Messerschmitt Bf-109G-10 Cockpit Set

Published: August 17, 2014
Company: Aires Hobby Models

The Messerschmitt Bf-109- has any other aircraft ever evoked more passion in the model building community? Maybe its nemesis the Spitfire but I doubt it. The modeling community has been blessed with new state of the art models in every scale. The best of these is the new Revell-Germany 1/32^nd Bf-109G-10 and to a lesser extent the G-6. Revell-Germany released the Erla built Bf-109G-10, the first time this variant had been available in kit form in any scale.

While the kit cockpit is nice there is always something nicer in resin. It is just a matter of the limitations of plastic injection versus resin casting. With that said, the clear kit part is used for fuel line. Packaged in vacuformed packaging that is typical of Aires sets, this set is well protected. Inside the… more

MiG-23M/MF Exhaust Nozzle

Published: November 13, 2020
Company: Eduard

Trumpeter has been releasing first class kits of Soviet Bloc aircraft for some years now. They have recently been taking on the MiG-23 Flogger and its variants.

The prominent point of any jet is the cockpit and the exhaust. With the limitations of plastic molding we, as model builders, are lucky to have resin parts. If you were going to do anything to spruce up a kit I concentrate on those two areas.

Perfectly molded in light grey resin the Brassin parts are everything that I’ve come to expect from Eduard. The detail on these seven resin parts is impressive to say the least. Of course none of the parts have any blemishes or imperfections that I could find other than my exhaust nozzle was slightly warped. A quick dip in warm water restored the roundness.

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MiG-15 and MiG-15 bis Gun Barrels Set, Antenna Base and Pitot Tubes

Published: February 10, 2020
Company: Master Model

With Tamiya release of the MiG-15 and the Trumpeter release of the MiG-15 family the weakest parts of the kit are the guns and the fragile pitot tube. If you are like me and you have a hard time keeping these items round when cleaning off the mold lines then this is for you. There are six exquisitely machined brass pieces included in the set. There is no clean up. Simply drill holes where the parts go, prime and paint.

The best part is a two piece 37mm cannon barrel. The two part barrel is a work of art. Simply insert the one piece into the other. The fit is phenomenal. It gives you the look of the real thing. Something the plastic kit parts can only hint at.

The other two gun barrels are simple and effective. They are the perfectly sized.

The antenna base is… more

F-4C Interior Photo Etch

Published: November 13, 2020
Company: Eduard

Eduard has perfected the art of the pre-painted instrument panels. I can’t even paint the instruments as good as they pre-paint. If you haven’t used them you really should try them.

The newest addition is designed for the new Academy 1/48^th scale F-4C. The single sheet fret is a nickel plated sheet with all the instrument panels and side consoles for both the front and back seats. These parts are self adhesive and designed to be added directly to the kit parts. You will have to sand off the molded on detail but that is simple enough to do with a sanding stick.

The self adhesive is definitely sticky but I still use super glue to hold the parts together and Future in the bezels to add the sticking and to replicate the glass. The set is simple to add and the… more

IAI Kfir Pitot Tube and AOA Probe

Published: August 15, 2014
Company: Master Model

I recently have started to build jet aircraft and I’ve noticed something, pitot tubes typically stick out of the nose a significant amount. This causes an issue with bending or breakage. The other thing that I have had an issue is removing the part from sprue. It is a pain in the butt to get rid of the excess plastic and retain the round cross section. That doesn’t include the mold lines on the part. How do you deal with all that? Easy, turned metal barrels.

Master Model turns out some of the finest turned metal barrels out there. I’ve used them before and they fit and look amazing. This release designed for the newest Kfir kits by Kinetics, AMK or Wingmaster.

The parts are packaged on card stock with a zip lock plastic bag containing another self sealing plastic bag… more

F-4D Phantom II (Late Version) Cockpit Set

Published: August 14, 2014
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Packaged in a plastic vacuformed package in typical Aires style, this set is designed for the Academy kit. Granted the F-4D has not been released yet but it is probably the next release from Academy. There is a lot of resin inside the packaging. The photo etch fret is quite nice.

Molded in light grey resin the resin displays impressive detail and immaculate casting. The biggest piece is the cockpit tub with the side controls molded in place. This is impressive to say the least. I do wish that Aires would embrace the pre-painted instrument panels. That is in no way a ding on this set. The sandwich type panel will be quite nice and hard enough to see under the glare shield. What is nice is that you are provided with an extra side controllers for both cockpits just in case they… more

Bf 109E Fabric Seatbelts

Published: May 17, 2014
Company: Eduard

One of the things that I find challenging about photo-etch seatbelts is that they are difficult to drape properly, especially the pre-painted type. It can be done, but inevitably some paint will chip or the metal just won’t bend properly to simulate the look of real fabric. Well, Eduard has a new twist on belts; actual fabric seatbelts that are pre-painted.

This set comes packaged in Eduard’s standard bottom-opening package. Inside you’ll find a nickel-plated photo-etch fret and a fabric “fret.” The nickel-plated PE features the shiny buckles and bits. There are no extras, so don’t lose them to the carpet monster! Some extra pieces would have been a nice addition. The fabric “fret” is a flexible material mounted onto a fabric backing. With the backing peeled off, you are left… more

Soviet Air Force Fighter Pilot - Winter Suit

Published: May 17, 2014
Company: Aerobonus

With the release of newer modern-era Soviet aircraft, such as the MiG-21, MiG-29, Su-27, Su-25 and others, there is a market demand for a figure to stand beside the aircraft for scale appearance. Until now there has been a very limited selection. Aerobonus answers this call with their simple, but effective, figures.

The latest release is a winter-dressed pilot. He has his helmet on and his hands in his pockets. The figure’s head is tilted up slightly, as if looking at the cockpit or an overflying aircraft. The pilot figure comes as a one-piece molding that is flawless. I don’t see any mold lines that need to be cleaned up. Just a simple cut at the feet and this figure is ready for paint. The painting instructions are printed on the back of the packaging insert. The painting… more

FW-190A-F Prop & Spinner VDM-9-12176A Wide Wooden Blades

Published: May 17, 2014
Company: Ultracast

Ultracast has cut out a niche market for itself with propellers. Their latest releases are designed for the Hasegawa Focke Wulf 190A/F.

Late-war Focke Wulfs were often fitted with wider-blade wooden props. This particular model of prop blade has a pointed tip, which is hard to replicate. Until now they have been difficult to find and their shape has not been quite correct. Ultracast has captured the shape perfectly for the first time.

This set is packaged in a small plastic bag secured onto a cardboard backing. The resin is typical Ultracast, molded in a light caramel color and free of blemishes. There are minimal pour blocks, which can be cleaned quickly and easily. Minimal flash is present on the spinner and cooling fans. Clean up of these castings will be easy with a… more

AH-1G Cobra

Published: May 4, 2014
Company: Res-Im

The new AZ Model 1/72^nd AH-1G is a nice addition to the helicopter modeling community. I’ve never flown this version of the Cobra but I’m very familiar with it. The limitations of plastic molding means that there are some things that have to be either simplified or left off. Enter Res-Im (Resin Improvement).

For those of you who are familiar with the Eduard Pre-painted Photo Etch and how good they are you won’t be disappointed. Guess what? Res-Im photo etch is printed by Eduard. It even says Eduard on the photo etch sheet so you know the quality is excellent. The PE parts are all well formed and will offer a nice upgrade to the kit. The instructions are typical Eduard style as well so it is easy to understand.

There are two things that I thought were… more