Statue of Liberty

Published: May 3, 2016
Company: Italeri

On October 28^th, 1886 a gift from France was dedicated in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty. I am sure most of you are familiar with it and those who want to read it’s fascinating history can find much more online than I can give you here. However, I can relate my personal experiences with the Lady of Liberty.

In June of 2001, my family flew into JFK airport to start a… more

U.S.A.F. Fighter Pilot - Korean War 1950-1953

Published: April 30, 2016
Company: Aires Hobby Models

Aero Bonus is the figure line from Aires. They do several figures ranging from 1/72^nd to 1/32^nd. This 72^nd scale guy, as the name implies, is a USAF Fighter Pilot during the Korean War. You could also use it with any other USAF jet from the early 50’s and probably into the 60’s. He is depicted wearing khakis and what I think is a B-15 Flying Jacket. He is… more

Interstellar Ranger

Published: March 20, 2016
Company: Moebius Models

Interstellar came out in 2014 and was a decent movie about team of explorers who travel through a wormhole looking to find a new world to ensure humanity's survival. The ship the stars used was the Transgalactic Survey Craft, Ranger which was launched on top of a secret Saturn V rocket.

Moebius recently released a 72^nd scale kit of the Ranger based on the full scale prop,… more

Viper Mark VII

Published: February 14, 2016
Company: Moebius Models

When they revamped Battlestar Galactica in 2003 they revamped many of the ships including the Viper fighters. They were retiring the Mk II as the new Mk VII was in service. Unfortunately, the Cylons had a way to disrupt the newer fighters rendering them powerless so the Mk II fighters had to be brought back into service to carry the fight. Later in the series the Mk VIIs were able to rejoin… more

Douglas Dakota Mk.IV

Published: January 23, 2021
Company: Airfix

The cargo plane probably best known for its use during the Normandy Invasion is one of the best known aircraft in the world. Used by the Allies, including the Soviets and even by the Japanese, these planes continued service as passenger aircraft and cargo lifters throughout the world and some are still flying today.

Recently Airfix replaced its old mold of this kit with a new, state of… more

The Marmo Method Modelbuilding Guide #4: How To Make Your Own Decals

Published: February 3, 2020
Book Author(s): Richard Marmo
Company: Scale Publications

First off I am not a big fan of ebooks. Sorry but I am old school and prefer the feel of the paper itself. However, I am a big fan of info on the internet and do have a few ebooks on my Kindle so there is always a chance for me.

That said, Mr. Marmo’s book on making your own decals really interested me as I have a bunch of decals I need to make for certain projects and even though I… more

Battlestar Galactica Colonial One

Published: September 7, 2015
Company: Moebius Models

Back in 1978 I was one of many in the TV room in Langford Hall at Montana State University waiting for a new TV series that was trying to capitalize on a surprisingly successful Space Opera that had opened the previous year. That TV show was Battlestar Galactica and while it only lasted one season it gave us new ships which Monogram released as models.

Fast forward to 2003 (skipping… more

F-105 Thunderchief Control Lever

Published: May 27, 2015
Company: Quickboost

This item from Quickboost is a direct replacement for the control stick for Trumpeter F-105 kits and should be compatible for their D and G models. They should also be useable on the Hasagawa or Monogram/Revell kits. Three new sticks are provided in the package. The detail is a bit finer than the Trumpeter version but they are a bit fragile. As you can see in the pics, I broke off one of the… more

Bf 109E Control Lever

Published: May 27, 2015
Company: Quickboost

This new item from Quickboost is a direct replacement for the control stick for Bf 109E models. They recommend it as a replacement for the new Airfix kits but I am sure it would work in any 72nd scale Emil. One nice aspect is they give you 3 new sticks and as I have two of the Airfix kits and a Tamiya one, I am sure all 3 will get used. The detail is a bit finer than the Airfix version and it… more

The British Army in Afghanistan 2006-14 / Task Force Helmand

Published: May 23, 2015
Book Author(s): Leigh Neville
Company: Osprey Publishing

Operation Herrick is what the British Army labeled their deployments to Afghanistan in support of the US and other NATO nations.

This 64 page soft cover book takes a look at the deployments to the Helmand Province which is the largest of the 34 provinces that make up Afghanistan. It is also one of the more dangerous areas with a lot of action taking place in the Green Zone, an… more