Pat Villarreal
Reviews By Author
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The Riveter – Single Rivet Wheel 1.10 mm (1/32 & 1/35)Published:
UMM-USA has provided the reviewer core with a riveting tool for 1/32nd and 1/35th scale models. This is a single row rivet pounce wheel with a rivet pitch (distance between rivets) of 1.10 mm. Its main target use is for larger models of 1/32nd or 1/35th scale. The handle is made from a 3-D printer and the filament is colored white and black. An olive-green dot is colored into the handle and correlates to the size on the sheet packaging for 1.10 mm rivet pitch. I used this tool on a plastic sheet and then darkened it with a weathering wash to bring out the divot locations. I also placed a steel ruler as reference to see the pitch distance between divots. ConclusionThis is a neat tool to have which will add more… more |
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Mongoose Rail DragsterPublished:
Atlantis Models has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen’s “AA” Fuel Dragster (front engine mount) in 1/24th scale. Per Scalemates.com, original mold for this kit is from 1971 by Monogram/Mattel. This review is for the 2024 boxing. In the BoxThe kit is enclosed in a top open box with a painted illustration. The main color is blue with white accent in the middle of the body. There is one white sprue of parts, right and left side body halves, one chrome plated sprue, and one vinyl sprue with tires. Decals are on a single sheet. Instructions are well illustrated and have ten assembly steps along with a decal placement guide in Step 6. Review ProcessAs a notice to all model builders, when building parts with… more |
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D.H. 98 Mosquito NF Mk. XXX "Night Predator"Published:
Special Hobby has provided the 1/72nd scale DeHavilland 98 Mosquito NF Mk. XXX “Night Predator” for review. The Mk. XXX was the first night fighter Mosquito variant with Merlin two-stage compressor engines. Looking at Scalemates.com, this is a brand-new mold for 2025. The decal sheet represents six markings for the following:
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ESCAPAC 1G-3 Ejection SeatPublished:
Aires has provided the Reviewer Corps with a resin replacement ejection seat for the A-4M/N Skyhawk in 1/48th scale. In the Package and Product NotesThe sample review was packaged in a plastic bag with cardboard backing with company labeling. Inside the package are paper instructions, photo-etched fret (seat belts), one poured resin part (the main seat), and a 3-D printed resin part (ejection handles & head padding). The detail and quality are excellent. Review ProcessI started by giving the resin part a warm soapy bath to remove any release agent. Using a razor saw, I removed the seat from the pour stub. The 3D printed parts were removed with good side cutting nippers. CA (Superglue) was used as the bonding agent to attach everything… more |
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Captured Heinkel, He 111H-20, Part 2Published:
ICM has reboxed its He 111 kit for a unique Captured Heinkel scheme in 1/48th scale. The Part 2 review is a continuation and conclusion of what was written from Part 1. Review Process for Part 2This is a box stock build with no aftermarket products used during the assembly process. From Part 1, we move on to painting and final assembly. The landing gear parts are thin and fragile. It is highly recommended to use good side cutting nippers to remove them from the sprue tree. For assembly, I used the wheel wells as a jig to put the parts together but waited to permanently install them later down the road after painting. The model is primed with Mr. Surfacer 1000 gray. The engine nacelles, vertical tail edges, rudder, and some windows were painted flat… more |
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Captured Heinkel, He 111H-20, Part 1Published:
ICM has reboxed its He 111 kit for a unique Captured Heinkel scheme in 1/48th scale. The instructions give a very interesting history of this captured He 111H-20 transport variant: Unique HistoryOne of the He 111H-20 aircraft has a remarkable history. Built as a transport variant of one of the Luftwaffe's most widely produced bombers, it was manufactured in 1944 with factory number 701152. During the final days of World War II in Europe, American forces captured and transported it to Cherbourg. The pilots of the 56th Fighter Group USAAF, who were assigned the aircraft, painted it their unit's signature deep purple color. By September 1945, when it was time to return to the USA, the American pilots faced leaving the aircraft behind. Unwilling to abandon it… more |
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F-16AM Falcon, E-006, "Dannebrog 50 Years F-16" Royal Danish AFPublished:
Syhart Decal has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the F-16AM Falcon, tail number E-006, with acolor scheme for the Royal Danish Air Force in “Dannebrog 50 Years F-16” special paint scheme in 1/72nd scale. Looking online for E-006, this F-16 variant will be an F-16A Block 20 MLU. In the PackageThere are three decal sheets provided with all the colorful anniversary colors on the two larger sheets. The third sheet is smaller and has the stencils. Markings represent how the F-16AM Falcon flew in 2024 at air shows. A bonus is the addition of 3-D printed parts for the forward wing probes and ventral antenna under the engine intake for increased accuracy in the build. The information sheets show all sides of the airplane. Because of… more |
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F-16AM Falcon, FA-87 "Tigermeet 2011/2012" Belgian AFPublished:
Syhart Decal has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the Belgian Air Force of their F-16AM Falcon for tail number FA-87 with color scheme from the 2011 & 2012 Tigermeet in 1/72nd scale. Looking online for FA-87, this F-16 variant will be an F-16A Block 20 MLU. In the PackageThere are three decal sheets provided with all the colorful tiger stripes on the two larger sheets. The third sheet is smaller and has all the stencils. However, the modeler will have to decide what year (2011 or 2012) to display since there are only enough decals for one jet and the only difference will be the tail markings. A unique bonus to this decal set are the cockpit decals for the glare shield tiger striped scarf and false tiger skin covering… more |
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D3A1 Val (Late) Instrument PanelPublished:
Yahu Models has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a 1/32nd scale instrument panel for the D3A1 Val (late) that will fit the Infinity Models kit (INF 3206). In the PackageThe instrument panel detail set is enclosed in a plastic bag with two photoetched frets. Some of the instrument panels are already assembled. The parts come packaged in an individual Ziploc bag and cardboard backing, which has instructions printed on it. ConclusionsOverall, this is a very nice detail set to upgrade your D3A1 Val instrument panel. The close-up picture shows off the minute detail printed on the PE parts, and the fidelity at such a small size is amazing. To install this set will require an adhesive like Superglue (CA) or 2-part epoxy (or similar). Therefore, I would… more |
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"Korean War MiG-15s" DecalsPublished:
Iliad Design has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the Korean War MiG-15s. This is an improved version of the decals versus their original set of MiG-15s with an additional new scheme and an expanded set of instructions. This 1/48th scale decal sheet covers eight schemes:
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