Jarrod Booth
Reviews By Author
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Bristol Beaufort Mk.1A (With Tropical Filters)Published:
ICM continues to pump out high quality model kits for us eager, plastic hungry modelers around the world! This is the second release of the Bristol Beaufort and represents the Mk.1A with tropical filters. These filters mounted on top of the engine pods and were used in hotter/dustier Mediterranean and North African environments. The downfall was the larger filters increased drag and reduced the cruising speed by about ten mph. The Mk.1A was an improvement over the Mk.1 incorporating a new machine gun turret and an ASV radar for torpedo bombers to search for surface targets. The Beaufort and her crews were relatively forgotten and unsung heroes of the Second World War. The model is presented within ICM’s standard well thought out box. A nice rendition of one of the versions… more |
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OV-10A Bronco US NavyPublished:
The OV-10A Bronco was a highly versatile aircraft and proved itself during the Vietnam War. Some aircraft operated by the US Navy were used in an anti-submarine training squadron, VS-41, Shamrocks. Some of these Bronco’s were painted in black or a very dark blue over white camouflage scheme. Interestingly, I could not find any pictures of OV-10A’s in this color. A number of Bronco’s were also returned to service during Desert Storm. ICM seemingly defies all logic and continues to excite the modeling community with excellent model kits from the Ukraine. Keep them coming!! They have proudly added “Made in Ukraine” on their box tops. The OV-10 arrived packaged in ICM’s typical superb box. All the plastic contents were protected in bags, along with a glossy instruction… more |
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A-10C Thunderbolt IIPublished:
The 1/48 scale Hobby Boss A-10 was a very welcoming kit when it was first released in 2007. The A-10C represents the third release, after the A-10A and N/AW A-10 two-seater, of this kit and outdoes the older Monogram and Tamiya kits in every way! The Hobby Boss Thunderbolt II arrived packed beautifully and well protected as is standard for this Chinese model company. No more than two sprues were contained within their own plastic bags, with some delicate parts being wrapped in a cellophane material. The box art showed a great photo of the first painting option. One of the highlights were the three decal sheets provided and the painting options offered. The instruction manual was Hobby Boss’s standard black and white booklet, with clear steps proceeding through the build… more |
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AH-1G CobraPublished:
The AH-1G Cobra was the first helicopter specifically designed for air to ground attack missions. They first saw action in Vietnam. The type went on to serve several nations, including Spain and Israel (the subject of this model). I picked the model up at the Review Corp get together at the IPMS National Convention in Omaha. Phil had gotten it straight from Special Hobby. The kit was presented in Special Hobby’s standard strong, top opening cardboard box with an attractive painting of the helicopter on the cover. Inside, ten sprues were contained within one clear plastic bag. The clear parts were protected inside their own bag. A decal sheet and glossy, color instruction sheet was found in the bottom of the box. The instruction manual showed a parts sprue layout… more |
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Micro Mitre BoxPublished:
I was lucky enough to pick this tool up from Phil at the IPMS National Convention in Omaha during the Reviewer Corp get together. The text below was taken directly from the UMM web page and explains the Micro Mitre Box details better than I could: MICRO MITRE BOX - MN048 XL (45° 90° 60°) cutting slots. High Quality - MMB box with adjustable stop 110MM x 20MM x 14MM
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Boeing 707: Boeing’s First JetlinerPublished:
The Boeing 707 was the first widely used commercial jet. It brought the US into the “jet age” in the late 1950’s. The 707 remained in production until late 1978, by which time other more economical and larger designs were needed due to increased passenger amounts over longer routes. This book is a tribute to a wide range of 707 variants, and airline liveries. The soft cover book is a rather compact size containing 180 pictures over 96 pages. Most pictures are a little muted and dark, but still show to good effect, the individual aircraft in its full paint scheme and colors. As a child, I was fortunate to have flown on a number of the airlines in these pages and brought back memories of being able to visit the cockpit, helping to develop my love of aviation. I still have… more |
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UH-34D/J, HSS-1, HU.5, HAS.1/3 Metal Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) is a Texas based company that makes white metal landing gear for a vast number of model aircraft in all scales. The idea behind the use of metal over the kit supplied plastic landing gear is strength. Over time plastic can give way under the weight of heavy aircraft models. The metal parts are contained in a clear plastic tray with an attractive color backing showing product details. While examining each item, it was apparent that masters of the original plastic parts were copied and molded into white metal. Some items needed bending back to shape and straightened a little due to soft nature of the metal. The general molding was quite clean, but seams would need to be cleaned up. Working with the white metal and cleaning… more |
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SA-342M Gazelle (Airfix/Heller Kit)Published:
Brengun is an aftermarket company that supplies parts and accessories for a vast variety of models, as well as their own model kits. This photo etch set included just about everything needed to enhance and upgrade the old “classic” Airfix/Heller 1/72 Gazelle helicopter. Much of the set accommodates various antennae’s, windscreen wipers, Rotor head cyclic and collective push rods and swash plate, cyclic’s for each pilot, rubber pedals and instrument panel and center console. The only thing I would have liked were a set of seat belts. However, in this scale, making belts from tape would be quite acceptable, or sourcing photo etch belts elsewhere should be fairly easy. A small but easily readable instruction sheet was included and showed a few parts that were… more |
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C-160 TransallPublished:
The C-160 Transall is a twin engine transport aircraft conceived and built by a French and German alliance. It is about the same size as the Lockheed C-130 but uses two high powered Roll Royce engines as opposed to the C-130s four smaller engines. The Transall is slowly being fazed out and replaced by the larger Airbus A-400 Atlas. This soft cover book is made using high quality paper and is superbly put together. It shows the aircraft in its various air force colors, variants and an extensive pictorial excursion around it. There are hundreds of beautifully detailed photographs of every part of the Transall, from close ups to action shots of the aircraft on the ground and flying. The reader of this book is taken on a “walk around” of the subject aircraft in pictorial… more |
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B-26K Counter Invader with USAF Pilots & Ground PersonnelPublished:
ICM Is a Ukrainian company who has really made a name for themselves in the plastic model community. An informative history of the B-26K Counter Invader is included on the cover of the instruction manual and I took a picture of so it could be read there. The model was contained within a very strong, lid opening box. The sprues were found inside several plastic bags which protected the parts. Three instruction manuals and two decal sheets were laying in the bottom of the box. In my edition a single sprue of US Pilots and Ground Personnel were included, as well as US Aviation Armament (four sprues), both in their own bag. This was my first ICM aircraft model, and I was not disappointed. The parts showed lovely detail with appropriate recessed and raised panel line… more |