Westland Whirlwind FB Mk.1

Published: March 11, 2024
Company: Special Hobby

The Westland Whirlwind was a twin-engine fighter/bomber built for the Royal Air Force. It was conceived shortly before WW2 broke out and went into service almost immediately. It was an aircraft not readily mentioned that fought gallantly through the Battle of Britain and the other campaigns in Europe. The aircraft suffered from what many consider an underrated Rolls Royce engine. Although I… more

BF-109K Wheel Set

Published: February 14, 2024
Company: Brengun

Hauler-Brengun from The Czech Republic produces some of the finest aftermarket resin parts and model kits in the industry. The wheels in this set were no exception.

Brengun’s packaging was very good, with the contents contained within a clear plastic bag and a hard cardboard backing. There were no instructions included in this set, but none were needed.

These resin wheels would fit… more

EA-18G Growler

Published: December 14, 2023
Company: Italeri

The EA-18G Growler was designed to replace the US Navy’s outdated Grumman EA-6B Prowler. It was derived from the tandem seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The Australian RAAF operates these aircraft and I chose to model A46-06, celebrating the 6th Squadron’s 100 year Anniversary, based at Amberly Airbase, in 2017.

This kit was packed in Italeri’s standard sized, sturdy box, with the grey parts… more

Bristol Beaufort Mk.1A (With Tropical Filters)

Published: May 13, 2023
Company: ICM

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… more

OV-10A Bronco US Navy

Published: March 4, 2023
Company: ICM

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… more

A-10C Thunderbolt II

Published: February 11, 2023
Company: Hobby Boss

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… more

AH-1G Cobra

Published: November 6, 2022
Company: Special Hobby

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… more

Micro Mitre Box

Published: October 29, 2022
Company: UMM-USA

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… more

Boeing 707: Boeing’s First Jetliner

Published: October 29, 2022
Book Author(s): Ron Mak
Company: Key Publishing Ltd

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… more

UH-34D/J, HSS-1, HU.5, HAS.1/3 Metal Landing Gear

Published: August 20, 2022
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

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… more