IPMS Number
8739

Reviews By Author

Package

Bristol Beaufighter Air Intakes and Fuel Drain (A)

Published: January 31, 2018
Company: Quickboost

The Beaufighter had two different types of air intakes on top of the engines, a short one and a long one. This set from Quickboost covers the short version. The resin parts are cast perfectly and should be easy to remove from the block. The short intakes in the new Airfix kits are made up of two halves so there will be a seam to take care of. The resin replacements are single parts with very… more

Package

Beaufighter 3 inch Rockets

Published: January 29, 2018
Company: Plusmodel

In Plusmodel’s Aero Line is this nice set of rockets for the Beaufighter. Included are 8 resin 3-inch rockets, 8 launch rails and 2 launcher mounting plates. All are beautifully cast with no flaws.

The rockets have extremely thin tail fins and this caused me all kinds of trouble. In fact, it took three tries before I could get a rocket off the sprue without breaking at least one fin… more

Package

Bristol Beaufighter Antennas and Position Lights

Published: January 28, 2018
Company: Quickboost

This set for the new Airfix Beaufighter is a bit different. It includes a replacement antenna and pitot tube which are direct replacements for the kit parts. They are, as usual, nicely cast with no air bubbles.

The other 3 bits are position lights molded in clear red, blue, and amber resin. The unusual bit about these is there are no instructions telling you where they belong on the… more

Decal sheet

Vietnam Ace Capt. Steve Ritchie and Friends

Published: February 17, 2020
Company: Werners Wings

Werner’s Wings have been known for resin aftermarket and decals for helicopters. It is nice to see some fixed wing offerings coming out. The first such centers around Vietnam air ace Steve Ritchie and covers aircraft he flew during his MiG kills as well as planes flown by a few other noted pilots from this conflict. The sheet is also available in 1/48th scale and was… more

Package

Air National Guard C-47s

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: Iliad Design

Iliad Design’s latest 72nd decal sheet covers 4 Dakotas that flew with the Air National Guard

The Puerto Rican Air Guard is represented by the attractive white over aluminum scheme. This one includes the stars and bars on the fuselage as well as the National Guard badge on the tail. This scheme is from post 1961.

The other three aircraft are all in natural metal… more

Front Sheet

Stars in the Sky 3

Published: February 3, 2020
Company: Iliad Design

Iliad Design is a Canadian company that not only makes decals but also offers aircraft colour charts and books.

As the name of this sheet implies, this is the third in the Stars in the Sky series. While the names might not be as recognizable as the first two sheets, the choices for the marking are very diverse.

We have two WWII bombers, a Korean War fighter and a fast jet. So… more

Decal Set

F-16C Baby Got Fullback Aggressors Decals

Published: October 16, 2017
Company: Twobobs Aviation Graphics

The F-16 has been around a long time and there are so many different schemes you can build one in. This new sheet by Two Bobs covers 3 aircraft in a couple of Aggressor schemes with the 57th Wing, 64th Aggressor Squadron.

The first is in the “Shark” scheme and includes some vinyl masks for the false dielectic EW panels to mimic what is on the SU-34. This thoughtful inclusion will make… more

Product packaging

Drain and Manhole Covers

Published: September 14, 2017
Company: Hauler

Hauler has been making photoetched sets in multiple scales including my favorite, 1/72nd. This set is about as easy of a PE set as you can get. It contains 6 grills (4 of one style and 2 of another) and 15 manhole covers (5 each of 3 styles one of these is square). They literally are just cut from the fret and add to your diorama.

As such no instructions are needed but… more

Product packaging

AFV Tools

Published: September 14, 2017
Company: Hauler

Another nice PE set from Hauler which will find many uses for the Braille Scale modeler, especially when working with armor and dioramas.

The set includes wrenches, axes, shovels, picks and even a couple machetes. I am guessing for those jungle jobs. There are also a couple of different design tool boxes that you will have to fold.

The first thing I thought when I heard PE… more

Book cover

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider

Published: June 20, 2017
Book Author(s): Andy Renshaw and Andy Evans
Company: SAM Publications

My first introduction to the Spad was a film strip (yes, I am that old) about an air rescue operation in Vietnam. Besides the Jolly Green Giants and the support Hercules there were these large, single engine prop planes loaded with munitions buzzing in to keep the enemy’s heads down. They used the call sign Sandy and from that point on I was hooked.

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider, as it was… more