Pablo Bauleo
Reviews By Author
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FT17 / M1917 WWI Tanks WalkaroundPublished:
The FT-17 and its American copy, the M1917, set the stage for the modern tank by having a revolving turret, a front driver, and a rear engine. It was used by armed forces of many different countries and it was still in service with some minor European armies at the outbreak of WWII. The book is profusely illustrated with color photographs, although all the pictures are from restored units in museums. Four view line drawings provide details of both the M1917 and the FT-17. The pictures correspond to over a dozen examples from different museums across the world and they are depicted in different camouflages and markings, providing ideas to modelers on how to finish their kits. Modelers will find the line drawings very useful, while the all-around pictures provide… more |
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Peterbilt 352 CaboverPublished:
This kit is molded in light blue, black and chrome parts. It has 59 parts and is being marketed as “snap tite.” The kit has no engine, but the oil pan and the transmission are present. The fit is good for the most part. I only had trouble with the chrome parts fits. I was not able to get them to snap, and some of the chrome parts (like the tanks) have sizable gaps. I put together the chassis and wheels, then checked for misalignments. I only had to add a small shim to one of the suspension parts to get all the tires to touch the ground. I painted the chassis/wheels assembly flat black and the cab in “true blue.” This is a good kit for a kid getting into the hobby, or a grown-up who just wants a break from more complex builds. I had fun putting this kit together and… more |
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9. Panzer Division 1940-1943Published:
Mushroom Model Publications continues expanding its Green Line series devoted to armor units. Its latest installment is “9. Panzer Division 1940-1943.” Given the timeline on the title, one can only speculate that this book will be followed up by a second volume devoted to the history of the unit in 1944-1945. The current book covers the history of the unit, from its inception as an “Austrian” unit through its deployment in the 1940 Blitzkrieg in the West as it moved into the Balkans involvement in 1941 in the Balkans (Greece and Yugoslavia). Most of the book is actually devoted to the unit’s involvement in the Eastern Front, covering Barbarossa (1941), the summer offensive of 1942, and the bloody battles of Kursk in 1943. The book includes a very short description of the unit’s… more |
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Pre-painted Marsden/PSP BasePublished:
Eduard is planning to release a pre-painted injected plastic PSP base. The base has a copyright of 1999 in the back, so I think it is the “old” PSP base which now gets a pre-painted treatment. What about the pre-painting? It is great. Deep browns and grey shades, with a touch of lighter spots and rusty shades. This is not just pre-painted, it is weathered, too!! Now, be aware that the sides of the base are left in bare plastic (white). You might want to consider painting the sides to match the colors of the top and maybe to apply a wash to the overall base to bring out detail. What is the quality and detail of the plastic? It is outstanding as we became used from Eduard. No flash or molding flaws. Clean and crisp details. The dimensions are 164 mm x 234 mm. It will fit a… more |
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P-51C "Bendix Racer"Published:
Accurate Miniatures P-51C has been re-boxed many times. This is the “Bendix Racer” boxing of it. You get the standard sprues, which is a full military P-51C (i.e. machine guns are included in the kit). Probably the main, and really the only problem about this kit, is the instructions. To begin with, they are very confusing regarding the left and right parts for the rear fuselage. You just have to use your common sense. Besides, it is very obvious which part is the left (or right) part of the fuselage; just look at the drawings and ignore the part number. I assembled and detailed the cockpit as per instructions. Then I departed from the instructions by first gluing the forward and rear parts of each fuselage together, then assembling both full fuselages sides together.… more |
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Alpha Precision Abrasives Modeler's Introductory PackagePublished:
Alpha Precision Abrasives is a manufacturer of industrial abrasives. It also has selection of abrasive tools for the hobbyist. Master Detail is packaging a selection of Alpha Precision Abrasives products into an introductory package. The package includes
The sanding files are really nice. They bend enough as to follow curved parts without damaging or deforming them, while still have enough ‘hardness’ as to get the sanding job done. You can clean them and re-use them several times (see below). They are color coded in each… more |
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Predator MQ-1APublished:
[Japanesse] manufacturer Platz has expanded its UAV line to cover several versions of the Predator. This review covers the MQ-1A one, which is the armed one. The kit is molded in light plastic and two sprues. You get 6 marking options, but there are plenty of extra decals in the sheet, so you can probably find enough markings for almost any predator in service. Wings are one piece, helping to set the proper dihedral which is critical on an airplane with such a long wingspan relative to the fuselage. Given that there is no cockpit, assembly is quick and easy. It took me about two hours to prepare the parts and assemble them. I left the landing gear out the kit for ease of painting. Both tail surfaces have molded-in pitot tubes (or at least I think that is… more |
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Polish Wings 13 - Spitfire Mk IX 1942-1943 (Part 1)Published:
Stratus Publishing continues its line of “Polish Wings”, this time with a book devoted to the Spitfire Mk IX and its pilots during the period 1942-1943. Among the first polish pilots to fly the Spitfire Mk IX were members of the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) which will deliver airplanes from the assembly line to operational squadrons. Among them were at least two female polish pilots, which got to fly the Spitfire Mk IX before the operational polish pilots in the RAF. Apparently that didn’t go over well at the time, but I’m glad that the record is kept straight and recognition is given to whom it deserved (in this case, two female pilots). The book is structured following the squadron and HQ flights of the 1stPolish Wing at Northolt, including 306 Sqn, 315 Sqn… more |
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Rocket Launcher UB-16 and UB-32Published:
Czech manufacturer Eduard continues expanding its “Brassin” line of detail parts for aircraft. This time they are offering the UB-16 and UB-32 rocket launcher which has seen widespread use in Soviet designed aircraft, like L-39, MiG-21/23/27, Su-7/17/20/22, and Yak-28/38. The detail kit includes 10 resin parts (casted in two different resin colors) and a small PE fret with another 6 parts. Resin parts are nicely detailed with great surface detail and very cleanly casted, with small pour stabs. Photoetch parts are exquisitely thin and very easy to work with. It took me a total of 30 minutes to get all four rocket launcher assembled. The assembly is simple and straightforward but releasing the parts R3 and R4 (rocket launcher back cones) from their pour stabs requires… more |
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WWII U.S. Sherman TanksPublished:
The M4 Sherman is probably the most easily recognizable American tank ever built. This book focuses in the variants and used by the American Army in World War II. Variants cover include: Small Hatch M4, Small Hatch M4A1, Small Hatch M4A2, Small Hatch M4A3 75 mm, M4 Composite, M4 105 Howitzer, Large Hatch M4A1 (76)W, Large Hatch M4A2, Large Hatch M4A3 75 mm, Large Hatch M4A3 (76)W, M4A4 (105), M4A3E2, M4A6, M4A3E8 and a section devoted to specialized uses like Amphibious (DD Tanks), Bulldozer, Flamethrowers, etc. The book is profusely illustrated with close to 200 B&W pictures and several color period pictures as well. There are just a few color profiles. The book covers variants that saw services in North Africa, Italy, D-Day, and the Western Front –including the… more |