Mike Hinderliter
Reviews By Author
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P-51 D/K Mustang Propeller w/ToolPublished:
Quickboost has added the P-51D/K propeller to their line of resin aircraft accessories. The blades are molded separately from the spinner and a tool is provided for the proper blade pitch during installation. This latest addition is molded in a grayish resin, smooth, seamless and bubble free. One thing of note is that they are easy to remove from the mold block taking only a couple of minutes with a saw blade to remove them. I researched the difference between a P-51 D and K model and this is what I found out. The Inglewood plant that was manufacturing the P-51D was at max capacity so the Dallas plant was brought back in to help like it was for the P-51B, designated C when manufactured in Dallas. The P-51D designation was kept when it was manufactured in Dallas but when… more |
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AV-8B Harrier Wheels and Paint MaskPublished:
Aires has added the wheels and masks for the AV-8B Harrier to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in a grey resin; it’s smooth, seamless and bubble free. For comparison I pulled out a Tamiya and an Airfix Harrier from my stash. There really is no comparison. The Aires parts are solid and have a crisper detail. The paint masks are also a very welcome addition to assist in painting. Aires doesn’t recommend any particular kit, which would have helped out because the front wheel they provide won’t work with the 2 kits I compared it with. The Tamiya and Airfix kits had the front wheel molded onto the strut. The two center wheels worked well. I very highly recommend this product if you want a nice set of tires for your Harrier model. I’d… more |
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F6F Hellcat Wheels (type A) & paint masksPublished:
Aires has added the Type A wheels and masks for the F6F Hellcat to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in a grey resin, is smooth, seamless and bubble free. When I compared the type A tire to the type B tire I found that the type A had a diamond tread look to it, while the type B had smooth sides and a few lines that circled the tire. That’s all I could find about the different types except that they were used as a “that’s what we have at the moment” type of application. For comparison I pulled out a Heller Hellcat from my stash. There really is no comparison. The Heller tires are molded as separate halves that have to be glued together while the Aires parts are solid with no seam to sand down and the paint masks are a very welcome addition… more |
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Su-27 Flanker (Late) Wheels and Paint MasksPublished:
Aires has added the wheels and masks for the SU-27 Flanker to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in a grey resin; it’s smooth, seamless and bubble free. For comparison I pulled out an Italeri Sea Flanker from my stash but found out that the Sea Flanker had 2 wheels up front. I called a friend of mine and he had the right kit so I compared it to the Encore SU-27. The Aires parts seem to be a little more detailed than the Encore wheels and the Aires paint masks are a very welcome addition to assist in painting. I very highly recommend this product if you want a nice set of tires for your SU-27 model. I’d like to thank Aires Hobby Models and IPMS USA for the chance to do this review. |
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SH-3G Sea King HelicopterPublished:
The U.S. Navy started converting SH-3A and SH-3D Sea King Helicopters into the Utility version designated SH-3G, eventually converting 105 early airframes into this version. The conversion included removing all of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) gear and provisions to install 175 gallon external fuel tanks on the lower sponson supports. The G model was also outfitted with an improved refueling system that would allow it to Hover In-flight. Using this system it could hover over a ship and using the rescue hoist cable, bring the refueling hose aboard and fuel. The Navy also strengthened the load area of the floor to handle heavier loads. All SH-3G models were fitted with smaller non-ASW sponsons since it was no longer being used in the ASW role. Some of the earlier conversions were… more |
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F-102A Delta Dagger Anti Collision LightsPublished:
Quickboost has added the anti collision lights for the F-102A to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in blue, red and clear resin. It’s smooth, seamless and bubble free. There is no comparison between the Quickboost parts and the Meng parts. The Meng kit has the lights molded on and you are supposed to paint them the appropriate colors. Quickboost has the right idea, just drill out the area where the light is supposed to go and add the proper colored piece with a drop of glue. The best part is that they actually look like a colored light and you don’t have to paint them. I only wish that they had included a small instruction sheet like they did for the antenna and detail set (QB 72-415). I very highly recommend this product if you… more |
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F-102A Delta Dagger Bomb Bay Covers PistonsPublished:
Quickboost has added the bomb bay pistons for the F-102A to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in a gray resin, it’s smooth, seamless and bubble free. The package label says that it is for a bomb bay but it is actually called a missile bay because the F-102 was an interceptor not a bomber. Comparing the Quickboost parts to the Meng parts you will see that the Meng pistons are molded to the missile bay doors and that the Quickboost pistons have a more 3D look to them because they are separate parts. To use the Quickboost parts you will have to shave off the molded on pistons and replace them with the new Quickboost parts. Removal of the Quickboost parts is very easy because they have a little bit of a perforation and can be removed from the… more |
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F-102A Delta Dagger Correct NosePublished:
Quickboost has added the correct nose for the F-102A to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in a gray resin, it’s smooth, seamless and bubble free. One thing of note is that the package says that it is for the Delta Dart, but it should read for the Delta Dagger. Comparing the Quickboost parts to the Meng parts is a little hard to see. Once I took a photo I could really see the difference. The kit part looks narrower to the Quickboost part and closer to photos that I looked at. Replacing the nose is actually an easy process because Meng molded their nose as a separate piece. Just remove the Quickboost nose from the mold block and use CA glue to put it into place. I very highly recommend this product if you want a nice and detailed F-… more |
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F-102A Delta Dagger Antennas and DetailsPublished:
Quickboost has added the antennas and details for the F-102A to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in a smoke, red and clear resin, it’s smooth, seamless and bubble free. Comparing the Quickboost parts to the Meng parts is no comparison because they are replacing the little sticks and nubs that are already molded onto the fuselage or as in the case of QB parts #2 aren’t even there to begin with. You know, those little things sticking out in your way as you build and that eventually tend to disappear as you handle it. The thing that I like is that they already come molded in color and I don’t have to paint them. Just remove them from the mold blocks, remove the old antennas and lights from the kit body, which ever ones are still there and… more |
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F/A-18E/F Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions makes various landing gear sets from lead-free white metal. Some come with the wheels attached, if needed. Others might have the wheel bay included to help with added weight, but most only come with the new landing gear struts. The detail of the metal parts is much crisper and looks flawless. The advantage to these parts is their strength, and that they won’t warp under the kit’s weight over time. They will also hold up well while you work with them – no accidentally snapping them apart. To attach the new landing gear, you will need to use CA glue. On SAC’s website, they recommend a gap-filling CA glue so the gear can be positioned the way you want it, and then using an accelerator to bond the parts instantly. I highly recommend this product. I… more |