Pat Villarreal
Reviews By Author
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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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"Fighters of Operation Rutter" DecalsPublished:
Iliad Design has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the fighters of WWII Operation Rutter. Planes represented are three Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb’s and one Hawker Hurricane Mk. II. This 1/48th scale decal sheet covers four schemes:
In the PackageThere is one decal sheet provided with all the individual markings for each airplane and this includes the roundels. General aircraft… more |
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P-51D Details, Flaps, and Photo EtchPublished:
Brengun has released a detail set for the P-51D Mustang in 1/144th scale. Kit manufacturers recommend are Platz, Eduard, and Bego (all from the same mold). In the BoxThis detail set will provide enough material for two complete Mustangs and consist of parts for the cockpit, wheel wells, and wing flaps. To bond these parts during installation will require CA (Super Glue). The resin parts will replace the flaps, cockpit yoke, and gunsight. The photo-etched parts will add detail to the cockpit floor, side panels, instrument panel, seat belts, and underwing interior of the wheel wells. For flap installation, some surgery will be needed to remove the kit’s flaps so cutting tools like a razor saw or similar will be needed. Conclusions… more |
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Marston Mat, WWII US Landing MatPublished:
ICM has released a new 1/72nd scale WWII US Marston Mat (aka PSP, Perforated Steel Plate). The molded plastic has great recessed detail and 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. Size is 2.5 X 5 inches (63.5 X 127 mm). Four plates of the mat are included. If glued side-by-side, a mat of 10 X 5 inches can be obtained. The parts are wrapped in a single plastic bag and encased in a very sturdy cardboard box. A slipcover fits over the box and has a painted close-up of what the mat should look like. The instructions are for a 1/35th scale Marston Mat set but you get the general idea but at smaller scale. The painting… more |
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USMC F-4J Phantom II "VMFA-333 Fighting Shamrocks", Part 2Published:
Review ProcessThis 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. Surface primer was applied using Mr. Surfacer 1500 White, which was heavily thinned with Mr. Surfacer Leveling Thinner. A 4:1 mixing ratio allowed for a lighter coat of primer while not filling in some of the shallow recessed details. After a day of drying, the underside was airbrushed with Tamiya XF-2 White with a little gray added to make it an off-white color. The upper surfaces were then painted Tamiya XF-80 Royal Light Gray, which, in my opinion, looks like Light Gull Gray (FS16440). The aft exhaust area was then masked and airbrushed with Alclad Steel. To add the vertical striations, I cut Tamiya tape into… more |
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USMC F-4J Phantom II "VMFA-333 Fighting Shamrocks", Part 1Published:
Academy has released a re-boxing of their 1/48 scale F-4J Phantom II, this time with markings for VMFA-333 “Fighting Shamrocks” and VMFA-232 “Red Devils”. The first boxing of the Academy “J” variant was in 2014, and this re-boxing was produced in 2024. In the BoxThe kit is enclosed in a sturdy box and each sprue is enclosed in its own plastic bag, except for the ones that are doubled up, primarily the ordnance. The sprues are injected in three colors (gray, white, and black) and one clear sprue for the windscreen, canopy, and light parts. Instructions are well-illustrated and easy to follow, containing 17 steps for assembly completion. It is worth noting that on the last page (parts location diagram) in the bottom right corner, in very small print, is a list of… more |
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Yak 1/7/9/3 Wing Fuel GaugesPublished:
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 PackageThe 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. ConclusionsOverall, this is a nice detail… more |