IPMS Number
11198

Reviews By Author

Package

German Tank Panther Auf. D Metal Gun Barrel Set

Published: September 6, 2015
Company: Tamiya

This is a review of the metal gun barrel set accessory package associated with Tamiya’s kit of the Panther Auf.D, kit number 35345.

This accessory package comes with both a plastic sprue containing a detailed breech for the 75mm main gun as well as the metal barrel that is a direct replacement for the plastic barrel supplied in the basic package.

The breech assembly is made… more

Package

German Tank Panther Auf. D Photo-Etched Grille Set

Published: September 6, 2015
Company: Tamiya

This is a review of the photoetch accessory package associated with Tamiya’s kit of the Panther Auf.D, kit number 35345. This kit includes all six engine grill covers as well as a redundant machine gun targeting ring which will certainly come in handy in other builds.

The photoetch grilles can be placed on the base Panther kit with no modifications to the kit whatsoever. The fit is… more

Box

German Tank Panther Auf. D Separate Track Link Set

Published: September 6, 2015
Company: Tamiya

Tamiya’s Separate Track Link Set is a direct replacement for the vinyl tracks supplied in their new kit of the Panther Auf. D. Although the kit tracks are really quite nice in terms of detail and are glue-able with standard modeling adhesives, the separate track links feature open teeth and really permit adjusting the sag over the wheels that are such a distinctive feature of the Panther tank… more

Box Art

Soviet T-35 Heavy Tank - 1938/1939

Published: August 9, 2015
Company: Hobby Boss

The T-35 heavy tank is perhaps the ultimate expression of the land battleship concept originally explored by the British in their Vickers A1E1 “Independent” prototype. Designed to work in conjunction with the T-28, another multi-turreted vehicle, the T-35 was intended to serve as a breakthrough tank, pushing through enemy fortifications while suppressing return fire with its antitank and… more

Product Picture

F-86 Sabre Dog

Published: July 27, 2015
Company: Kitty Hawk

Permit me to open this review with a personal story.

My childhood home town of Iowa City had a tiny little airport – the kind that sees maybe six Cessna's visiting in a week. However, even this tiny airport managed to have a gate guard, in this case an F-86D Sabre Dog donated from the Iowa Air National Guard, mounted on posts.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the best of shape. At… more

Box art

Catwoman

Published: June 24, 2015
Company: Moebius Models

Once again I’m diving back into the surreal world of the original Batman television series with this wonderful rendition of Julie Newmar as the classic Catwoman adversary. In actuality, I believe at least three different actresses took a shot at this role, but Julie is the one most remember, both for her statuesque presentation in that vinyl suit as well as her quintessential purr. Even… more

Box art

M10 GMC

Published: February 10, 2020
Company: Academy Models

There’s an apocryphal conversation that supposedly took place in World War 2 between a German captive and his guard:

German Prisoner: “Not meaning to insult, but in battle, any German tank is the equal to any ten of your Shermans.”

Guard: “Really?”

German Prisoner: “Yes, but you always have eleven.”

It’s no joke that American tankers fighting in Europe had to… more

Box Art

VCL Light Amphibious Tank

Published: May 2, 2015
Company: Riich Models

Those who know my modeling proclivities are well aware that I’m always fascinated by the small and obscure. This model, the first from this company if the kit number is to be believed, fits both of these categories nicely.

The Vickers-Carden-Lloyd amphibious tank was first developed in 1931 in England and the basic design served as the foundation for the successful Russian T-33, T-37,… more

Box art

1966 Batman

Published: April 30, 2015
Company: Moebius Models

Whenever dealing with classic 1966 Batman related materials, there’s always a strong urge to get campy. However, for the sake of clarity here I will avoid the usual “holy this” and “gosh that” phrases that come immediately to mind. Growing up in that era, however, let it be noted that the classic Batman series with Adam West left an indelible impression on my young mind. I will always have an… more

Box cover

Sd.Kfz.251/17 Command Version (2 in 1)

Published: April 15, 2015
Company: Dragon Models

The Sd.Kfz 251/17 was one of Germany’s first attempts to provide air cover for their armored columns in the beginning stages of WW2. Unlike so many of their later AA units, this was not as much of an ad-hoc design, being modified specifically for this role with fold-down sides affording suitable footing for both the gun and the gunners. Germany would not provide another specialty design like… more