Spitfire MK II LR Conversion Kit

Published: December 11, 2011
Company: 3D-Kits

In 1941, Britain had an idea on how to extend the range of the Spitfire MK II so that it would be able to escort and protect their bombers from the Luftwaffe further into Europe. This idea incorporated a 40 gallon fixed fuel tank under the port wing. The only problem was that speed and maneuverability suffered. The tanks were used by the RAF’s 66, 188, and 152 Squadrons.

This set is made by a company named 3D-kits in the UK. I went to their web site and was impressed with what I saw. They have one area where you can download a Spitfire control panel that you can make into a decal and there is information that will answer most questions you might have about the Spitfire conversions they make.

The parts come in a small ziplock-type bag with a small cardboard backing that… more

F-22 Raptor Cockpit Set

Published: November 18, 2011
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Aires now offers a resin cockpit set for the Fujimi F-22 Raptor. This set has very well detailed resin pieces as well as photo etch. They are molded in the standard Aires grey resin and are flash and bubble free. They also include a 4 page, blue paper diagram, which is also a real help.

The resin pieces include a cockpit tub, ejection seat, control console and the hydraulic lifts to hold the canopy in the open position, as well as a very nice looking HUD display. The photo etch is also exceptionally good. It comes with everything else you will need to detail this small work of art. The cockpit that comes with the Fujimi kit will make an acceptable office but the detail that can be added with the Aires set is exceptional. There is just that much more detail when compared to the… more

Buffalo Tail Cone and Wheel

Published: November 14, 2011
Company: Quickboost

Quickboost has added another resin aircraft accessory to their aircraft line. This time it is the tail cone and tail wheel to convert the Hasegawa Brewster Buffalo F-2A-2 into a Brewster Buffalo 339. It is up to their usual standards; molded in grey resin, smooth, seamless, and bubble-free. One thing of note is that they are really easy to remove from the mold block because of a nice perforation.

The Brewster Buffalo 339 was an export version of the United States Navy Buffalo F-2A. The 339 was modified from the naval version to have a lower rpm engine and a larger tail wheel and cone. It was sold to Finland, France and Britain to help bolster their aircraft at the start of World War 2.

This conversion is meant to be used with the Hasegawa kit and will be a very easy… more

F-22 Control Lever and Throttle

Published: November 14, 2011
Company: Quickboost

Quickboost just keeps adding to their line of resin aircraft accessories. Another addition is for the Revell F-22 Raptor. It is up to their usual standards: molded in grey resin, smooth, seamless, and bubble-free. One thing of note is that they are really easy to remove from the mold block because of a nice perforation.

The control lever and throttle that come in the Revell kit look okay and would make an acceptable model. The Quickboost replacements really look a lot better when compared to the kit parts. They are very easy to install and they just fit right in. in 1/72, these parts are very small but it is a great relief to know that, if you just fed the carpet monster your kit parts, you are able to replace them. The Quickboost set comes with two sets of control levers and… more

Spitfire Correct Antenna

Published: November 14, 2011
Company: Quickboost

Quickboost just keeps adding to their line of resin aircraft accessories. The latest addition is for the Spitfire. This time they have put out the correct antenna for the top of your Spitfire instead of the usual straight stick that comes in so many kits. It is up to their usual standards: molded in grey resin, smooth, seamless, and bubble-free. One thing of note is that they are really easy to remove from the mold block because of a nice perforation, but still be careful because they are very small and delicate.

In addition to the little “nubs” at the top, the antenna has a recessed groove in the side. Having never seen a Spitfire up close, I don’t know if it’s 100% accurate, but it sure looks good!

This set comes with 3 antennas, which is nice because you can add one to… more

F-16I Sufa Exhaust Nozzles

Published: October 21, 2011
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Aires now offers a resin replacement exhaust set for the F-16I Sufa. This set has very well-detailed resin pieces as well as a small photo etch afterburner. They are molded in the standard Aires grey resin and are flash and bubble free. They also include a 2 page, blue paper diagram, which is also a real help.

The resin pieces include the burner cans, turbine faces, and nozzles. There is also a photoetch piece for the afterburner which will really make the exhaust detail just pop out at you when looking at the model from the rear, especially when compared to the original kit parts.

After the resin pour blocks are cut away and the parts are assembled, it’s pretty much a drop-in assembly. The set also includes the fuselage end to fit the new exhaust parts.

I highly… more

Stratos 4 TSR.2MS

Published: October 2, 2011
Company: Airfix

My son was really excited when he saw that a model of the Stratos 4 was being put out by Airfix. He is an avid Anime fan and wanted us to build this model together. Before the kit even arrived, he had already brought out his DVDs of the Stratos 4 series. The Stratos 4 series was done by Studio Fantasia and Bandai Visual and directed by Takeshi Mori. The story is about the comet defense system that was formed when, 50 years earlier, scientists discovered that a group of comets was on a collision course with the Earth. The defense system comprises a two-tiered plan – the primary a space-based comet blaster group and the secondary a ground-based meteor sweeper group. The idea is for the space-based Comet Blaster ships to blow up the comets and the ground-based meteor sweeper group cleans… more

F4F Wildcat Stabilizer

Published: August 17, 2011
Company: Quickboost

Quickboost.net just keeps adding to their great line of quality resin aircraft accessories. The latest addition is for the Hasegawa F4F Wildcat. It is up to their usual standards; molded in grayish cream colored resin, smooth, seamless and bubble free. One thing of note is that they are really easy to remove from the mold block with just a few passes from a hobby saw.

The stabilizers that come in the Hasegawa kit are okay and are molded as one piece but the Quickboost.net parts are molded as two pieces so that they can be modeled in the down position. The Quickboost stabilizers are superior and add just that much more realism to the finished kit. The resin parts are very easy to install and fit in place perfectly.

I highly recommend this product if you want a really… more

Aces 2 Ejection Seat, Late Version

Published: August 15, 2011
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Aires has added the late model Aces 2 ejection seat to their 1/72 aircraft accessory line. Aires doesn’t specify any kit for this one so it should fit in any model aircraft that would use the Aces 2 seat. I picked the Italeri F-15. They also include 2 seats so you can do either two single seats or one 2 seat aircraft.

This offering is a quality piece of resin; smooth, seamless and bubble free. The detail is very nice and is far superior to the kit seats, which usually are 3 pieces and have seams to fix. All that is needed to install the seat is to remove the molding block and install it with a drop of CA. Another added plus for this set is that the seatbelts and other detail are included as a PE set.

I highly recommend this set if you want a superior looking kit,… more

Lockheed S-3A Viking Bomb Bay and Wheel Well

Published: November 25, 2021
Company: Pavla Models

Pavla has come out with a Bomb Bay and Wheel well set for the Hasegawa 1/72 S-3A Viking. When you first look at the Hasegawa kit you realize that the Bomb bay doors are molded in the closed position. This may be okay for the S-3B but the A model carried Torpedoes. After all it was a sub hunter, so who wouldn’t want a bomb bay?

This offering is really a quality set of resin pieces; smooth, seamless and bubble free. The detail is also very nice and doesn’t need any extra work to bring out the detail. Naturally, you will have to cut away those molded closed doors. Yes, once again into the breach, and drag out the hobby knives and saws and other implements of destruction. After I got the doors out of the way, the Pavla Bomb bay just fit right in. The amount of detail is unreal. The… more