Phil Pignataro
Reviews By Author
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P-38L-5-LO LightningPublished:
I doubt the P-38 Lightning needs any introduction to modelers, as it has been a favorite of many of us for a long time. This Hobby Boss release is one of their latest in the Easy Build series of 1/72 scale kits and is a late-war -L version. It’s a reasonably priced kit with excellent surface detail and markings for two aircraft. The four-page fold-out instructions are straight forward, easy to follow, and have a full color paint and decal guide. Color callouts are for Gunze Sangyo, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya, and Humbrol paints. As an Easy Build kit, there is a low part count and it is designed for quick assembly. If you thought construction begins with the cockpit, you are correct. The cockpit, though, has more detail than the other Easy Build kits I’ve done, since it has a… more |
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MiG-23MLD (Flogger K) Pitot TubePublished:
This is another of Master’s growing list of pitot tubes for specific 1/72 scale aircraft. This set continues in the tradition of excellent, quality products from this company. Master’s MiG-23MLD set includes a turned-metal pitot tube and photo etched brass vortex generators. These vortex generators direct air flow when the aircraft is at high angles of attack. If they are placed correctly, this might hold true for your model also. As you can see from the photos, these pieces are much more convincing than the pitot tube supplied in the kit. My only caution would be about gluing the photo etched parts to the sides of the brass pitot tube. I think a little patience will be required since there isn’t much surface area to work with. For a very reasonable price, you can add another… more |
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MiG-29 Fulcrum Pitot TubePublished:
I’ve reviewed a couple of these products before and was impressed with the quality of their workmanship. Master continues the trend with their latest release. The MiG-29 set includes the pitot tube itself and two small, photo etched strakes. On the real machine, the strakes are positioned on either side of the area where the pitot tube meets the nosecone to help direct airflow when the aircraft is at high angles of attack (AOA). As you can see from the photos, this little masterpiece is a definite improvement over the kit-supplied piece. In this case, the kit is the Italeri MiG-29. Master’s rendition accurately captures the multi-diameter shape of the original. The pitot tube has a peg which fits neatly into the nose of the model. Though I haven’t done so, I think gluing the… more |
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EA-18G Growler,VAQ-141 Shadowhawks Limited EditionPublished:
The EA-18G Growler is the US Navy’s newest ECM aircraft, replacing the venerable Grumman EA-6B Prowler. Now in service with several squadrons, the EA-18G provides our military forces the latest hardware for electronic warfare. Boeing modified the basic two-seat FA-18F Super Hornet for the ECM mission by adding numerous antenna, sensors, and stores, and by removing offensive items such as the 20mm cannon. To produce a model of this machine, Hasegawa essentially did the same. They took their basic FA-18F Super Hornet kit and added sprues with all the relevant pieces to produce the G model. Hasegawa’s release is in their standard gray plastic with delicate, recessed panel lines. While the surface detail is excellent, the cockpit detail is basic. That goes double for the ejection… more |
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L-39ZO Weekend EditionPublished:
This elegant looking jet trainer has been in service with numerous air forces for many years and has even become a common sight at “warbird” fly-ins. Several years ago, Eduard released an exquisite little model of this trainer. Their latest version is the “Weekend Edition,” a more basic boxing of their “Original,” “Dual Combo,” or “Profipak” releases. To meet the “weekend” criteria, this kit has no photo-etched frets, resin pieces, masks, or decals for multiple marking options. What you get instead is the all-plastic, basic kit with decals for one scheme: the Libyan Air Force Academy circa 1985. Included in the box are 56 pieces molded in tan plastic, six pieces of clear parts, a decal sheet with lots of stencil/data markings, and a six page instruction booklet. All the pieces are… more |
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Soviet Tactical AviationPublished:
In many ways, the development of Soviet tactical aviation, or Frontovaya Aviahtisya (FA), went through similar developmental phases as the Tactical Air Command of the USAF. Evolving out of the combat experiences of World War II, it made do with aircraft left over from the war. As technology advanced, the FA had access to the early jet fighter and then to purpose built fight-bomber aircraft. During the Cold War, the Soviet’s FA procured modern fighters and faced Western air forces in Europe and the Far East. As TAC learned lessons from fighting in Viet Nam, so did the FA learn from its combat in Afghanistan. The chapter titles and some explanations are as follows:
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Decals for Hunter, Thunderstreak, Starfighter KLu/ RNethAFPublished:
This decal sheet is a commemorative release celebrating twenty-five years of business for Dutch Decals and as such is a “limited edition printing”. As you might expect from a manufacturer with this name, the densely packed sheet supplies decals for three historic aircraft in the KLu/RNeth AF. It has marking for twenty-three options: five Hunters, six Thunderstreaks, and twelve Starfighters. Most are basic operational schemes, but there are some with more colorful options. One is a Hunter sporting a replica of the New Guinea flag on the tail and another is a Starfighter with a shark-mouth and a red/white/blue rudder. While you have a bunch of options to choose from there are, however, roundels for only three aircraft, one of each type. You… more |
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BAe Hawk Mk.1 Pitot TubePublished:
We’ve come a long way in aircraft modeling when you can find a company dedicated to making after market pitot tubes for specific subjects in different scales. Way back when, a straight pin instead of a kit piece was “advanced modeling.” My review is for both the 1/72 and 1/32 versions of this product. Master has provided us with an exquisite, turned-metal replica of the BAe Hawk pitot tube. It perfectly captures the two stage taper and bulged end of the real thing. Though you can easily see this in 1/32 scale, it is also the same for the 1/72 scale copy. Master made it easy for us modelers to mount the replacement pitot tube since there is a peg protruding from the back of the pitot that fits into a hole on the model. Just add some CA glue, insert the part, and you’re all set.… more |
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World's Fastest Four Engine Piston-Powered Aircraft, Story Of The Republic XR-12 RainbowPublished:
The Republic Rainbow has been a long-time favorite aircraft of mine. I grew up on Long Island, not far from Farmingdale where Republic is located, and my father worked there for twenty-five years. Even without that close association, I would still appreciate the sleek lines and tremendous performance of this machine. Mike Machat with his new hardcover book puts a spotlight on post-war aviation and on this interesting aircraft. In October 1943, the USAAF issued a requirement for a long-range, high speed photo reconnaissance aircraft for use in the Pacific theater of operations. Republic Aviation and Hughes Aircraft were selected to build two prototypes each for this mission. Timing as they say is everything and unfortunately, with the end of WW II and the coming of jet… more |
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Kfz.70 6x4 Personnel CarrierPublished:
The Kit: Krupp’s Kfz.70 light truck was a workhorse for the German army throughout WW II. Initial production started in 1933 and continued through 1942 with a run of around 7000 units. It was often employed towing light artillery, particularly the PaK 35/36, 3.7cm anti-tank weapon. Dragon has released a kit of this ubiquitous vehicle in 1/72 scale and it’s a little gem. Molded in light gray plastic, the kit features highly detailed parts for both the truck and the towed cannon. The wood grain simulation on the side panels of the truck is noteworthy. Dragon provides decals for three versions, all from unknown units on the Eastern Front circa 1943. One is in winter camouflage. The instructions are typical for Dragon with exploded views showing eleven steps to… more |