Pat Villarreal
Reviews By Author
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F4F-3/4 Wildcat Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps a set of 1/48th scale metal landing gear for the Academy F4F-3/4 Wildcat. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties. In the PackageThe metal pieces are packed in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided. The metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for parts B4, B17, B23, B33, and B50 and can be referenced in the instructions on step 2. The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending if needed. Also, seam lines will need to be cleaned up prior to painting just like the plastic kit parts. For paints, use a good lacquer-based primer… more |
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F-86A Sabre Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps a set of 1/48th scale metal landing gear for Clear Props F-86A Sabre. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties. In the PackageThe metal pieces are packed in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided. However, my review sample did not come with the nose landing gear and came with an extra RHS strut, part H19 (a quality control slip). The metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for parts H19 & H15 (RHS & LHS struts) and the K2 oleo arms are molded with the strut. The nose strut, part K22, was missing from my sample review, but it too should have the oleo arms… more |
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Fairey Swordfish Mk. I/II Landing Gear (for 1/48 Tamiya)Published:
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a set of 1/48 scale metal landing gear for Tamiya’s Fairey Swordfish Mk. I/II. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide more robust landing gear, given its metal properties. In the PackageThe metal pieces are packed in a clear blister container with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided. CommentsThe metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for parts G18 (tail wheel), G2 & 3 (interior struts), G11 & 12 (folded wing configuration), and G13 & 14 (extended wing configuration). The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending if it is needed. Also, seam lines will need to be cleaned up prior to painting, just like… more |
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MiG-21bis ProfiPACK EditionPublished:
Eduard has generously provided the IPMS-USA reviewer corps with a 1/72nd scale MiG-21bis ProfiPACK Edition. This boxing has markings for six MiG-21bis aircraft from six different countries. The MiG-21 series from Eduard were originally boxed in 2018. Since then, they have produced many MiG-21MF, PF, and PFM variant boxings. This is the MiG-21bis variant, and it contains one new sprue (sprue K). In the BoxThe kit is packaged in a top-opening rigid box with great box art of the Soviet Union jet. Inside there are four gray sprues, one clear sprue, one photo-etched fret, one decal sheet for the different aircraft markings, one decal sheet for airframe data/stencils, and one set of die-cut masks. Decals include the following aircraft options:
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USMC UH-1Y VenomPublished:
In the BoxThe kit is a typical top opening box with 11 gray sprues, 1 clear parts sprue, 1 photo-etched (PE) sheet, and 1 die-cut masking sheet for the clear parts. Academy takes advantage of slide-molding to add more detail in raised rivet and recessed panel lines and the results are impressive. Also of note, sprue B & D comes from the AH-1Z Viper kit (Kit No: 12127) since in real life both helicopters use the same parts. For a list of unused parts, see page 14 in the bottom right of the instructions. The box art is beautiful. For modelers who are wavering on owning this kit, it will help push them over the edge to build this Venom or add it to the collection. Instructions have 22 steps over two separate sheets (Manual 1 & 2). It is well illustrated and… more |
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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 |