Perry Downen
Reviews By Author
Heinkel He111P-2 ExhaustPublished:
A generous thank you goes to Aires Hobby Models/Quickboost for this review item. The German Heinkel He111 civil prototype was demonstrated publicly in 1936. By the end of 1936 the bomber version, He111B, was entering service with the Luftwaffe. There were dozens of He111 variants developed over its 10 years of service making it a popular aircraft in the modeling world. Quickboost has released a nice set of resin exhausts for the Airfix Heinkel He111P-2. The delicate parts come in a clear re-sealable plastic bag packaged with a small card insert showing a photographic image of the parts, part number, name of the parts and the recommended kit, Airfix. What is not included in the bag is a set of instructions. This is not a problem as the resin parts fit the exhaust… more |
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Scale Plans No. 35 De Havilland MosquitoPublished:
We thank Mushroom Model Publications for providing this book for review. The De Havilland Mosquito was arguably the most versatile and successful twin-engine aircraft of World War II. It was originally designed as an unarmed bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. However, it excelled in other rolls that included day and night fighter, fighter-bomber, pathfinder, and high-speed military transport. It was constructed mainly of balsawood sandwiched between sheets of birch and covered with a fine woven cotton fabric and painted with a coat of silver dope. Its two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines gave it a maximum speed in the 380 mph range. Its beauty and war record has made it one of the most popular RAF aircraft of World War II. Its popularity is reflected in the modeling world… more |
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Scale Plans No. 33 Gloster GladiatorPublished:
Mushroom Model Publications provided this book for review and we thank them for that. The Gloster Gladiator holds the distinction of being a “first” and a “last”. It was the first RAF front line fighter with an enclosed cockpit and the RAF’s last biplane fighter. Flown for the first time in September 1934, just eight months before the Germans first flew the Bf109, it entered service with the RAF in February 1937, the same month the Bf109 entered service for Germany. The Gladiator did not last long in the air over Europe and England. However, it did see action around the world in the service of many countries during World War II. There are a number of Gloster Gladiator kits out there in all popular scales. For the modeler who really wants to zero in on the details of… more |
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Ford 3 Litre GT Starter SetPublished:
Thanks to Airfix from supplying this kit for review and to IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it. In the world of motorsport, the rules for the most advanced racing cars, Group 6 prototype, changed drastically in 1967. Principally, the engine displacement was reduced to 3 liters maximum. In March 1968 Ford introduced their new car designated the P68, but commonly called the Ford 3L GT. The power plant and chassis was based on the Ford-Cosworth DFV 2993cc V8 Formula 1 car. Its first competitive appearance was at the April 7, 1968 BOAC 500Kms race at Brands Hatch, England. Of the two P68s entered, only one was able to qualify for the race. The car that did qualify developed mechanical problems while leading the race and failed to finish. Such was the case for the remainder of… more |
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US Navy Pilot WWII Pacific TheaterPublished:
First things first. I want to thank Aires for supplying this Aerobonus item for review and IPMS/USA for allowing me to do the review. Aires Aerobonus has release several pilot figures lately. This review covers their World War II U.S. Navy pilot. This particular subject is molded in the manner of a pilot operating in the Pacific Theater during WW II. He’s posed as if stepping onto a wing or standing in the cockpit with a foot on the side console or cockpit sill. The quality of this light gray resin casting is excellent. Attached to the pour stub are a body, head, two arms and protective side bars. I could not find any bubbles or voids. Mold seams are minimal if they exist at all. Details abound with crisp rings on the parachute harness, buttons on the shirt, appropriate… more |
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Lancaster B Mk III Dambuster InteriorPublished:
My thanks to Eduard for furnishing this photo-etch set for review and IPMS for allowing me to do it. The Avro Lancaster was arguably the RAF’s most famous bomber of the Second World War. Most of its fame was gained as a night bomber. Of the 7,377 Lancasters built, 3,039 were B.Mk.III bombers with Packard built Merlin engines. Nineteen of the Mk.IIIs were specially modified to use the Barnes Wallis-designed "bouncing bomb" and assigned to No. 617 Squadron. That squadron with its modified Lancaster bombers conducted one of the war’s most famous raids – the night attack on four Ruhr Valley dams trying to cripple Germany’s industry in the region. Commemorating that most famous Lancaster raid, Airfix released a retooled 1/72 version of their Lancaster called the Avro… more |
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Lancaster B Mk III Dambuster ExteriorPublished:
First off I’d like to thank Eduard for supplying this great set of photo-etch parts. I’d also like to thank IPMS/USA for allowing me to review this product. One of the more famous night bombers of the Second World War was the RAF’s four-engine Avro Lancaster. A total of 7,377 Lancasters of all marks were built. Of that number 3,039 were B.Mk.III bombers which were equipped with Packard built Merlin engines and an enlarged bombardier’s compartment. Nineteen of those Mk.IIIs assigned to No. 617 Squadron were modified to attack Germany's Ruhr Valley dams using the Barnes Wallis-designed "bouncing bomb". On the night of May 16, 1943, Wing Commander Guy Gibson lead the Ruhr Valley attack. Two of the four targeted dams were breeched, but eight of the 19 Lancasters and 53 crewmen were… more |
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Lancaster B Mk.1/Mk.III Landing FlapsPublished:
My thanks to Eduard for furnishing this photo-etch set for review and IPMS for allowing me to do it. The Avro Lancaster of World War II fame can trace its linage back to the twin-engine Avro Manchester. The Manchester saw a lot of action in the early months of World War II. However, it was underpowered and generally did not meet RAF expectations. Using the Manchester as a starting point the Avro engineers increased the wing span, replaced the two Rolls-Royce X-24 Vultures with four Rolls-Royce V-12 Merlins, lengthened the fuselage and redesigned the tail. The results was a bomber with impressive performance and excellent flying characteristics. Its top speed was 282mph at 63,000 lbs. and its landing speed was 95-100mph using the old split flap design set to full down. … more |
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Lancaster Gun BarrelsPublished:
The twin-engine Avro Manchester was used heavily during the first months of World War II. However, it was underpowered and not very reliable, and it fell short of the RAF’s expectation. The Avro engineers got busy and replaced the Manchester’s two 24-cylinder X-block Vultures with four V-12 Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. To accommodate the two extra engines, the Manchester’s wing span was increased. In turn, this caused problems with the airframe, so they enlarged the fuselage and redesigned the tail. Thus was born the Lancaster. It became an instant success, even though its defensive armament was somewhat light, consisting of eight .303 Browning machine guns. Quickboost has released a direct replacement set of guns for the 1/72 Airfix Lancaster bomber. The last I looked, Airfix… more |
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Supermarine Attacker Wheel BayPublished:
The Supermarine Attacker was a British single-seat naval jet fighter originally developed as one of several jets to replace the RAF’s piston powered aircraft. It turned out to be no better than the RAF’s existing Meteor or Vampire and the RAF rejected it. Supermarine modified the Attacker for shipboard servicer and offered it to the Royal Navy who accepted it. The Attacker has the distinction of being the first jet fighter to enter operational service with the Fleet Air Arm. Its career with the Fleet Air Arm was brief. Introduced in July 1951, it was retired in 1954. Several factors contributed to its early retirement not the least of which were problems caused by its tail-wheel undercarriage configuration. Aires has created a resin wheel bay upgrade set for the Trumpeter… more |