F.A.Q. 3 - Frequently Asked Questions of the Modern AFV Painting Techniques

Published: May 5, 2019
Book Author(s): Rubén González
Company: AK Interactive

I’ve always been a big fan of the F.A.Q. books; while they are not cheap, they are packed with stunning pictures and high-quality modeling know-how. AK Interactive’s latest F.A.Q. release, version 3 by world-class modeler Ruben Gonzalez, focuses on modern armor. And just like its predecessors, it’s stunning.

The soft-cover book is contains 463 pages on glossy paper. Each page averages… more

McDonnell Douglass F-4C Phantom II

Published: November 21, 2017
Company: Zoukei-Mura

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable, it was also adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force, and by the mid-… more

Mig-31 BM/BSM Foxhound (Limited edition)

Published: April 8, 2017
Company: Avantgarde Model Kits

The Mikoyan MiG-31 (NATO reporting name: Foxhound) is a supersonic interceptor aircraft developed for use by the Soviet Air… more

Nakajima B5N2 'Kate'

Published: January 23, 2021
Company: Airfix

The Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' was the most numerous Japanese torpedo bomber of the Second World War, and while primarily operated from carriers, it also saw service as a land based bomber. A single engine monoplane, it was defended by just one rearward firing machine gun, operated by the radio operator, and its relatively low speed left it vulnerable to enemy fighters. Kates performed well at Pearl… more

E-2C Hawkeye 2000, USS Ronald Reagan

Published: December 13, 2016
Company: Hasegawa

The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye has been in service with the United States Navy since the 1960s, as well as serving in other nations’ militaries, including Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Egypt, and France. The distinct look of the Hawkeye, with its high-wing, twin turboprop engines, multiple vertical stabilizers, and most noticeably, 24-foot rotating radar dome, make it readily recognizable. The ‘C’ version… more

IJN Akagi Aircraft Carrier Full Hull Limited Edition and Super Detail Set

Published: April 22, 2016
Company: Hasegawa

The Akagi is arguably the best known of Imperial Japan’s aircraft carriers. Like the American carriers Saratoga and Lexington, she was laid down as a battle cruiser, and then converted to carrier as a consequence of the Washington Naval Treaty. Commissioned in 1922, Akagi was Japan’s second aircraft carrier (after the diminutive Hosho). Initially built with three separate flight decks, Akagi… more

TRN1 Pistol Grip Airbrush

Published: February 10, 2020
Company: Iwata Medea

The NEO line is Iwata’s entry-level airbrush and is advertised as ideal for first-time airbrush users. Per Iwata, “Think you want to give airbrushing a try? Not sure you want to spend much to get started? The NEO is perfect for you…. AND you’ll have a great first experience! Iwata-Medea designed the NEO for the first time user.”

The Basics

The TRN1 is a gravity-feed, dual-… more

B-25H Mitchell Gunship

Published: February 10, 2020
Company: HK Models Co.

This is the third release, by HK Models, of their large-scale B-25, and in my opinion, the most interesting version. The B-25H was armed to the teeth, with fourteen .50 caliber machine guns (eight fixed forward and fired by the pilot) and a 75mm howitzer. The kit comes in a very large top-opening box, with another front-opening box inside. There are twenty-nine individually-packaged sprues,… more

Yamaha YZR500 'Sonauto Yamaha 1988' (OWA8)

Published: August 7, 2014
Company: Hasegawa

From 1973-2002, the Yamaha YZR500 led four 500 cc Grand Prix riders to ten separate world championships. One of the most famous riders to take the helm of the YZR500 was France's Christian Sarron. For the 1988 season, Sarron rode for the Sonauto-Yamaha team, scoring 149 points to earn a fourth-place finish overall.

Hasegawa’s offering of the YZR500 is a re-box of an earlier release, as… more

J2M3 Raiden ‘Jack’ Part 2

Published: February 18, 2014
Company: Zoukei-Mura

Part 2: The Build

This is the second part of my review of the Zoukie-Mura 1/32 J2M3 ‘Jack”. See Part 1 for images of the sprues and a general overview of what is included with the kit.

Section 1

The engine… and what an engine it is. There are forty-three parts broken over ten steps. Assembly begins by gluing the cylinder banks together. I was too aggressive in… more