Michael A. Turco
Reviews By Author
The History of Science Fiction and its Toy FigurinesPublished: April 23, 2024 “The History of Science Fiction and Its Toy Figurines” by author Luigi Toiati is a substantial and weighty hardback of 528 glossy pages with 470 pictures (See Photo 1). Although it may feel like one, the author claims in the Forward that it is not an encyclopedia or boring treatise or catalogue, but instead the reader should “consider it a promenade through sci-fi and the toy figurines linked… more |
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Battleship USS Missouri BB-63, Part 3Published: June 28, 2023 This Report 3 covers the completion of the build from Steps 49 through 64. As stated in the previous two reports, the fit of plastic parts was excellent. Issues encountered involved the handling and attachment of small plastic and thin PE parts, particularly where there is little if any gluing surface, and with lack of detail in the instructions. None of the issues are deal killers.… more |
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Battleship USS Missouri BB-63, Part 2Published: April 30, 2023 Report 2: Midway through ConstructionThis second report covers the build from Steps 26 through 48 of 64. It is essentially the assembly of the upper decks prior to attachment of the stacks and their associated appurtenances. Through this point in the build, most of the parts fit exceptionally well, to the extent that some can be press fit together. When you encounter one… more |
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Battleship USS Missouri BB-63, Part 1Published: April 12, 2023 This is the first of three reports on the Hobby Boss 1:350 USS Missouri model kit. Two subsequent reports are planned, the second report at approx. the mid-point of the build and the third upon completion. The USS Missouri was the third Iowa class battleship built for the US Navy and was completed in 1944. It is famous for being the ship on which the Japanese surrender was signed to… more |
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Lockheed Martin F-22A RaptorPublished: February 14, 2023 This review is of the Italeri 1:48 scale Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor, kit #2822, a 2022 reissue of their 1999 kit with new decals. The kit claims to represent the F-22A production version. See Photo 1. The box contains two large bags of parts, one small bag with the slightly gold-tinted canopy and clear head up display screen, the decal set and a 12-page instruction booklet with sprue… more |
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SR-71 Blackbird Landing Gear (Revell)Published: February 4, 2023 Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) is a Texas based company that has been marketing resin and white metal parts for scale model aircraft for well over 20 years. In perusing their website, it’s hard to find an aircraft kit for which they don’t make a metal landing gear set. There are currently about 228 available sets in the 1/48 scale jets list alone. I’ve used them at least a half-dozen times… more |
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Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor 3D Quickset Instrument PanelsPublished: January 23, 2023 My modeling experience detailing aircraft cockpits includes:
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Bottled Lacquer Paints, LP-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -9Published: February 13, 2022
I’ve used Tamiya lacquers in spray cans for years and they are my go to paints for the bulk of my car and aircraft models. Their quick drying and smooth coating, especially the gloss lacquers, provide show-level finishes. Now,… more |
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Single No. 25 – Lockheed F-104G StarfighterPublished: June 24, 2021 This book is as single-minded as one can be. Don’t look for a title page, a table of contents, an index, or any text for that matter. They are not to be found. It is an 8-1/4” x 11-3/4” glossy paperback with 24 pages of nothing but information and pictures of the -G model Starfighter as flown by non-US licensees, i.e., the “Single” subject.. The publisher’s catalog (Mushroom Model… more |
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F-104G/J, CF-104 Landing GearPublished: April 8, 2021 Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) is a Texas based company that has been marketing resin and white metal parts for scale model aircraft for over 20 years. They endeavor to be accurate in their moldings, claiming to correct inaccuracies if found. I have bought about a half dozen of their metal landing gear sets in the past, all of which have turned out to be excellent replacements for the… more |