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Pat Villarreal

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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
Packaging

USN/RN Escort Carrier Deck

Published:
Company: Arma Hobby

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 Box

The 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
Decal Artwork

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Decals

Published:
Company: Euro Decals

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:

  1. Spitfire LF Mk.Vb, BL415, “AZ-B”, flown by Flight Lieutenant Walt “Jonnie” Johnston of 234 (Madras Presidecy) Squadron, based at RAF Deanland, 6th June 1944.
  2. Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop, ER228, “ZX-6”, 145 Squadron, RAF, Egypt 1942.
  3. Spitfire Mk.Vb W3458, “YQ-X”, flown by Flight Lieutenant Les “Buck” Casson, 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron, RAF Tangmere, 9th August 1941.
  4. Spitfire Mk.Vb EP464, “NN-E”, 310 (Czech)… more
N.A. Mustang Mk. III Collection

N.A. Mustang Mk. III Collection

Published:
Company: Euro Decals

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:

  1. Mustang Mk.III, KH427, “GN-V”, 249 Squadron, RAF, Bifernoi, Italy, 1944
  2. Mustang Mk.III, FB2??, “HS-H”, 260 Squadron, RAF, Italy, 1944
  3. Mustang Mk.III, serial unknown, “LD-Y”, 250 Squadron RAF, Lavariano, Italy, 1946
  4. Mustang Mk.III, FZ152, “SS”, 133 Polish Wing, RAF, Coolham, West Sussex, UK, 1944
  5. Mustang Mk.III, serial unknown, “LD-B”, 250 Squadron, 250 Squadron RAAF, Italy, 1946
  6. Mustang Mk.… more
Box Art

US M1240 M-ATV MRAP

Published:
Company: Trumpeter

MRC has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with Trumpeter’s new 2024 tooled 1/72nd scale US M1240 M-ATV MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected – All Terrain Vehicle).

In the Box

The kit is enclosed in a top open box with a photo of the completed kit on the cover. Inside are several bags of sprues and parts all individually wrapped for protection. Five (5) tires are bagged and made from black vinyl. Also, enclosed is a small decal sheet and die-cut masks for the clear parts. The instructions are well illustrated with 29 steps.

Review Process

Trumpeter has you starting with assembling the chassis. Steps 1-13 covers the entire chassis assembly and because of the independent suspension of each wheel, I ran into some alignment issues at the very end.… more
ICM Napoleonic Wars Paint Set 1

Acrylic Paint Set for Napoleonic Wars

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 Napoleonic Wars.

In the Box

The paint set contains six 12ml bottles with nontoxic water based acrylic paints. The following colors are provided:

  • Deep Orange (1006)
  • Deep Red (1007)
  • Deep Green (1009)
  • Gold (1017)
  • Off White (1028)
  • Dark Blue (1077)

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 desired.… more