Eric Christianson is a father to two boys (Reed and Dean), the President of the Seattle Chapter of IPMS, and a long-time Little League umpire. He is also a devoted husband and companion to a wonderful woman named Jackie who enthusiastically supports his passions. Recently retired as a programmer, his home office has been scratch-built into ‘a perfect model room’. Modeling since he was a boy, Eric mostly builds armor these days, but still dabbles in 1/32nd aircraft and other types of models from time to time. He also enjoys presenting seminars on weathering and technique at local shows. Many of Eric’s kit reviews can be found on the IPMS USA website.
Eric Christianson
Reviews By Author
15cm s.IG.33/2 (Sf) auf Jagdpanzer 38(t) HetzerPublished: February 3, 2020 Dragon has recently released five new kits, none of which have been available in plastic before, at least not in the released versions. Instead, modelers would have had to scratch build them or buy expensive resin conversion sets. This review covers one of the kits; the 15cm s.IG.33/2 (Sf) auf Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer. This Czechoslovakian 38(t)-based vehicle looks unusual, sporting the… more |
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Volllkettenaufklarer 38 w7.5cm Kanona 51 L24Published: April 11, 2017 Dragon has recently released five new kits, none of which have been available in plastic before, at least not in the released versions. Instead, modelers would have had to scratch build them or buy expensive resin conversion sets. This review covers one of the kits; the Volllkettenaufklarer (reconnaissance) 38 w7.5cm Kanona 51 L24 Hetzer. This Czechoslovakian 38(t)-based vehicle looks… more |
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PanzerFunkwagen Sd.Kfz. 233 8 Rad 7.5cmPublished: January 14, 2017 AFV Club has released an updated version of their original (excellent) eight-wheeled Sd.Kfz. 232 – this time representing an open-topped, -233 version armed with the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 main gun. While this kit has been out for some time, the specific vehicle type has remained under-represented in the industry. There is quite a lot of interior provided; including two driver’s… more |
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MIM-104B Patriot Surface To Air Missile PAC-1Published: January 14, 2017 The Black Label collection from Dragon Models offers an interesting range of novel model kits. Their latest offering, a 1/35th scale MIM-104B Patriot Surface To Air Missile (PAC-1), is not the only kitted offering of this venerable anti-missile, missile system on the market; it is not even the first version of the kit produced. But, with its relatively low parts count and absence of photo etch… more |
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French RucksackPublished: December 27, 2016 Plus Model out of Czechoslovakia continues to add to its list of quality aftermarket and modeling supply products; this time with a package of French infantry rucksack items – perfect for a diorama, or even amongst a pile of detritus found in the back of an armored vehicle. ContentsThe package contains a variety of items, but what they are specifically is not called out,… more |
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German Panzer II - A Visual History of the German Army’s World War II Light TankPublished: November 13, 2016 DavidDoyleBooks.com (Ampersand Publishing) out of Memphis TN, is back again with another Military Vehicle book entitled German Panzer II – A Visual History of the German Army’s World War II Light Tank, by popular author David Doyle. Anyone familiar with armor modeling literature and research will recognize this authoritative combination, and this latest release won’t disappoint.… more |
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Flakpanzer T-34(r)Published: September 8, 2016 Dragon has once again cobbled together parts from several of their kits to produce a scale representation of an unusual vehicle used by the German Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front. This time around it is the Flakpanzer T-34(r), a combination of the Soviet T-34 tank hull, and the four-barreled German 2cm Flakvierling 38. To complete the conversion, the kit includes a selection of extra parts,… more |
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AFV Painting System: US Olive Drab (Model Air) Set #402Published: September 8, 2016 Among several integrated sets of Model Air paints produced by Vallejo for common AFV camouflage schemes is their U.S. Olive Drab set, consisting of four color paints, an Olive Drab Primer and a clear Satin Varnish. Opening the box reveals a vacuform tray holding six half-size (quarter ounce) bottles, each one holding slightly less than half as much paint as one of Vallejo’s standard… more |
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Su-76iPublished: September 5, 2016 Dragon has recently released the interesting “cross-over” SU-76i Self Propelled Gun (SPG) in 1/35th scale, marrying their excellent and accurate Panzer III/Stug III chassis with what appears to be an out-sourced superstructure. The superstructure features intricate bolt detail, and is accompanied by new storage boxes on both sides as well as rear-mounted fuel tanks. This was an… more |
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Thick Mud Weathering EffectsPublished: February 3, 2020 We live in a Golden Age of modeling, we do. It seems that not a day goes by before some new product is offered to plastic modelers. This time around is a new set of excellent diorama weathering effects offered by Vallejo called ‘Thick Mud’. As the name suggests, each of six varieties offered contains a different shaded sludge mixture that looks, acts, and cleans up like mud. This is… more |