Jim Pearsall
Reviews By Author
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F/A-18E Eagles and F/A-18F DiamondbacksPublished:
This kit provides aircraft and markings for two Super Hornets, the single seat F/A-18E from VFA-115, Eagles, and a two-seat F/A-18F from VFA-102 Diamondbacks. Both squadrons are based at NAF Atsugi, Japan. The AircraftThe F/A-18E and F are redesigned, becoming the “Super Bugs”, larger than the F/A-18A through D aircraft. Other noticeable changes are the squared intakes and serrated edges on the main landing gear doors and several of the panels. These have reduced the frontal and rear radar signatures, making the E and F models almost stealthy, although not as much as the F-22 or F-35. One of the weaknesses of the early model Hornet was range. The E and F models overcome this by being able to carry 5 extra fuel tanks instead of the 3 carried by the A through D models… more |
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Kawasaki T-4, Blue ImpulsePublished:
The AircraftThe Kawasaki T-4 came out in the late 1980s as a replacement for the Lockheed T-33s and Fuji T-1s in the intermediate trainer role. One of the reasons for the T-4 appears to be that it is built in Japan from mostly Japanese sources. The T-4 is the third aircraft flown by the JASDF’s Blue Impulse demonstration team. The first two were the F-86 and a Mitsubishi T-2. The KitThe box contains two sprues of bright white plastic, with a clear sprue which has enough clear parts to do two kits. This makes perfect sense when you remember that Platz 1/144 kits are “twofers”, 2 kits in one box. All parts are cleanly molded with no flash. As I did the assembly, I noted that there are no warps, mold flaws or short shots anywhere. The decals are by… more |
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Boeing 737-400 / US AirwaysPublished:
The AircraftThe Boeing 737 was developed in the 1960s as a low-cost development of the 707 and 727. It’s the only Boeing “narrow body” airliner still in production. There are 9 versions, ranging from 85 to 215 passengers. While not approaching the Bf-109 in numbers, the 737 is the best-selling jet airliner in history, with 6638 delivered, with 2186 more on order as of December 31, 2010 (Editor: Boeing source). The 737 in this kit is the -400 version, with CFM-56 engines. Because of the low wing and large diameter of the engines, the lower side of the nacelle is flattened, giving a distinctive “hamster pouch” look. The -300 and -500 versions differ from the -400 in fuselage length, with the -400 being 10 feet longer than the -300 and the -500 is 8 feet shorter than… more |
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Fiat CR 42CN/J11 FalcoPublished:
The AircraftWhen the Germans were bringing out the Bf-109, the British had the Hurricane and were bringing out the Spitfire, and the USA had the P-40 and P-39, Fiat introduced the last biplane fixed gear fighter produced in any large numbers. Although the Falco was pretty much outclassed in speed, it was structurally very strong and highly maneuverable. It remained in service through 1944. The CR 42 remained in production through 1942, and participated in the Battle of Britain. They were used by the Luftwaffe on the Eastern Front and by Italy as night fighters, even though they had no radar or radio. While I’m still doing some research, apparently a Gladiator and CR 42 were in combat in December of 1940, probably the last biplane dogfight. The Kit… more |
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A6M2 Zero IJN (2 options)Published:
The AircraftThe A6M2 Zero-sen was the best carrier-based fighter in the world from 1940 to 1942, when more powerful Allied aircraft came on the scene. Fairly fast, very maneuverable, capable of a good rate of climb, it was dominant in the Pacific at the beginning of World War II. One of the markings for the Minicraft A6M2 is from the Soryu at Pearl Harbor, the other is for the “Akutan Zero” which crash landed almost intact in the Aleutians, and was flown by the US Navy for evaluation. The KitTwo sprues of light gray plastic and a clear canopy. The wing and horizontal stabilizer are each one piece, with 2 fuselage halves, and a separate cowling. The landing gear is one-piece, with the wheels and gear legs molded onto the doors. A separate set of doors for “… more |
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Mitsubishi T-2 Photo etchPublished:
The Mitsubishi T-2 was a supersonic trainer for the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF). Like the T-38 and F-5 in the US, it was used as an aggressor aircraft and demonstration team mount as well as the original trainer mission. The T-2 used the same engine as the SEPECAT Jaguar, the Rolls Royce Turbomeca Adour, built in Japan by Ishikawajima – Harima Heavy Industries. The Jaguar T.2 and the Mitsubishi T-2 look similar, but they’re definitely not the same aircraft. It’s a case of engineers with the same problem coming up with similar solutions. The Hasegawa kit of the T-2 was originally released with decals for the “Blue Impulse” demonstration team. It has been recently re-released with new decals for JASDF aggressors. I bought a Blue Impulse kit at a swap meet, and thought… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf-110C ZerstorerPublished:
The AircraftIn the early 1930s there was a general consensus, particularly among the bomber cadre that Giulio Douhet was right, and that the bomber would always get through to the target, no matter what. On the other side of this discussion were the fighter jocks, who KNEW that shooting down bombers would be simple, and that their superior aircraft, skill and airmanship would always overcome whatever stratagems and defenses the bomber barons could devise. The answer to these arguments was a compromise, a fighter with enough range to accompany the bombers and enough firepower to defeat the enemy fighters. Most major air forces came to this conclusion also. The results were:
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F-4E Phantom IIPublished:
The AircraftIf you aren’t at least familiar with the F-4 Phantom II, you have either lived in a cave or a monastery for the last 50 years. Or you might be a WW2 fanatic. The Phantom was produced in huge numbers (5195) and sold to many countries (11). The US Air Force, Navy and Marines used the F-4. The last of the Phantoms are now flying with the Turkish Air Force, Japan and South Korea. This kit is the F-4E, an Air Force version with the internal 20 mm cannon. If you’re interested in less well known air forces, the F-4E has been used by Australia, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, South Korea, and Turkey. Germany also had some F-4Es, but they were based at Holloman in New Mexico with the Luftwaffe training group. The KitThis model is a re-molding of… more |
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Consolidated PB2Y CoronadoPublished:
When I heard that IPMS had this book for review, I begged and pleaded to get it, for two reasons; I was in the process of building the Anigrand 1/144 PB2Y-5, and I know a WW2 veteran who flew PB2Ys in the war. Ed Cooper has a lot to say about the quality and factual content of the book. Since he still has his log book from 1944-45, he was able to check facts and dates. Also, he has that great comeback about how something happened: “Have I heard about it? I was THERE!!” Ed Cooper: The Pilot’s Perspective.Hi, I’m Ed Cooper, and I flew the PB2Y-5 in both VPB-4 and VPB-13. My good friend, Jim Pearsall, how is building a model of the PB2Y, has allowed me to review this book. How exciting and what a joy I have experienced. In the short time allowed, I have skimmed this… more |
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3 Stooges – Moe, Curly and LarryPublished:
The StoogesThe 3 Stooges started out in Vaudeville in the 1930s as Ted Healy and his Stooges, but moved into movies, first at MGM, then to Columbia. Their short films were wildly popular, and although shorts fell out of favor in general, the Stooges kept the Columbia short film department open long after other studios had given up on them. There were actually 5 Stooges in the movies. When the act started, Moe (Moe Howard), Shemp (Moe’s brother Sam Howard) and Larry (Larry Fine) were the original 3 Stooges. Shemp left the act due to Ted Healy’s actions. Shemp was replaced by another Howard brother, Curly (Curly Howard). In 1946 Curly suffered a stroke, and appeared as a cameo in only one movie after that. Shemp returned to the act in 1947, and remained a Stooge until… more |