader, I was very interested in Badger’s “RAILROAD ROLLING STOCK #1701,” which contains Engine Black, Reefer White, Reefer Gray, Reefer Yellow, Reefer Orange, Dark Tuscan Oxide Red, and Light Tuscan Oxide Red. I am now a fan of this particular set of paints and, in particular, like the Engine Black and Tuscan Oxide Red. Both are easily airbrushed and give that… more |
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Model Art Modeling Magazine, #846, June 2012Published:
For those who are familiar with Model Art Modeling Magazine, it never disappoints and the June 2012 issue is not an exception. The quality of the images and the wide range of subject matter covered is a hallmark for this magazine. Keep in mind that the publication is printed in Japanese but, as we all know, “a single picture is worth one thousand words” regardless of the language. This issue begins with a stunning diorama entitled, “Mogami’s Broken Beak”. Using a Tamiya Mikuma, a Pitroad Akashi (Repair Ship), a Fujimi kit of a Japanese naval special auxiliary tanker, and a Hasegawa Japanese sub, this diorama shows a very busy day in the life of the repair crews and their vessels as they struggled to repair the damaged Mogami. This diorama is absolutely fantastic! … more |
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Badger Renegade Krome AirbrushPublished:
From time to time, one gets the opportunity to review a finely crafted and indispensable item such as an airbrush. Badger recently provided a copy of the “Renegade Krome,” along with an assortment of Badger acrylic paint to IPMS/USA, and it, indeed, is an excellent airbrush. First, there is a treasure trove of information on the Badger website about the Krome, including an informative and excellent video. To view this video, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JBaqBK1kU4&feature=youtu.be I recommend that you check out this video before your initial use of the Krome, as it will answer many questions about the use of the rear adjustment knob which controls paint flow, plus… more |
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Me-509 Landing GearPublished:
The PartsThis product contains 9 pieces cast in white metal which replace the struts and gear for the Bronco kit. Please note that I did not use the Bronco kit for this review. I used, instead, the Hobby Boss Me-509 kit, # 02849. The Bronco kit was not “in my stash” but the Hobby Boss kit was readily available. The molding is clean, with no “step” along mold release points. One of the support arms had a small amount of “flash” on it. This small piece of metal was removed with an Xacto and sanded very gently with a nail file. AssemblyEven though the Bronco kit is the recommended “mate” for this SAC product, I found that the parts would also fit into the Hobby Boss kit without any problems. Some caution is wise when handling the retracting struts….the change… more |
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RQ/MQ-1 Predator Landing GearPublished:
The Parts: This product contains four pieces cast in white metal which replace the struts and gear for the Bronco kit. The molding is clean, with no “step” along mold release points. The details match kit parts, rivet for rivet, but with no flash (kit parts have a little flash). The SAC main landing gear struts are molded as “one” piece whereas the kit main gear struts require two pieces to be glued together to form one strut. Assembly: We’ve all seen the notice, “no assembly required”, but other than attaching the SAC parts to the Bronco kit, there isn’t any assembly required to prepare the SAC parts. The SAC parts fit nicely. They are snug and tight and fit into the Bronco kit just as the original parts fit. … more |
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PLA J-8B Landing GearPublished:
The Parts: SAC provides 10 individual parts, replacing the gear and struts included in the J-8B kit from Trumpeter. The detail on the original kit parts is faithfully reproduced on the SAC parts. Assembly: Most of the SAC gear that I’ve used are free of “step” flash, that small line marking the point at which the molds join up. One of the main gear struts in this set required a swipe or two with an Xacto blade to eliminate the step and the parts were ready for priming. Attaching the SAC parts to the kit is straightforward and easy. The fit is always nice and tight, alignment is good, and I’ve never experienced any problem with a SAC part fitting into the kit as well or better that the original part. Painting… more |
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F-104G "Graffiti" KLu/RNethAFPublished:
This decal sheet is a “supplementary” set, meaning that it contains the “graffiti” used to mark up a specific F-104G, that being # D-8337. The markings inside the package do not include the national insignia, data, stencils, and other standardized markings that one would most likely find on any F-104 flying in the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Existing Dutch Decal markings that can be used to mark your F-104 prior to the “graffiti” being added is a product from Dutch Decal, product number “DD48043”. Just so you’ll know, these same markings are available in 1/72nd scale and 1/32nd scale, including the supplementary graffiti sheet. The broadside, or “instruction sheet” if you will, included in the product package, contains a 4-view drawing that illustrates the location of the… more |
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F-18 Super Hornet Upgrade SetPublished:
This set of “upgrade” decals is another product by Afterburner in a long line of high-quality decal sets. Designed for the Hasegawa F-18 Super Hornet, this Upgrade Set provides well over 100 markings, stencils, instrument panel faces, restraint harnesses, and even red landing gear door edge markings for the awesome Hasegawa Super Hornet. This set of decals easily achieves all of the standards for high quality decals. The decals do not allow for underlying colors to bleed through after application. Registry is dead on, and the decal proportions are correct and proper. There is very little carrier film that will need to be trimmed away. The sample taken from the sheet indicated that the decals are strong enough to withstand some handling during the application process, and yet… more |
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Aggressor Squadron F-15C/D DecalsPublished:
In a single word, “Wow”! This set of decals is recommended for the Hasegawa F-15C/D in 1/48th scale and can be used on the Academy kits as well. Afterburner also points out that the package includes markings that can be used on the Tamiya 32nd scale F-15. The product package includes three sheets of decals, one sheet being rather small and including three decals of the 57th Fighter Wing logo. The remaining sheets contain markings, stenciling, and other markings that one may choose from. Markings are provided for the very unique Digital Splinter Scheme, the Blue Flanker Scheme and the Desert Flanker Scheme. Additionally, included within the Desert Flanker Scheme, there are markings for aircraft flown in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2012.… more |
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SIM #8 - Space SuitsPublished:
You may be familiar with other publications from Mike Mackowski and Space In Miniature, especially if you are a fan of “real space” related models. “Space Suits” is the most recent addition to the SIM’s outstanding list of publications and should be snapped up as quickly as possible. The newest book in the SIM series is SIM #8 – Space Suits. Researched and written by Karl Dodenhoff, SIM #8 describes all of the space suits developed and used by NASA from Mercury to the International Space Station. This 60-page book has over one hundred line drawings and photographs that provide the model builder a comprehensive technical reference on this subject. Covering everything from early manned space gear, through the Apollo lunar surface exploration suits, and to the free-flying… more |