Luke R. Bucci, PhD
Reviews By Author
IJN Mamiya KanmusuPublished: May 2, 2016 Bottom Line: Same model as Aoshima 01035 IJN Mamiya kit, 1931 fit, but with Kantai Collection Fleet Girls (KanColle Kanmusu) extras to accompany the model. Simple but effective portrayal of a Japanese Navy supply ship. Great detail, easy to assemble (mostly), only one glaring issue. Note that Kanmusu collection kits are not intended for non-Japanese builders so instructions… more |
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British 4.7"/45 (120mm) QF Marks IX and XII BarrelsPublished: February 12, 2016 Thanks to Master-Model for the barrels and IPMSUSA staff for handling the request and publishing this review. Bottom LineMaster-Model supplies the ultimate barrels for 4.7in/45 (120mm) main guns for most WW2 British destroyer classes. Master-Models of Poland is rapidly producing almost all barrels for guns larger than four inches from the major navies of WW2 and most… more |
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Tirpitz Photoetch SetPublished: August 2, 2015 Bottom LineEduard has produced a single fret of finely detailed, finely scaled brass photoetch parts specific to the 1/700 scale Revell 05099 DKM Tirpitz injection-molded, polystyrene model. Highly recommended for this kit. What You GetA single, medium-sized, brass photoetch fret of railings, C30 20mm single guns, some masts and spars, multipart cable reels,… more |
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Heavy Duty Cruiser Aoba Class Aircraft RailsPublished: March 21, 2015 Bottom LineVery specific and highly detailed photoetch set to equip one of only two Imperial Japanese Navy WW2 warships: heavy cruisers Aoba and Kinugasa. What You GetThis limited scope, steel photoetch set is strictly for two IJN warships: Aoba (Hasegawa 054, 43305, 43347 retool) and Kinugasa (Hasegawa 064, 43307, 43348 retool… more |
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WWII IJN Ship Windows & Sealed Cap for PortholesPublished: January 28, 2015 Lion Roar has produced an ideal product for superdetailers: a value-priced set of 1/700 scale (late-war) porthole covers and “eyebrows” for portholes (hull and superstructure) for Imperial Japanese Navy warships. What You GetLion Roar photoetch set R7038, 1/700 WWII Imperial Japanese Navy Ship Windows & Sealed Cap for Portholes, does not actually contain any windows or… more |
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WWII 1/700 IJN Catapults PhotoetchPublished: February 3, 2020 Bottom Line: Very accurate and finely detailed WW2 IJN catapults for cruisers and capital ships with cradles and trolleys. Four catapults per set. As good as or better than other photoetch IJN catapult sets, but has some assembly issues. WW2 Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Aircraft CatapultsCatapults were added to all IJN cruisers, including heavy, light and… more |
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USS Maryland 1941Published: February 10, 2020 Finally, a long-awaited need is met! – an injection-molded 1/700 styrene plastic kit of the USS Maryland at Pearl Harbor (December 1941), in correct appearance. A good value, an easy build, and a fine-looking model with some photo etch. USS Maryland BB46The USS Maryland (nicknamed Fighting Mary or Old Mary by her crew) was the… more |
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Battlecruiser – Fast Battleship Haruna – Super Drawings in 3DPublished: March 20, 2013 Bottom LineAn ultimate and highly detailed modeler’s guide to building IJN Haruna in late 1944 fit. Targeted to 1/350 scale, but suitable for all other scales. Kagero has produced over a dozen books on WW2 warships that use computer graphics in 3D to provide superb detail. This latest book on the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) battlecruiser/fast battleship Haruna is once again… more |
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Italian 381mm/50 (15”) Model 1934 Gun BarrelsPublished: February 10, 2020 Bottom LinePerfect to-scale 15” (381mm) barrels for Littorio WW2 Italian warship class The Italian 381mm/50 (15”) gun barrels, 1934 Model, were the largest produced in Italy, with 40 being manufactured. They were designed by Ansaldo in 1934 for the Littorio battleships, but most were made by OTO. They were mounted in triple turrets, three turrets per ship.… more |
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Italian 152mm/55 (6”) Model 1936 Gun BarrelsPublished: December 1, 2012 Bottom Line: Perfect to-scale 6” (152mm) barrels for Littorio and Garibaldi WW2 Italian warship classes The latest secondary, or anti-torpedo boat, armament for new construction (Littorio battleship and Garibaldi light cruiser classes) was the 1936 model 152mm/55 caliber gun. This new gun was derived from the earlier 1926 and 1929 versions in use on… more |