German WW I Machine Gun Spandau LMG 08/15 (2pcs)

Published: February 25, 2018
Company: Master Model

Master Models’ Spandau product consists of a beautifully etched and rolled set of cooling jackets, 2 exquisitely machined barrels, two tiny muzzles, and a sheet of 3 pairs of photo etched jacket ends – the front incorporating a ring sight, the rear having a bracket. MM considerately includes a spare set of these, which, amazingly, I did not have to use – no sacrifices to the carpet gods this… more

F-106A Delta Dart

Published: December 28, 2017
Company: Trumpeter

As the follow-on to the F-102 Delta Dagger and a beneficiary of the area rule applied to later models of that predecessor aircraft, the F-106 was known as the “ultimate interceptor”. Serving almost 30 years in the USAF, various ANG units, and as a NASA research platform, the F-106A saw a production run of 277 aircraft. Equipped with a Hughes MA-1 integrated fire control system designed to link… more

Bachem Ba-349 Natter M52/M58

Published: December 4, 2016
Company: Brengun

Brengun has been giving us fans of the smaller scales some wonderful products to work with. This 2 in 1 kit is no exception. Housed in a box about the size of a Samsung Galaxy 7 (but less likely to catch fire on your workbench), the Brengun kit of this failed Luftwaffe wonder weapon consists of 2 identical sets of sprues and two clear canopies, allowing you to build 2 different prototypes.… more

Shinkai 6500 Manned Research Submersible

Published: November 21, 2015
Company: Hasegawa

First launched in 1991, the SHINKAI 6500 is a manned submersible that can dive to depths of 6,500 meters (20,000 feet). Operated by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Shinkai has completed over 1300 deep dives in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, as well as the Sea of Japan.

In 2012, the vessel underwent a major upgrade, including conversion from… more

Paint Thinner for Enamel Paints

Published: September 15, 2015
Company: Squadron Products

While at this year's National Contest and Convention, Jeff Johnston of MMD-Squadron was kind enough to provide several sample sizes of this new product. As implied in the name, the thinner is designed to work with all brands and types of enamel paints. While my paint collection isn't extensive enough to prove this, I did try the product with several brands of paint (Testor's traditional ¼ oz… more

Multi-Shape Punch Set and Accessory Packs

Published: September 12, 2015
Company: UMM-USA

At this year's National Convention in Columbus, master modeler John Vojtech provided us with a number of new product samples from his company UMM-USA. UMM, Unique Master Models, lives up to its name by offering an extensive variety of tools, aftermarket detailing supplies, decal sets and the like. (Be sure to peruse John's National Award winning models when you enter the site) .

VH-34D "Marine One" Helicopter

Published: June 5, 2015
Company: Gallery Models

I've had a hankering to build an H-34 Choctaw for some time now. When the Gallery Models kit was released, I debated which version to build, but I've always had an eye for that distinctive Marine Green under White scheme on the VH-34 variant. When Dave offered up the 1/48 VH-34D Marine One kit, I jumped at it.

This is my first Gallery Models offering, and I am impressed by a number of… more

F-14A Tomcat, VF-111 Sundowners, "Miss Molly"

Published: March 22, 2015
Company: Hasegawa

OK, let me start by admitting it – this one kicked my modeling butt.

But before we go there, a little history of the personal and Tomcat varieties. When Dave and Dick put this kit up for grabs, I made an impassioned plea to be the reviewer. Several drivers – first of all, I worked for Grumman for 21 years, starting straight out of college as a mewling infant of an engineer. I was… more

F-14 Tomcat Landing Gear (Has)

Published: March 11, 2015
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

I was in the midst of building Hasegawa's 1/72 F-14A Tomcat when a new list of review items came out and SAC's gear for the mighty 'Cat was one of the available goodies. Having already done some work on the kit landing gear, it provided a great opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison.

SAC's gear come in an attractive clear bubble/card packaging emblazoned with the (USAF) SAC logo.… more

MOTORAMA – GM's Legendary Show and Concept Cars

Published: February 19, 2015
Book Author(s): David Temple
Company: Specialty Press

GM's Motorama was a 12-year (1949-1961) marketing extravaganza designed to showcase the current line of GM products while dazzling the target audience with some amazing prototype and dream car exercises. Ultimately curtailed due to rising costs, Motorama was nonetheless a major “hit” for The General,

29 domestic and 23 GM-Canada Motoramas took place, at venues ranging from NY, Los… more