Keith Gervasi
Reviews By Author
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Armored Half Track Multiple Gun CarriagePublished:
HistoryThe Half Track was used in virtually every theater of conflict during WW II and the Korean War. It proved to be a very versatile vehicle, with a top speed of over 40mph. The M-16, as it was officially designated, could be equipped to transport troops or different types of armament. This kit represents the M-16 fitted with twin .50 caliber machine guns in a power operated turret. The Half Track was a big vehicle, with an overall length of more than 256 inches. It was also heavy coming in at 20,767 pounds, which is over 10 tons. Part of the weight was due to the ¼ inch thick armor plating. The engine produced 140 horsepower put through an eight speed gearbox. The power was delivered to both the front wheels and the rear tracks. The KitUpon opening the… more |
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Sd.Kfz.167 Stug. IV ‘LAST PRODUCTION’Published:
History(From the Dragon web site) The Sturmgeschütz IV (also known as Sd.Kfz.167) was an assault gun produced in similar fashion to the more numerically common StuG.III. However, as its name suggests, it was based on the hull of the Panzer IV tank rather than the Panzer III. This came about because Alkett (a manufacturer of the StuG.III) was bombed in November 1943. Therefore, in an effort to increase assault gun production numbers, Krupp installed slightly modified StuG.III superstructures on the chassis of the Panzer IV. After production was approved on 6 December 1943, Krupp proceeded to build 1,108 StuG.IV vehicles between December 1943 and May 1945. While this number was far less than the StuG.III, Krupp did help ensure continuity of assault gun production.… more |
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F6F Hellcat ‘Flaps Down’ SetPublished:
This set by RES-IM is for the Eduard 1/72 Hellcat series and if you like posing your cats with the flaps down then this is the set for you. The small zip lock bag contains 3 resin plugs with all 18 parts on them. The flaps are on one, hinges on another and a new inner wing surface on the last. The parts can be removed easily BUT, care must be taken when removing as the hinges are small (one of mine tried to get away!) and the inner wing surface is pretty thin. The instruction sheet is just 4pictures of the actual build and is pretty easy to understand as all the parts are clearly labeled. Probably the toughest part was the small bit of surgery to the kit flaps themselves but its all straight cuts and some tedious grinding/sanding so just take your time…patience!! The kit flap… more |
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English Electric Lightning Landing GearPublished:
This is the Scale Aircraft Conversion (SAC) replacement landing gear set for the new tool Airfix EE Lightning kits and I must say that it is a very nice set. I took pictures of the kit parts and SAC parts side by side and as you can see they are pretty well detailed. You do have a little cleaning up to do because of mold seams but this is true with the kit parts also. Having built one of these already, it will be nice to have the metal nose gear for a little extra strength (due to the weight in the nose) on my next one. The detail on the parts is pretty good and should look very nice after painting. One thing to watch out for is that one of my pieces was a bent a little and had to be straightened out but really was not difficult to do. I highly recommend this set for anyone… more |
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Messerschmitt Me 410 B-6 / R-2Published:
HistoryThe twin engine fighter/bomber type of aircraft was a very popular design with the Luftwaffe during WWII. The Me 410 was a late war development of this concept and proved very versatile. The 1st versions were equipped as light bombers, while later variants moved more towards the destroyer style of aircraft. The B-6/R-2 had a Zaunkonig surface search radar array mounted in the nose for anti-shipping raids. The KitUpon opening the box you will find 3 sprues of grey & 1 clear injected molded plastic, 2 small photo etch (P/E) frets, 1 decal sheet and a 20 page instruction book. This kits debut was in 1997(Yes, I built one back then!) so there is a bit of flash on it but not too much. The canopy parts are pretty clear but also have a bit… more |
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English Electric Lightning F.2APublished:
HistoryEntering RAF squadron service in 1960, the Lightning represented a quantum leap in capability and performance over the RAF’s previous interceptor jets, offering Mach 2+ performance as well as a phenomenal rate of climb. Until its retirement in the 1980s, the Lightning had few rivals for outright speed and climbing ability, however it did have some shortcomings, most notably its lack of range as well as its limited armament of just two air to air missiles. The F3 Lightning introduced an enlarged ventral tank with later versions being equipped with over wing tanks, improving the range of the lightning further. These versions deleted the nose guns of the earlier variants, thus reducing the ability of the Lightning pilots to get in close with their opponents. They also… more |
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F-104G/S StarfighterPublished:
HistoryThe F-104 Starfighter was one of the most famous and long lasting aircraft in history. Entering service with the USAF in the 50s, variants of the F-104 flew into the mid-2000s. The G model was manufactured under license in several NATO countries was used as a multi role fighter-bomber due to its increased range and load capacity. The 104S is an upgraded version that the Italian Air force flew until replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon. The KitUpon opening a very large box you are presented with an enormous amount of plastic, 6 sprues of grey injected molded plastic, 1 sprue of clear parts, 1 small fret of photo etch, 2 large decal sheets, 1 photo reference book and a 47 page instruction manual. The plastic is flash free but the mold… more |
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F-104 20mm Vulcan CannonPublished:
True Details has made a very nice 20mm Vulcan cannon for the Hasegawa F-104 kits. All the parts are well molded, have nice detail and clean up very easy. 13 parts make up this set including: Gun body (one with the shroud and one without), gun nuzzle, bracket, reservoir, hatch, control box, duct, regulator(X2) and gun body support(X2). You will have to use aftermarket or the kit barrels and neither the kit nor this set includes the braces that stabilize the barrels so you will have to make those. One note - I wanted to use this in the new Italeri F-104 kit but it does not fit without a good bit of surgery although it gives me an excuse to pick up a Hasegawa kit now!!! Overall, I would recommend this set as it has much more detail than what you get with the Hasegawa kit… more |
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G917T (1939 production), German Army TruckPublished:
HistoryThe main part of the German Wehrmacht autopark during WWII formed 3t cargo trucks. One of the most numerous was the model G917T, which was produced since 1939 in German Ford plants in Cologne. This truck was equipped with a V8 engine and had rear drive only. G917T trucks were widely used in all German arms of service in all theatres up to the end of the war. Roughly 25,000 were produced in German plants from 1939 to 1941. The KitUpon opening the box you will find a bag with all 6 sprues (5 tan & 1 clear injected molded plastic) in it. Although the parts are well molded, some have a heavy seam line you will have to clean up. There are also many light pin marks that need to be addressed. If you have never worked on an ICM kit before, be forewarned… more |
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Fiat G.50bis Freccia “Regia Aeronautica”Published:
HistoryThe Fiat G.50 was Italy’s first single-seat, all-metal monoplane with an enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear. The prototype of the G.50 was first flown in 1937 and introduced into service in 1938. The G.50 served Italy in the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air force) in the Battle of Britain, in Africa, and in the Aegean theatre, and helped to defend against the invasion of Sicily. They also served in the Aviazione Legionaria (Italian Expeditionary Force) in Spain. 35 were flown to Finland and served in the two Finnish wars against the Soviets. Although fairly quick (max speed was 292mph) and maneuverable, it was lightly armed with just two 12.7mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns in the cowl. The KitUpon opening the box, you are… more |