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

FW-190A-F Prop & Spinner VDM-9-12153A Metal Blades with External Weights

Published: May 2, 2014
Company: Ultracast

Ultracast offers a whole new and unique assembly for the front of your Focke Wulf A/F. The addition of the external weights is quite common on late war Focke Wulf aircraft. Until now they have not been available in model form without the modeler having to scratchbuild them.

This set is packaged in a small zip lock bag on the cardboard backing. The resin is typical Ultracast, molded in a light caramel colored with no blemishes anywhere. There are no pour blocks on the blades. Minimal flash is present on the spinner and cooling fans. Clean up will be easy with a new hobby blade.

The external weights are flawlessly executed and will add dramatically to the spinner assembly. The blades are thin and perfectly shaped. No pour blocks on the blades means that none of the… more

FW-190A-F Prop & Spinner VDM-9-12067A Metal Blades

Published: May 2, 2014
Company: Ultracast

How often have you wanted to build a FW-190A only to discover that your subject aircraft didn’t carry the ‘normal’ type of prop? It has happened to me a few times. You can either live with it, which I did at the time, or you can shelve that particular aircraft until the new props become available. Well that time has come courtesy of Ultracast.

Like most of Ultracast’s products, this set is packaged in a small zip lock bag on the cardboard backing. The resin is a light caramel colored with no blemishes anywhere. There are no pour blocks on the blades. There is a minimal amount of flash on the spinner and cooling fans. All of which will be cleaned up easily and quickly with a new blade.

The first of three new prop and spinners designed for the Hasegawa FW-190 range is the… more

WWII Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot Mid-Late War

Published: May 2, 2014
Company: Ultracast

If you’ve contemplated, built or painted any figures you will no doubt run across the name of Mike Good. He is the world’s best figure sculptor. He is well known for the perfect proportions, excellent faces and natural poses.

Mike’s latest work for Ultracast is a Mid-Late War Luftwaffe pilot. Packaged in the typical Ultracast style of a zip lock bag attached with a staple to a card stock backing. In this case the card stock carries a photo of the actual figure painted up from the front. This will be very helpful to the modeler.

The figure itself is molded in light caramel colored resin that is perfectly cast with no bubbles or blemishes anywhere. There are five pieces of resin. The largest is the single piece body with minimal flash between the legs. Clean up will be… more

Royal Navy Lynx Crew

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: PJ Production

Packaged in a sturdy cardboard box with the resin pieces protected inside a ziplock bag this offering from PJ Production is perfectly cast in creme colored resin with no defects noted. Three figures, one on each of the three ‘sprues’, these new figures from PJ Productions will make an attractive addition to the Airfix Sea Lynx kit.

Each figure is on a separate pour block with upper body and head, two arms and the lower half. The door observer has two separate legs. All the poses are as if the aircraft is in flight or ready for takeoff. The pilots are looking off to the side to clear the helicopter. The faces, which to me are essential to a good figure, are all nicely sculpted. The figures look to be of a good scale size.

The aircraft commander, pilot in the right seat, is… more