IPMS Number
12511

Reviews By Author

Box Art

Audi R8 Spyder

Published: September 12, 2012
Company: Revell, Inc.

When I was in Montreal a couple of years ago for the GrandPrix, I saw an Audi R8 and went nuts over it. I sure wish I had $164,000 to get one. I got the next best thing, the new Revell kit of this car.

When I opened the box, I was surprised by the number of parts. Upon looking at the very complete and well thought out set of instructions, I knew I was in for a fairly easy build. This… more

Parts Package

F-94C Starfire Landing Gear

Published: August 28, 2012
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

I was recently given the new 1/48 Kitty Hawk F-94C Starfire to review. I think this is a very nice kit, especially considering that it is the first release by this company. When looking at the parts I was impressed by the detail of the landing gear.

No sooner had this kit hit the market, when Scale Aircraft Conversions released a metal landing gear that not only adds weight to the nose… more

Figure

Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot – Battle of Britain

Published: August 23, 2012
Company: Ultracast

This is the sixth Ultracast figure I have had the honor of reviewing and I can honestly say that each one is better than the last. This figure of a Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot is no exception.

It is sculpted by my friend Mike Good. He has a world reputation as a sculpture of pilots in every scale, and I believe I have painted every one of them.

This piece is cast in hard tan resin… more

Box Art

Avro Vulcan B.2

Published: August 2, 2012
Company: Cyber-Hobby

Back in 1986 I was in Great Britain to attend the British Grand Prix. I wasn’t aware of the fact that between the support races they staged an air show. I was very impressed with the vintage British aircraft which included a Lancaster, a Spitfire, a Hurricane among a vast number of classics. The one aircraft that impressed me the most was the Avro Vulcan. When this big bomber passed over, it… more

Box Art

XB-70A Valkyrie

Published: April 30, 2012
Company: Cyber-Hobby

I have built many Cyber Model kits in the past year and I believe that they are getting better. This kit of the XB-70A is a real beauty. I might add that the scale is a little off from the standard but I can see the reasoning. The XB-70 is a truly huge aircraft.

One of the highlights of my stay in Columbus for the Nationals was a visit to the USAF Museum in Dayton. I had been there… more

Parts Packaging

F-86F Wheel Bays

Published: March 27, 2012
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Since the F-86 is my favorite aircraft, I just had to have the Aires Wheel Bay detail set when it came up for review. This set is made to fit the Kinetic / Italeri kit in 1/32. They are both the same kit with different boxing.

I bought a couple of the kits last year and thought they were great, with super detail. This wheel bay detail sets takes it over the top.

The set is cast… more

Box Art

F-86D Sabre Dog

Published: March 19, 2012
Company: OzMods

Let me begin this review by saying that I have all the OzMods 1/144 kits and love them all. Their subject matter is great. I only wish they would speed up their releases.

This latest release of the F-86D was a welcome addition to their small range and I was surprised to see that it came in a box instead of their usual bag and also that it was molded in a softer plastic then their usual… more

Box Art

Sea Vixen FAW.1

Published: March 13, 2012
Company: Cyber-Hobby

The De Haviland Sea Vixen is one of my favorite aircraft, mostly because it is so unusual looking. I am very happy that Dragon (Cyber Hobbies) has chosen to make a kit of this strange aircraft.

Dragon produced this kit in 126 parts in light grey plastic which is very brittle. I have built several Dragon Golden Wing series aircraft and I am always amazed at all the fine detail they put… more

Cover

Collecting Toy Soldiers in the 21st Century

Published: July 4, 2020
Book Author(s): James Opie
Company: Pen and Sword Books Ltd

When I was a young boy, I was like many my age and played with toy soldiers. I remember the armies attacking each other and chipping the paint off a lot of them. My mother took me into Manhattan every Christmas to see all the toys at Macy’s, and the ones that fascinated me the most were the toy soldiers. I only wish I saved them all from my childhood. As I grew older and began painting… more

Box Art

US Checkpoint in Iraq

Published: January 7, 2012
Company: Master Box Ltd

Master Box has done it again. This time they produce a four figure set of US Soldiers at a Checkpoint in Iraq.

The figures come in four different poses with multi parts to make up four complete figures. I would like to point out that the box art is superb and is terrific for use as a color guide. The only thing missing is the concrete barrier as shown on the box cover. The rear of the… more