Rick Bellanger
Reviews By Author
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Tractor Fordson N-bigPublished:
Plusmodel has recently released some interesting 1/35th scale diorama accessories. The Fordson N-big Tractor is another one of them. It is an entire kit and has to be one of the best if not the best resin kit I have built. The parts were flawlessly cast with little to no flash. The fit was exceptional. From the instruction sheet: Fordson tractors were produced in Cork, Ireland. The first of them, Fordson N-Big left the plant in 1927. In 1933 the production was transferred to Dagenham in England and this factory produced 136,000 units so the type became the most common tractor in the U.K. during WWII. It was powered by a 4-cylinder diesel or petrol engine, both of 4.4 L (267 ci) with app. 25 HP power. The tractor arrived in a sturdy cardboard container and wrapped in… more |
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Cable Reels - SmallPublished:
Plusmodel has recently released some interesting 1/35th scale diorama accessories. The Cable Reels – Small are just some of them. They arrived in a sturdy cardboard container and wrapped in heat sealed plastic. There was no damage to the parts. Parts consisted of wood, fiber board, heavy paper and resin. Read the instruction sheet before removing the laser etch wooden parts. They suggest that you take tape and tape the inner reel wooden slats together. These parts are not attached to each other and this is highly recommended if not vital to construction. Once the wooden parts were separated from their carrier a little sanding with an emery board was all that was needed for cleanup. I ran a bead of wood glue to both sides of the inside slats, then place… more |
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Plus Model Cable Reels - BigPublished:
Plus Models has recently release some interesting 1/35th scale diorama accessories. The Cable Reels – Big are just some of them. They arrived in a sturdy cardboard container and wrapped in heat sealed plastic. There was no damage to the parts. Parts consisted of wood, fiber board, heavy paper and resin. Read the instruction sheet before removing the laser etch wooded parts. They suggest that you take tape and tape the inner reel wooded slats together. These parts are not attached to each other and this is highly recommended if not vital to construction. Once the wooded parts were separated from their carrier a little sanding with an emery board was all that was needed for cleanup. I ran a bead of wood glue to both sides of the inside slats, then place… more |
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Mosquito Mk.IV InteriorPublished:
Eduard has come out with several photo etch sets for the 1/32 Scale, HK Mk.IV Mosquito and this is one of them. This set provides new replacement control panel parts, control levers, side panel parts, rudder pedals, bomb sight and some other interior details. This set is a copy of their 32840 Interior SA (self- adhesive, I assume) without the additional fret with bulkheads and such. The instructions are quite adequate to provide detailed information on part numbers and placement. Assembly is straight forward but a little fiddly. There are a bunch of very tiny parts that need to be bent and shaped. I used a hobby knife with a number 11 blade to remove the photo etch from the fret. Some of the small parts are hard to hold and glue at the same time. This makes for a time… more |
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Mosquito Mk.IV SeatbeltsPublished:
Eduard has come out with several photo etch sets for the 1/32 Scale, HK Mk.IV Mosquito and this is one of them. This set provides new replacement metal seatbelts. Included is a photo etch set of prepainted and preassembled belts. Thank you. The instructions are quite adequate to provide detailed information on part numbers and placement. Assembly is straight forward but a little fiddly. There are a bunch of very tiny parts that need to be bent and shaped. I used a hobby knife with a number 11 blade to remove the photo etch from the fret. Some of the small parts are hard to hold and glue at the same time. This makes for a time consuming and sometimes aggravating assembly. I used an ACC type glue for assembly. All-in-all Eduard has come to the rescue with some… more |
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Mosquito Mk.IV SeatbeltsPublished:
Eduard has come out with several photo etch sets for the 1/32 Scale. This set provides new replacement Fabric seatbelts. Included are two frets, the first is a photo etch set of buckles and hardware and the second are fabric seatbelts. The fabric belts are actual fabric. They have a paper backing that is easily removed by folding the belt to break the adhesion. Then you simply peel the backing off. Eduard suggest that you rub the fabric belt a few time between your fingers to break the stiffness and make the belt a little more pliable. Once this is done they are easier to work with. The instructions are quite adequate to provide detailed information on part numbers and placement. Assembly is straight forward but extremely fiddly. There are a bunch of very tiny… more |
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Mosquito Mk.IV Interior S.A.Published:
Eduard has come out with several photo etch sets for the 1/32 Scale HK Mk.IV Mosquito. This set provides new replacement interior panel parts, control levers, side panel parts, bulkheads, rudder pedals, bomb sight, and other interior details. The best part about this set is that most of the panels are pre-painted and ready to be placed with a sticky back adhesive already applied. The instructions are quite adequate to provide detailed information on part numbers and placement. Assembly is straight-forward but a little fiddly. There are a bunch of very tiny parts that need to be bent and shaped. I used a hobby knife with a number 11 blade to remove the photo etch from the fret. Some of the small parts are hard to hold and glue at the same time. This makes for a time… more |
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USS Hornet CV-8 Part 5 - AA Quad and 5 in. GunsPublished:
Eduard has come out with several photo etch sets for the 1/200 Scale, Merit, USS Hornet CV-8 (kit# 62001) and this is one of them. Part 5 provides detail parts to upgrade the 5 inch main guns and the Quad 1.1 inch guns. For the 5 inchers, there are new man rails, gun sights, seats and elevation and training wheels. You also get new mount stands. For the 1.1 inchers you get detailing for the breeches, sights, seats and a new floor for the gun tub. Assembly is straight forward but a tad fiddly. There are a bunch of tiny parts that need to be bent and shaped. The seats for the 1.1 inchers require several complex bends that took a while to get the correct shape. Some of the small parts are hard to hold and glue at the same time. The instructions are quite… more |
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USS Hornet CV-8 Part 4 - Oerlikon AA GunsPublished:
Eduard has come out with several photo etch sets for the 1/200 Scale, Merit, USS Hornet CV-8 (kit# 62001) and this is one of them. Part 4 provides detail parts to upgrade the 20 mm Oerlikon AA Guns. The set includes a large sheet of photo etch with a lot of little parts. You get new gun shields and brackets, sights, forward and aft ammo drum covers with handles, elevation wheels and a harness for the gunner. Also included is a new deck (nice looking non-skid) that the guns sit on. You get two options one with the expended ammo canister and one without. Assembly is straight forward but extremely fiddly. There are a bunch of very tiny parts that need to be bent and shaped. Most of the small parts are hard to hold and glue at the same time. This makes for a… more |
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USS Hornet CV-8 Part 3 - Life BoatsPublished:
Eduard has come out with several photo etch sets for the 1/200 Scale, Merit, USS Hornet CV-8 (kit# 62001) and this is one of them. Part 3 provides detail parts to upgrade the ships boats and life rafts. The set includes photo etch parts to upgrade the three gigs and three personnel ship boats. Also included are parts for the life rafts. For the rafts you get new flooring, brackets and strapping. These make a nice assembly and easy to attach to the hull when finished. The personnel boat parts include new flooring, engine covers, man rails both forward and aft, lift rings, cleats, steering gear, anchor, hatch cover and a flag staff. The Gigs include cleats, rails, boat hooks, new midship cockpit and after cockpit flooring and details. Also included are new… more |