Jim Pearsall
Reviews By Author
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MiG-15/17 Step Ladder (Two Types)Published:
This boarding ladder is one of those spiffy little accessories which can add a lot to the presentation of a model. In this case, it’s being added to an old Attack kit of a Pakistani Shenyang JJ-5 trainer (based on the MiG-17). I cut the ladder itself loose from the PE sprue, and I also cut out the ladder pads. These are very tiny in 1/144, so be really careful. I bent the sides of the ladder using a “high-tech” tool, namely a pair of “duckbill” pliers. The pliers have a decent grip and good straight sides. I took a photo of the ladder with one side bent, then the other. I spent a few minutes getting the sides trued up and made sure the ladder steps were square with the side rails. Once the ladder was trued up, I applied a spot of thick CA to one of the ladder… more |
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TSR-2 Landing GearPublished:
The AircraftThe TSR-2 has now been kitted in three scales: 1/48, 1/72, and 1/144. Because of space limitations, I built the 1/144 model. Only one TSR-2 ever flew, and the two in museums are prototypes. What if the RAF had managed to salvage the program and this marvelous looking piece of hardware actually went into full production? RAF TSR-2s could have seen action in the Cold War, the Falklands, Bosnia/Kosovo, the Gulf War(s), Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya! The Pit Road kit comes with two of these “what if” schemes, and due to the popularity of the kit, several decal makers have produced sheets for “what if” TSRs. Of course I had to do a different one. The Scale Aircraft Conversions SetThe SAC set for the TSR-2 consists of seven parts, all in white metal.… more |
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Churchill Mk.III - Dieppe 1942Published:
The AFVThe Churchill was designed as an infantry support tank. The Churchill prototype was built before the start of World War II. The design parameters called for heavy armor and firepower over speed and maneuverability. The idea was that the infantry tank would assist the infantry as it crossed “no man’s land” between the trenches in France, just as they had in World War I. So the ability to stand up to light anti-tank weapons and to cross rough ground, including shell craters, was more important than tank-busting. The prototypes were still in progress when France fell in 1940. Suddenly the design changed, as there weren’t going to be any trenches in France in the near future. The result of this change was that the Churchill was given a 6-pounder as its main weapon… more |
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Ju-87G Dual ComboPublished:
This is another of the marvelous Eduard 1/144 kits. Previously I’ve done the Spitfire IX, both c and e wings, the MiG-21s (all three) and the Ju-52 military. All have been nicely crafted, with good fit and interesting markings. This one is no exception. The AircraftBy early 1943 the Luftwaffe no longer held air superiority over the Soviet Union, at least not sufficient superiority to prevent Russian fighters from interfering with dive-bomber operations. The Stuka Geschwaders lost eight of their Knight’s Cross Holders during the battles around Kursk. The Stukas were generally replaced by FW-190s and Bf-109s in the ground attack role. The RLM (German Air Ministry) was also worried about the vast numbers of enemy tanks on the Eastern Front, and… more |
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Blohm & Voss BV-40 Glider FighterPublished:
The AircraftThe BV-40 was one of those ideas that never came to full operational capability. It was conceived in 1943, when the bombers were hitting all over the Reich, day and night. The concept was to build a small, light wooden aircraft which didn’t use much in the way of strategic materials but could shoot down bombers. Its small size would make it very difficult for bomber gunners to hit it. The armament was to be 2X 30 mm MK108 cannon, one in each wing root. The pilot lay on a mat in the armored cockpit. The BV40 was to be towed to altitude, above the bombers by a Bf-109, then released. The BV would then dive on the bomber stream and do as much damage as possible, then glide home. The wheeled landing gear were dropped on take off to save weight, and there was a skid… more |
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Cockpit Photoetch Detail for Bf-110G-4 Weekend KitPublished:
This nifty add on for the Eduard Weekend Bf-110G-4 is mostly for the cockpit, although there are a couple of other parts which made my life easier. The Bf-100G-4 is reviewed here: Eduard Bf-110g-4 weekend kit The ProfiPACK kit comes with the Photoetch. The cockpit details include better rudder pedals, instrument panels for the front two positions, gun sights for the rear gunner’s position, a new woven seat for the radar operator, seat belts, and throttles. Additionally for outside the cockpit, there are little screens for the intake side of the exhausts, a loop… more |
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Mask for Bf-110G-4 Weekend KitPublished:
This is the canopy mask for the Eduard 1/72 Bf-110G-4 Night fighter. It’s recommended for the Weekend kit, which is reviewed here: Eduard Bf-110g-4 weekend kit The ProfiPACK kit comes with the mask. You get the mask and a very good set of instructions. The mask is die cut on Kabuki tape, nice and thin and it sticks marvelously. I have one trick. It’s very hard to see the edges of the mask items when they’re on the backing sheet. I slather on a tiny bit of acrylic black, like what’s used for weathering, and it picks out the edges nicely. … more |
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Messerschmitt Bf-110G-4 Weekend KitPublished:
The Eduard Weekend kits are designed for a fairly quick and easy build, but as I proceeded through this project it took me much longer than a single weekend. The build was more like four weeks, working an hour or so each day. When it was time to write this review, I checked the catalog at Eduard, and it says that the kit doesn’t include masks or PE. But the mask and PE were in the box when I opened it!! Dave Morrissette was patient with my query. I got the PE and mask in the box, but they are for separate reviews. So look for the reviews elsewhere on the IPMS/USA reviews page. The AircraftBy late1944 the Bf-110 had limited use as a standard fighter. It lacked the speed and maneuverability to allow it to play with the Typhoons, Mustangs and Thunderbolts. This explains… more |
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USAF KC-135EPublished:
The AircraftThe KC-135 was the US Air Force’s first jet refueling aircraft, replacing the KC-97. The 135 was developed from the same prototype as the 707, but has much more in common with the Model 720. The 135 entered service with the USAF in 1957. The last KC-135 was delivered in 1965. The KC-135E was an interim between the KC-135A and R. The E model came about when it became apparent that the A model just didn’t have the power and range needed to support the global mission of the US Air Force. The fix is the same one used on the Boeing 707 and 720, updating the engines from P&W J-57s to TF-33s. The re-engining continued with the KC-135R, which has GE/SNECMA CFM-56 engines. The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve flew the E model. The Kit… more |
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Lockheed C-140A JetStarPublished:
The AircraftThe Lockheed JetStar was originally developed in the late 1950s by Lockheed as a prototype for a US Air Force light transport. The project was not bought by the Air Force, but the prototype was used by Kelly Johnson of the “Skunk Works” as his personal transport. It was the first dedicated “biz’jet” to enter service. Later the project was resumed, and the Air Force bought 5 C-140As for Air Force Communications Service to test airport navigational aids. Another 5 were bought as VIP transports, as the JetStar could carry 10 passengers and 2 crew, more than any other jet powered business aircraft of the period. The JetStar was also noted for having four engines in pods in the rear, much like the DC-9 or VC-10 airliners. The ModelThe model… more |