Su-25 (Frogfoot) Pitot Tubes

Published: September 5, 2016
Company: Master Model

Master Model has been producing some exquisite pitot tubes, gun barrels and static discharge wicks. So it is natural that they continue that success with new barrels and pitot tubes.

The latest offering is for the Su-25 Frogfoot, the Soviet version of the A-10. Eduard, KP and Monogram have the Frogfoot in their inventory. This set is different than some others that I’ve had to deal with from Master.

Contained inside the ziplock baggie are three brass pieces which are beautifully turned brass. Each brass piece is packaged separately. This will ensure the parts are flawless when removed from the package. In another self-sealing baggie is a very fragile resin vane that contains a bunch of separate shapes from the pitot tube. This piece is protected by a foam piece and held… more

F-16C Blk 50-50 Years of YGBSM

Published: September 5, 2016
Company: Twobobs Aviation Graphics

Wild Weasel. The name alone conjures up thoughts of F-100 and F-105 in Vietnam and F-4G Phantoms in Desert Storm. The pilots who fly these specialized missions walk around with their cajones in a wheel barrel. It is hard to believe that this mission has been around for 50 years.

As is often with these events, an aircraft is painted in a special scheme. The Wild Weasels are no different, only the aircraft is different now, the F-16. This decal sheet depicts this special aircraft of the 20^th Fighter Wing on June 20, 2015. Serial number 92-0920 displayed a rather dramatic full color weasel on the tail holding a lightning bolt it’s gloved hand.

The aircraft features an ECM pod on its centerline station along with the latest versions of the AGM-88 HARM missiles on… more

USAF/US Army Tow Tractor Driver

Published: September 5, 2016
Company: Aerobonus

Designed for the Aerobonus DMC Logan T-40 USAF Tow Tractor, this latest figure from Aerobonus is a single block of light grey resin that features a complete seated figure. There are no blemishes or bubbles anywhere.

The figure features a driver with a boonie cap, typical of a Vietnam era USAF enlisted personel. The resin is contained in a typical self sealing bag with a card stock backing. There are painting instructions on three pages.

Removal of the figure from the pour blocks will be easy enough. How they molded and cast these parts is simply amazing. There are lots of undercuts and plenty of room behind the driver on the seat. The parts include the seated body of the driver, two arms, and a separate head.

This figure is essential if you have the Tow Tractor… more

Growler Anthology - Part II

Published: September 5, 2016
Company: Furball Aero-Design

The EA-16G has taken over from the EA-6 and as such it has all the colorful markings that the Prowlers had.

One of the things I love about Furball’s decal sheet is the amount of choices you are given on each sheet. This sheet is no different. There are SIXTEEN Growlers included in this release. Not only do you get 15 US Navy Growlers you also get the markings for an Australian one. Some of these Growlers are quite colorful, so the problem may be which one do you choose. Besides the 16 aircraft you also get enough stencils for TWO aircraft.

The decals and instructions are contained in a ziplock bag. The instructions are printed in full color on four double sided 8.5x11 sheets. The profile views show the left side of every airplane. Each upper wing National insignia and wing… more

Bombcat Weapons Set

Published: September 5, 2016
Company: Furball Aero-Design

The Tomcat has to be one of the most famous aircraft of the Navy. Thanks to movies like ‘Top Gun’ and ‘The Final Countdown’ the shape of the large fighter is ingrained in history. What isn’t as well known is that the cat changed its spots late in its service. No longer the pure fleet fighter, but relegated to the role of fighter bomber. It actually excelled in this role as the F-14D Bombcat. The aircraft was capable of carrying every form of bomb and missile that the Navy had at its disposal. That is where this sheet comes into its own.

Designed for any F-14D Bombcat kit, this sheet is a wealth of marking options. The instructions and decals are contained in a large ziplock bag. Inside you get three pages of full color instructions. What is really interesting is that Furball… more

KAB-500S 500kg Satellite Guided Bomb

Published: September 4, 2016
Company: Advanced Modeling

Underwing armament such as bombs are always nice to add to your model. With the plethora of new Russian aircraft models, the abilities to bomb them up has never been better. The GPS guided bombs are quite well known in the West but the Russian equivalents are not as well known. Advanced Modeling has stepped up to plate with their impressive 3D CAD developed products.

The packaging is a self-sealing bag that contains the parts for two KAB-500S Satellite Bombs . There is a small decal sheet for the bombs. Also included are two end caps in photo etch.

The instructions are beautifully printed and attached to card stock packaging. They are written in Russian and English. The drawings are simply beautiful and extremely accurate. The one sheet shows where the decals go.… more

Bf-109G Cannon Pods

Published: June 28, 2016
Company: Eduard

The option to open up the gondolas frequently found under the wings of the Bf-109G is something that is up to the individual. It does add a visual interest and looks great in diorama.

In this set from Eduard, the parts are packaged in the typical plastic packaging with foam inserts, which protects the parts during shipping, you get 12 resin parts which are perfectly cast in light grey resin and a fret of photo etch.

Separating the parts from the casting blocks is easy as is locating the parts on the wing, especially if you remember to open the appropriate holes in the wings to help in positioning. Once the parts were separated I inspected them and compared them to the kit parts. The main part of the gondola is not the same shape as the kit’s plastic… more

F-4C Upgrade Set

Published: June 26, 2016
Company: Eduard

Whether you have the Academy or the Eduard F-4C (same kit actually) there are little things that can be added to make it an even better kit. Eduard is known for its quality photoetch.

There are two brass frets are included in this set. One fret of photoetch is primarily the cockpit sill and canopy framing.

The second, larger one is an extensive upgrade for the landing gear wheel wells and doors. This is something that Academy probably should have done better, but the photoetch parts are easy to add and upgrade the area. The wheel wells are busied up to a more realistic look. Every door on the landing gear is treated to realistic pattern thanks to the PE. There are some parts for the drop tanks, missiles and bombs as well.

The fit of all the parts that I used… more

Bf-109G Spirals

Published: June 26, 2016
Company: Eduard

We’ve had spiral masks before from Cutting Edge using their vinyl masks. They were stiff and difficult to position and frequently peeled up during painting. They were less than ideal. Then a few years ago when Eduard started to use Kabuki tape for their canopy masks I sent a suggestion that they needed to make spiral masks for the Bf-109. Well they finally listened or they thought of it themselves. Either way, what you get on this sheet of masks is four common types of spirals used on the 109.

While not specifically designated for the Eduard Bf-109G-6, these masks should be able to be used on any Bf-109G-K spinner. I just happened to be building two Eduard G-6s so I had the opportunity to use two different spirals. You will have to visualize how the spirals will look when… more

W. Gr.21 Rockets for Bf 109

Published: June 25, 2016
Company: Eduard

The Bf-109G was a versatile aircraft that could be fitted with numerous armament options. One of the most spectacular ones was the mounting of two wing mounted 21cm rockets.

Included in this vacuform package are 16 light grey resin parts that are perfectly formed and a fret of photo etch. Much of the photo etch pieces are allocated as alignment jigs. The resin pieces give you two complete rockets and two warheads. You only ‘need’ the warheads and the PE exhaust nozzles. The two complete rockets would be good additions to a diorama but aren’t absolutely necessary for this set.

To start off this set you will need to assemble the alignment jig for the sway braces. It isn’t anything too difficult and is actually well thought out. As is the alignment jig for the wing to… more