Mike Kellner
Reviews By Author
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U-boat IXC Set 3Published:
Set 3 of the Eduard Photo etch set for the Revell U-505 submarine in 1/72 scale consists of detail for the hull. I’m not a “PE guy” but as with Part 2 of the Eduard sets, when asked, I accepted the challenge since I had the opportunity to build the sub. This set consists of one sheet of brass. Although the instructions do not show any removal of kit parts needed to install this set, I found that they adhere much better is you carefully remove the detail of the kit before gluing on the PE. It mostly consists of removing rivet detail. I cut the parts from the fret with a sharp #11 blade and sanded them smooth with a sanding stick. The instructions are clear and the parts fit perfectly. This would be a great “first try” at using photo etch if you haven’t done so before.… more |
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U-boat IXC Set 2Published:
Set 2 of Eduard's PE for the new Revell U-505 in 1/72 scale consists of detail for the deck plus the armament. I’m not particularly “into” photo etch, but when asked I accepted, since I had the opportunity to build the sub. This set consists of one sheet of brass. I started with the deck plates, as I thought they would be the easiest components. Although the instructions show that Eduard wants the builder to remove various kit parts which they mark in red, there was no removal needed for these parts. I found, however, that removing the kit details (rivets) in the areas where the plates fit worked much better because that way they lie flat. They fit great and adhered nicely with super glue. (I used Bob Smith Industries thin CA for attaching them). I built the armament… more |
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North American P-51 Mustang Part 2Published:
When I was first assigned this review I started four P-51D kits thinking I’d get a jump on things, but when the decals arrived I discovered they were meant for two P-51Bs and two Ds. So much for planning ahead. The decals were on register and looked great in the package. The four aircraft represented are:
Although there are markings specific for four… more |
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F9F Panther WingfoldsPublished:
Aires’ F9F Panther wingfold set comes in a bubble package, consists of 10 parts, and is made for the Hobby Boss F9F kit #87249. The pieces in the package are very nicely done and look great. To install the Aires sections, about 1/4 inch needs to be cut out of the kit’s wings. I “under-cut” mine (slightly less than a full cut) then filed them down until I got a good fit. I had to thin the Hobby Boss leading and trailing edges on the inside of the wings to get a good fit for the resin parts. Each fuselage side of the wingfold has 3 small tabs, and each wing side has two---these slide into the 3 on the fuselage side---just like the full size machine. But be careful; they’re very fragile. I broke one side sanding the joint and had to carefully glue them back on. I… more |
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Saturn V Apollo 11Published:
A direct descendant of the German V-2, NASA's Saturn V rocket was – and still is – the most powerful rocket in the world. It was developed over a period of seventeen years, with its final name and design being accepted in 1963. Apollo 11, the subject of this Dragon kit, was in some peoples’ estimation the greatest achievement of mankind. The mission itself was the fifth in the Apollo program and the second with an all-veteran crew. Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin comprised the crew, and Apollo 11’s LEM landed on the moon on July 20th, 1969. The first to step on the moon was Neil Armstrong who said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.. The command module is currently located in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Today… more |
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B-17F Flying Fortress "Knock-Out Dropper" Limited EditionPublished:
Designed in 1935, the B-17 became a force to reckon with by 1942 when the F model was introduced. It had a total production run of 3,405 – 2,300 by Boeing, 500 by Vega, and 605 by Douglas. This release by Hasegawa features a new set of decals, but the same basic moldings which this kit had 35 years ago: overall good fit, lightly raised panel lines, light grey plastic, and some sink marks expected in an older kit. It has 98 parts and comes in a nice box with a sturdy cardstock bottom and a nice glossy top. Although this kit was received in good condition, one of the main landing gear was broken. I’m not sure how that could happen unless it was in the packing stage. The props have ejector pin marks on their back sides near the hubs, but most of that can be sanded out. The… more |
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MJ1-B Bomb LoaderPublished:
The MJ1-B is a United States Air Force bomb loader built by Hydraulics International. It has served in various forms since the 1950's and sports a 3000 lb. lifting capacity and a 25-horsepower engine. It is able to lift up to a height of 78 inches and was widely used in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War. The kit consists of enough parts to build either the MJ1-B (the late version), or the earlier MJ1-A version. The solid resin parts are finely cast and the kit includes a figure for each version – a male for the early one and a female for the late one. All parts had to be cleaned and cut from their casting blocks, and are on the soft side. There was minimal flash on some parts which was easy to clean up. Care needs to be taken on the steering wheel and the side arms, as… more |
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Hawk 100 Series Landing GearPublished:
Intended for the Kinetic 1/32 scale Hawk 100 trainer kit, this SAC replacement gear set includes a nose gear, right and left mains, and the two main retract struts. The 5 metal landing gear pieces are finely cast and are made of a soft white metal which cleaned up in quick order with a file and a Flex-I-File. They’re the same length as the kit’s gear, but are slightly thinner in diameter. You’ll need to use the kit’s plastic part # D-38 to complete the nose gear. There are no instructions, so I just followed the kit's instructions. The kit’s nose gear has two halves in order to get the nose |
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Hawk 100 Series Advanced Jet TrainerPublished:
The Hawk 100 series jet trainer is a British two-seat, single-engine advanced jet trainer. It was selected for use in a joint venture between Bombardier Aerospace Corp. and Canada. Some were also ordered and built in Australia. It is used in many variants by many countries friendly to England. The kit is molded in light gray plastic and comes with a photo etched set; the clear parts are thin and very clear. The overall details were good, but some parts were soft and not sharp. There were sink holes in several places, among them the tops of the wings and the rocket rails. The kit gives the option of wing tip caps or missile rails if you want to arm the model; a drop tank is also included. Some extra parts weren’t used, which are probably for different versions. Since I… more |
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Mel's Drive InPublished:
This HO scale rendition of Mel’s Drive-In from the movie, American Graffiti, comes with a colorful and attractive box art. It’s a multi-media kit, with the exterior structure in plastic, but with the interior supplied on pre-printed card stock. The instructions are easy to follow and consist of 7 steps. The suggested colors are listed, but are basic, such as white, grey, and brick red. After a little online research I found an interior shot which I used for reference. The research indicated that the diner had a black and white floor. I simulated this by painting the floor white, then using black decal trim film for the tiles. The clear parts are made of some unknown type of flexible material. At first they appeared cloudy, but upon closer inspection, I… more |