Pablo Bauleo
Reviews By Author
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Bae Hawk All VariantsPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the 1/48 Bae Hawk and it can be used with all variants of that kit. The set includes 7 parts with the following breakdown two main landing gear struts, plus actuator arms for the above and a tail wheel. The parts are finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts. I should say that these parts are more than just drop-in replacements. Some of the white metal parts actually comprise the equivalent of a few plastic parts, so you get an easier job of assembling the landing gear as you have fewer parts to deal with. In addition, you don’t have to deal with cleaning seam lines. … more |
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IAR-80 Metal Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the 1/48 Hobbyboss IAR-80. The set includes 5 parts with the following breakdown: two main landing gear struts plus actuator arms for the above and a tail skid. The parts are finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts. I should say that these parts are more than just drop-in replacements. Many of the white metal parts actually comprise the equivalent of a few plastic parts, so you get an easier job of assembling the landing gear as you have fewer parts to deal with. Note that in this particular set, you will have to bend “open” the wheel fork for the main landing gear… more |
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Macchi 202Published:
Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the 1/48 Hasegawa Mc 202 (also Eduard “Folgore”), and at least for the main landing gear, it can be used with the Hasegawa/Italeri Mc.205 “Veltro” as well. Perhaps the tail wheel, but I’m not sure. The set includes 5 parts with the following breakdown: two main landing gear struts, actuator arms, and a tail wheel. The parts are finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts. I should say that these parts are more than just drop-in replacements. Some of the white metal part would be comprised by the equivalent of several plastic parts, so you have an easier job of assembling the… more |
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F-8E Crusader "Shin Kazama"Published:
Hasegawa has re-released his 1/48 F-8E Crusader, this time with the markings of “Shin Kazama”, the lead character of a Japanese TV show called “Area 88” (You can find out about the TV show online) Make no mistake, the markings provided in the box might be for Manga-fan characters, but the plastic in the box is the same than in any other of the Hasegawa releases and that is great news! You get a total of 14 sprues (one clear) plus 3 small sprues of polycaps. Despite the high number of sprues, the total number of parts is about 120 parts, making the build to be reasonable engaging, while not overwhelming. This kit has been around for 15 or so years and it has been re-boxed many times. Despite that, there is no flash anywhere, it has exquisite surface detail and… more |
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Macchi Mc. 205 "Veltro"Published:
Italeri has released a boxing of the very good 1/48 Hasegawa Mc. 205, which is enhanced by a super decal sheet for 6 different camouflages. Not only that, but the decal sheet includes “smoke rings”! I believe this is the first time that “smoke rings” are included as part of a regular boxing. Like most airplanes models construction starts with the cockpit and this is no exception. The plastic parts are capable of delivering a convincing “front office” if care is taken during painting. The instrument panel faces are provided as decals and they certainly enhance the look of the panel as the pictures show. I decided to add a set of Eduard Photo-Etch Italian Seatbelts (Steel) to round up the cockpit. It would have been nice to see at least a decal to reproduce the seatbelt. … more |
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F6F-5(N) NightfighterPublished:
Eduard has released a full line of Hellcats in 1/48 scale, covering from the early -3, to the late -5, including night fighter versions and even Royal Navy service markings. This particular boxing is the Weekend edition of the -5(N), with neither mask nor photoetch, but with two options for decals and a small number of resin parts to make the conversion to “night fighter”. When I opened the box I found a total of 5 sprues (one clear) and 3 small resin casting for details like radio-altimeter, exhausts, radar housing for the starboard wing and cannons with nicely casted flash dampers. FYI: the nightfighter version of the Hellcat was capable of carrying a 20 mm cannon. A note on the sprues: one of them –the fuselage one- was molded in tan, while the rest of the sprues… more |
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The Suomi Submachine GunPublished:
Osprey Publishing continues to expand its weapon series, this time by adding a book on the exemplary Finnish-made Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun. The book has a very reasonable breakdown of the following chapters: Introduction, development, use, impact, conclusion and bibliography, plus an index. I’ve found particularly interesting the development, use and impact chapters. They were clearly really well researched and it included descriptions of the weapon characteristics, as well as the description of its use in combat by the Finnish ski troops against the Soviet troops. It should be noted that this submachine gun could also be used as a sniper gun, giving its high accuracy up to distances of several hundred meters. Perhaps one of the best compliments to the… more |
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F6F-5N Hellcat Nightfighter - Weekend PhotoetchPublished:
Eduard has an outstanding line of F6F Hellcat models in both Profipack and Weekend boxings and it has released photoetch frets for the Weekend line as a stand-alone item. The Weekend models have only plastic parts (as opposed to the Profipack boxes), but at times you might want to enhance the look of them by adding some photoetch, hence the Weekend Photoetch frets. Often they only cover the cockpit, the part number tends to be low, and the parts require limited bending, hence being a simplified version of the full photoetch fret of the Profipack package. In particular, this fret is devoted to the night-fighter version of the Hellcat used during the last few years of WWII. Note that the instrument panel (IP) includes a visor/screen for the radar. In addition to an IP, you also… more |
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Macchi 202 FolgorePublished:
Eduard has released a boxing of the very good 1/48 Hasegawa Mc. 202, which is enhanced by the addition of two photo-etch frets (one pre-painted), resin parts and a paint mask. Not only that, but you get Cartograf-printed decals with markings for 6 colorful Folgores. It is an amazing offering. Like most airplane model construction starts with the cockpit and with two photoetch-frets it means you are going to have quite the detailed “front office”. Some plastic parts need to be modified, removed or replaced, including parts of the cockpit floor, cockpit sides and instrument panel. Note that on the left cockpit side there is a wheel –mounted on top of PE box. If mounted as indicated in the instructions -or at least on where I think the instructions indicate it-… more |
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Decal Solution Mark Fit and Mark Fit StrongPublished:
In recent years Tamiya has expanded their model line to include finishing supplies like panel line accents, diorama materials, decal setting solutions, etc. This particular review will cover the following decal setting solutions : Like all decal solutions, and most modeling supplies, make sure you use them in a well ventilated area. While the Mark Fit solution is not that smelly, the Mark Fit Strong has a strong vinegar smell and both have a warning about fumes being dangerous. Based on the instructions for both solutions they instruct you to apply the decal as always, and once you blotted the water off, to put… more |