IPMS Number
8739

Reviews By Author

Box Art

SB2C-4E Helldiver "Operation Iceberg"

Published: June 12, 2017
Company: Academy Models

The Curtis SB2C Helldiver was produced to replace the “Slow But Deadly” Dauntless with a larger, faster aircraft. Unfortunately, the plane suffered from many handling issues and a shorter range leading to the nickname “The Beast” being applied by its crews. The Helldiver served aboard carriers for the last 2 years of the war including participating in Operation Iceberg, the Battle for Okinawa… more

Package

F4F-4 Wildcat Exhaust

Published: March 20, 2017
Company: Quickboost

Another quick upgrade for the Airfix Wildcat are these two exhausts. They are direct replacements for the kit parts and have very thin walls. While you can paint the insides black I think for the best effect you would still want to drill out the exhaust hole from the engine. Just be careful on how you hold them, the resin is that thin.

No instructions are provided as they are a direct… more

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F4F-4 Wildcat Engine

Published: March 20, 2017
Company: Quickboost

The engine on the Airfix 72nd Wildcat is very detailed with push rods and wiring visible on the front. Quickboost offers a replacement engine which does give better details on the front cover but you will have to add the push rods and wiring if you want to go that direction. One thing I noticed is the cylinders have a bit of resin connecting them to the rear. While these are not… more

Package

F4F-4 Wildcat Undercarriage Covers

Published: March 20, 2017
Company: Quickboost

The new Airfix Wildcat kits look great right out of the box. But can we make them better. Well there is always some aftermarket. This set from Quickboost is a direct replacement for the landing gear doors. They may also be usable on other 72nd scale kits. The parts are finely molded and very thin, but the best advantage I can see is not having to fill the ejector pin marks on the inside of… more

Package

F4F-4 Wildcat Control Surfaces

Published: March 20, 2017
Company: Aires Hobby Models

This set from Aires replaces the stabilizers on the new Airfix kit. The control surfaces are separate so you can easily model them deflected up or down. A quick check of pictures of the real plane shows them slightly deflected down, occasionally deflected up and just as often with no deflection at all so it is up to you. The detail on the parts is slightly higher than the Airfix parts but if… more

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Avro Vulcan Refueling Probe Boom

Published: February 4, 2017
Company: Master Model

Many people don’t know that I am half English. I use that as an excuse to love some of the more interesting British aircraft. One such plane is the famous Avro Vulcan. Just something about that big bat shaped wing appeals to me. I have never had the good fortune to see one fly in person but I have seen video and have been able to view a few in the flesh.

This, of course, means that I… more

Product packaging

F-106 Delta Dart Landing Gear

Published: September 20, 2016
Company: Scale Aircraft Conversions

I grew up with my Dad working for SAC (Strategic Air Command) but that has little to do with this item from SAC (Scale Aircraft Conversions) except that the last base we were at was Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, MT and the Air Guard unit based at Gore Hill was flying F-106s at the time. And after that long lead in let’s see what we have.

Scale Aircraft Conversions has been making… more

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P-38 Lightning Early Armament

Published: August 24, 2016
Company: Master Model

Master Model has released three new gun barrel sets for the P-38 Lightning, one of my favorite aircraft. This one is listed as the early version with 4 x .50 cal. Brownings, with drilled cooling jackets & early and late 20mm cannon tips. These are mostly seen on early versions of the plane but the instructions have photos of some later birds sporting the drilled cooling jackets, so check… more

Product packaging

P-38 Lightning Late Armament

Published: August 23, 2016
Company: Master Model

Master Model has released three new gun barrel sets for the P-38 Lightning, a plane I love. This one is listed as the late version with 4 x .50 cal Brownings with covered cooling jackets & late 20mm cannon tips. These are mostly seen on J and L versions but pays to check your references.

The detail is beautiful with drilled out barrel ends.

Construction depends on which kit… more

Box Art

Junkers Ju87B-1 Stuka

Published: January 23, 2021
Company: Airfix

The word Stuka raised much terror at the beginning of WWII, not the least because they had a siren in the landing gear that added a scream to their very accurate dive bombing. However, when they faced determined air defense during the Battle of Britain their days were numbered. They did manage to serve on other fronts throughout the war but were never quite the terror weapon again.

As… more