Pat Villarreal

Reviews By Author

Product

Yak 1/7/9/3 Wing Fuel Gauges

Published:
Company: Yahu Models

Yahu Models has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a 1/48th scale detail set for the Yak 1/3/7/9 wing fuel gauges. This is a generic set that will work on any Yak 1/3/7/9 airplane kit.

In the Package

The fuel gauge detail set is enclosed in a plastic bag with one photoetched fret. The parts come packaged in an individual Ziploc bag and cardboard backing which also has instructions printed on it. Assembly is required to install the bezel to the gauge face, and you will need to reference the instructions to determine the correct gauge for a particular Yak variant. I would also recommend adding a drop Clear Gloss (like Future or clear UV resin) on the gauge once the bezel is installed to give it a glassed in look.

Conclusions

Overall, this is a nice detail… more

yahu raiden cockpit

J2M3 Raiden Instrument Panel

Published:
Company: Yahu Models

Yahu Models has provided the IPMS reviewer corps a 1/72nd scale instrument panel for the J2M3 Raiden that will fit the Hasegawa, A-Model, and Sword kits.

In the Package

The instrument panel detail set is enclosed in a plastic bag with one photoetched instrument panel already assembled and one PE etched sheet for cockpit side panels. The parts come packaged in an individual Ziploc bag and cardboard backing which also has instructions printed on it.

Conclusions

Overall, this is a nice detail set to upgrade your J2M3 Raiden instrument panel. The close-up picture shows off the very small detail printed on the PE parts and the fidelity at such a small size is amazing.

I want to thank Yahu Models for providing the J2M3 Raiden instrument panel set and IPMS/… more

Yuhu FW-190D Cockpit Set

Fw-190D Instrument Panel

Published:
Company: Yahu Models

Yahu Models has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a 1/72nd scale instrument panel detail set for the Fw-190D that will fit into the Tamiya, AZ, and IGB kits. This set also includes photo-etch (PE) details for the side instrument panels and seat warning placard.

In the Package

The instrument panel (IP) detail set is enclosed in a plastic bag with two photoetched IPs already assembled and one PE etched sheet for side panels and a seat warning placard. The parts come packaged in an individual Ziploc bag and cardboard backing which also has instructions printed on it.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a nice detail set to upgrade your Fw-190D instrument panel in 72nd scale. The close-up picture shows off the minute detail printed on the PE parts and the fidelity… more

Packaging

DeHavilland Mosquito Landing Gear (1/72)

Published:
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps a set of 1/72nd scale metal landing gear for the Airfix DH Mosquito B.XVI/PR.XVI kits. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties.

In the Package

The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. There are no instructions.

Review Process

The metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for parts F1, F36, and F37 for the under wing gear and G1 and G18 for the tail wheel. The kit’s remaining plastic parts are needed to complete the rest of the landing gear assembly.

The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending that may be needed, since there is some… more

Packaging

P-39 Airacobra Landing Gear

Published:
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps a set of 1/48th scale metal landing gear for Arma Hobby’s P-39 Airacobra kits. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties.

In The Package

The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. There are no instructions.

Review Process

The metal landing gear set is used as a drop-in replacement for parts A13, A20, A21, and B66. You will need to use plastic kit parts A33 (nose strut) and B48 (oleo torsion arms) to complete the landing gear assembly.

The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending that may be needed since there is some slight deformation when… more

Package

A-1H Skyraider (USAF) Wheels and Paint Masks

Published:
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Aires has provided the Reviewer Corps with a resin replacement set of USAF/VNAF A-1H/J Skyraider wheels in 1/72nd scale. USAF/VNAF Skyraider wheels used stamped steel rims which are different than the spoked US Navy version. This resin set will allow a more accurate build of a USAF/VNAF Skyraider.

In the Package and Product Notes

The sample review came in a plastic bag with paper instructions and vinyl paint mask. The instructions detail the use of the vinyl masks. For the Hasegawa kit, these are replacements for parts C10 & C11 (wheel & rim).

There are two (2) wheels from the traditional pour moldings for these resin replacements (not 3D generated). The quality is excellent, and the rim edges are pronounced for those who prefer to paint the… more

Yahu P-39D Instrument Panel

P-39D/P-400 Airacobra Early Instrument Panel

Published:
Company: Yahu Models

Yahu Models has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a 1/72nd scale instrument panel for Amra Hobby’s P-39D/P-400 Airacobra. This set also includes photo-etch (PE) detail for the side doors.

In the Package

The instrument panel (IP) detail set is enclosed in a plastic bag with one (1) photoetched (PE) IP already assembled and two (2) PE etched sheets for other cockpit areas and the side doors. The parts come packaged in an individual Ziploc bag and cardboard.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a nice detail set to upgrade Arma Hobby’s P-39D/P-400 Airacobra 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.

I want to thank Yahu Models for providing the P-39D/P-400… more

Packaging

P-39Q/N Airacobra Exhaust Replacement

Published:
Company: Quickboost

Aires has provided the Reviewer Corps with Quickboost drop-in resin replacement exhaust tubes for Arma Hobby’s P-39Q/N Airacobra in 1/72nd scale.

In the Package and Product Notes

The sample review came in a plastic bag with a cardboard backing. There are no instructions for this set. For the Arma Hobby kit, they are replacements for part 52, quantity 2.

There are two (2) exhaust tubes from the traditional pour moldings for these resin replacements (not 3D generated). The quality is excellent, and the tube ends have holes molded in, so no drilling is required. Also, the base identifies which tube goes on the right and left side since there is a slight angle to the mounting surface when installed.

Review Process

I started by giving the resin… more

Decal Artwork

F-15E Black Panther Drone Killers

Published:
Company: Two Bobs Aviation Graphics

Two Bobs Aviation Graphics has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the F-15E Black Panther Drone Killers in 1/72nd scale.

In the Package

One (1) decal sheet is provided with all the individual markings for each airplane. However, the decal sheet has enough stencil markings to make two (2) complete jets.

This 1/72 decal sheet covers twelve (12) schemes for the following S/N tail numbers:

  1. 91-310 “Strafe”
  2. 91-313 “Mullet”
  3. 91-324 “El Jefe”
  4. 91-334 “Red Tail Angel”
  5. 91-335 “The Dutchman”
  6. 91-602 “Phoenix”
  7. 91-604 “El Lobo”
  8. 91-0201 “Hellcat”
  9. 96-202 “Panther Cub”
  10. 96-204 “Clawin’ Kitty”
  11. 01-2002 “Warlord”
  12. 00-3000 “Bomb Truck”

There are two (2… more

Cover image

Acrylic Paint Set for Medieval Warriors

Published:
Company: ICM

ICM hobby company has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a six (6) bottle acrylic paint set based on the colors of the Medieval Warriors.

In The Box

The paint set contains six, 12ml bottles with nontoxic, water-based acrylic paint. The following colors are included:

  • Natural Steel (1025)
  • Oily Steel (1026)
  • Tan Earth (1058)
  • Leather Brown (1053)
  • Gold (1017)
  • Rusty Brass (1019)

Straight out of the bottle, the paint viscosity is thick and purposely prepared for brush painting. The instructions do recommend thinning 40-60% with water or thinner for airbrushing. All surfaces are recommended to be primed prior to painting. Volume wise, the paint takes up about 70% of the bottle and has “room” to add thinner if so… more