Spitfire Mk.VIII Profipack

Published: November 6, 2015
Company: Eduard

Eduard’s Spitfire Mk.IX kits set a new standard for Spitfire kits. The fit was perfect throughout and the shape was spot on. With the addition of the Brassin range of parts, the modeler finally had the ultimate late version Spitfire models in 1/48th scale. The Mk.VIII version had never been done in kit form. Based off their Mk.IX kit, it would have been easy for Eduard to just have the modeler cut and rescribe panel lines, but this is Eduard we are talking about. Eduard completely retooled the wings and fuselage to show all the salient features of the Mk.VIII. The wings have the shorter ailerons, fuel tanks in the leading edge and the small bulges for the guns. The fuselage has the retractable tail wheel already molded open. In this release you also get the longer wingtips, the first… more

Spitfire Mk.VIII Cockpit

Published: November 6, 2015
Company: Eduard

The Eduard Spitfires have set a new standard in 1/48th scale Spitfires. Eduard’s approach is threefold. One is aimed at the ‘basic’ modeler with their Weekend Edition kits. Then there is the step up with their Profipack kits, a personal favorite. And finally they have all the Brassin items to upgrade along with some separate photoetch pieces.

This set is carefully boxed in a sturdy cardboard box with Styrofoam packing material and parts in a couple of ziplock type baggies so there is no breakage. This set comes with 30 resin parts in light grey resin. All the parts are precisely cast and perfectly formed. There is a fret of photo etch with most of the parts pre-painted. Then there is a small clear acetate or film included of the gunsight reflector. The instructions are included… more

UH-1Y Canopy Mask

Published: November 14, 2020
Company: Eduard

The new Kitty Hawk UH-1Y Venom is an awesome model, but it has lots of clear parts. Lots of clear parts. Masking them is a pain. I should know I did it four times and it took a long time to get it just right.

The masks are provided on a sheet of Kabuki tape that is the best masking material out there, in my opinion. The masks are explained on the instruction sheet. You will have to use liquid mask for the chin bubbles.

Lucky for me this set arrived right when I needed to paint a door that I made a mistake on. I used the set to prevent overspray on the freshly polished clear parts while I repainted the door. All the masks fit their appropriate spots perfectly. And when the masks were pulled off the resulting paint was perfect.

If you are going to build this model… more

AH-1Z

Published: August 15, 2015
Company: Eduard

The Kitty Hawk AH-1Z is a welcome addition for helicopter fans. It is a highly detailed model that comes with its own photo etch parts. So can Eduard add to that? Let’s see.

Packaged in a resealing package, the photo etch parts are brass, and this set is designed for the exterior of the model. The instructions are typical Eduard instructions. They are very easy to understand and read. Now what about the photo etch itself?

Interestingly, Eduard produces the same parts as the kit offers. The Eduard vents and intakes are slightly finer than the kit offerings. It will be up to the modeler if they want to use the kit or the Eduard parts. There is a lot more to offer than the vents and intakes. The primary things that are included are a new avionics bay for the left ammo bay… more

MiG-23MLD Canopy Mask

Published: August 15, 2015
Company: Eduard

I hate masking canopies, but nothing detracts from a good looking model like a poorly painted canopy. The easiest way to do it right is with canopy masks specifically designed for the kit.

The latest offering from Eduard is for the Trumpeter MiG-23MLD. This set provides masks for not only the canopy but the wheels. The canopy masks provide both the outline for the rear portion of the canopy and whole masks for the front of the canopy sections.

All the wheels are provided with masks. There Heads Up Display has two masks for it as well.

This set is very complete and for the price I can save myself lots of headaches and time. These are a great accessory for your kit. If you haven’t tried them you really owe it to yourself to give it a go.

Highly recommended… more

AH-1Z Canopy Mask

Published: November 14, 2020
Company: Eduard

I hate masking canopies. It always takes so long and it is not as much fun as the rest of the build. That is the primary reason to buy canopy masks.

The latest offering from Eduard is for the Kitty Hawk AH-1Z. Accurately cut from Kabuki tape, which I think is the best masking material out there, this set provides outlining for the side canopy sections. Each individual panel is constructed from two pieces of masking material which are then filled in with masking fluid. The overhead panels are actually single piece masks which is nice. The other parts that you are provided are for the turret clear parts.

These will fit and make the whole process of canopy masking a non-event. They will save you time and give you accurate crisp outlines with minimal work.

Highly… more

Croatian Air Legion-Bf-109G-6s on Eastern Front-15(Kroat)./JG52

Published: August 12, 2015
Company: Delta One Decals

With the release of the Revell-Germany Bf-109G-6 and G-10 Erla it is just natural to want to put markings on them that aren’t included in the box.

Delta One has been providing some unique looking 109s on their decal sheets and this one is no different. The Croatians had a staffel similar to the Spanish staffel in JG-52. They were proud and carried the This decal sheet provides markings for seven aircraft, six G-6s and one G-5. Most of the aircraft sported the “Flying or Winged chessboard” on both sides of the fuselage.

The decals are printed on a 6x5 sheet with an additional separate sheet containing one chevron. The swastikas are broken down into two parts. There is a variety of the Flying chessboard. Interestingly is that the lack of standard markings. Typically a… more

MiG-19S (Farmer C) Gun Barrels Set & Pitot Tube and Shenyang J-6/F-6

Published: April 13, 2015
Company: Master Model

The MiG-19 and Chinese version of it, the J-6/F-6, are essentially the same aircraft. The Chinese version had an additional wing hard point on each wing. One thing about early MiGs is that they had long pitot tubes. In plastic they are fragile and easily bendable. The clean up of the plastic part is difficult to ensure that you keep a round cross section. Then if you are like me I ALWAYS break them off, either on the way to a show or just in handling the model.

• AM-48-092 - MiG-19S Gun Barrels / Pitot tubes sets - $10.00
• AM-48-093 - J-6/F-6 Gun Barrels / Pitot tubes sets - $10.00

Master out of Poland are some of the… more

Yugoslav G-6s

Published: April 12, 2015
Company: Delta One Decals

Delta One has been producing some unique decals, especially for the Bf-109. So that means that I had to check them out. This particular sheet covers the Yugoslav Air Force Bf-109s in service from 1945-53.

This sheet comes in a ziplock baggie that contains an eight page booklet with history and line drawings for the subject aircraft. There is a little history on the 109 in Yugoslavia. There is also a brief description of each aircraft including the colors and historical use.

Decals are provided for six aircraft, four G-6 aircraft and two UMe-109, which is a version of the G-12. The profiles have both side views, top view and a partial bottom view. The aircraft are interesting with some unique paint schemes. The actual decals are on 3 x 3 inch sheet. They are printed in… more

Dassault Mirage IV Refueling Probe Boom

Published: April 9, 2015
Company: Master Model

The Heller Mirage IV is a slightly older kit, but still the only option in town. The Mirage IV has its refueling boom off of the nose so it sits out there just waiting to be knocked off or bent. Enter Master from Poland.

Why do would you want to use the Master turned metal part? Well there are numerous reasons. The first, and most important, is that turned metal is stronger. Another reason is that you don’t have to worry about the mold line or keeping the round cross section all the time worried about losing detail. These reasons are enough for me to use the metal parts.

Packaged in a Ziploc bag, this set is a single piece of machined aluminum. The refueling boom is perfectly rendered and captures the shape of the tube and probe. This set is simply a replacement of the… more