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

AH-1G Canopy Masks

Published: May 4, 2014
Company: Res-Im

Res-Im (Resin Improvement) is a new company to me out of the Czech Republic. After checking out their website it appears they offer a variety of items, photo etch, masks, and resin, but how good is it? Let’s find out.

The first item I got for review was a canopy mask set for the AZ Models AH-1G. Packaged in a ziplock baggie you get one sheet of masks for one aircraft.

I hate to mask canopies and it is even worse in 1/72^nd scale. Made of the famous Kabuki tape this small sheet contains the outline of the canopy and will need to be filled in with a liquid mask. This is the only way to do this type of canopy with all the compound curves.

My only problem with this or any of the Kabuki tape masks is that it is yellow tape printed on a yellow background. I… more

AH-1G Gun Turret

Published: May 4, 2014
Company: Res-Im

Res-Im’s multi-media upgrades for the AZ Model lifts this kit out of the ordinary. This particular upgrade features three different resin turrets. Molded in a medium grey resin with good recessed detail. The first turret has no opening and would be used at a training center like Hunter Army Airfield or Ft Rucker. The next one is the single weapon system, TAT-102, turret. This one features a single 7.62mm minigun. Strangely there is no hole for the minigun. That is an easy enough modification. The third turret is an M-28 style turret with two openings, either one 7.62mm and 40mm grenade launcher or two 7.62 mm miniguns. Included on the resin pieces are two miniguns, one 40mm launcher and one other ‘gun’ that I’m not sure what it is. This would go with the single turret opening and… more