Pat Villarreal
Reviews By Author
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DeHavilland Mosquito Landing Gear (1/72)Published:
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 PackageThe metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. There are no instructions. Review ProcessThe 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 |
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P-39 Airacobra Landing GearPublished:
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 PackageThe metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. There are no instructions. Review ProcessThe 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 |
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A-1H Skyraider (USAF) Wheels and Paint MasksPublished:
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 NotesThe 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 |
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P-39D/P-400 Airacobra Early Instrument PanelPublished:
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 PackageThe 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. ConclusionOverall, 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 |
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P-39Q/N Airacobra Exhaust ReplacementPublished:
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 NotesThe 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 ProcessI started by giving the resin… more |
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F-15E Black Panther Drone KillersPublished:
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 PackageOne (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:
There are two (2… more |
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Acrylic Paint Set for Medieval WarriorsPublished:
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 BoxThe paint set contains six, 12ml bottles with nontoxic, water-based acrylic paint. The following colors are included:
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 |
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USN/RN Escort Carrier DeckPublished:
Arma Hobby has released a new 1/72nd scale diorama base representing a WWII US Navy or Royal Navy escort carrier deck. The molded plastic has great recessed detail; all you need to do is apply the paint. In the BoxThe base is made from injected light gray styrene and the molded detail quality is very fine for 1/72nd scale. The size is 6 X 6 inches (152 X 152 cm). It is encased in a one-piece fold-out cardboard envelope-style packaging. The front side of the box has some color photos of what a finished carrier deck might look like. The back and side of the box have a QR code and website that will take you to Arma Hobby’s webpage for free 3D files for wheel chocks, bomb carts, and arrestor cable mounts. This is a nice benefit for those who have… more |
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Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb DecalsPublished:
Euro Decals has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the WWII Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb in service with the Royal Air Force, South African Air Force, and Royal Canadian Air Force. There is no specific mention of a preferred model company for this decal set. This 1/72nd scale decal sheet covers eleven (11) schemes:
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N.A. Mustang Mk. III CollectionPublished:
Euro Decals has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the WWII North American P-51 Mustang Mk. III (P-51B/C variant) in service for the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Airforce. There is no specific mention of a preferred model company for this decal set. This 1/72nd scale decal sheet covers eleven (11) schemes:
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