Rob Benson
Reviews By Author
F6F Hellcat, Detail & Scale Series Volume 10Published:
Thank you to Bert Kinzey, Chris Sakal and Rock Roszak for continuing to bring back a tremendous resource for the modeler and aviation historian, in a digital format. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to test out this new and exciting method of researching history, details, and versions of the iconic F6F Hellcat. This new digital volume is a must-have! OverviewThe publication is a thorough and up-to date documentation of the F6F Hellcat, well-suited for modeler and the aviation aficionado. Detail & Scale has always set a high standard, but Digital Volume 10 has exceeded even this high standard. The first Hellcat volume was released in 1987, followed by a revised second volume published in 1996. The third revision includes much more information… more |
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Vigilante! A Pilot’s Story: 1,200 Hours Flying the Ultimate U. S. Navy Reconnaissance AircraftPublished:
Thank you very much to Specialty Press for providing a review copy of their new release, Vigilante! A Pilot’s Story: 1,200 Hours Flying the Ultimate U. S. Navy Reconnaissance Aircraft, by CDR Robert R. “Boom” Powell. As always, I appreciate all those in the IPMS Reviewer Corps, whose work is critical to sharing new and exciting modeling publications and products with the world. OverviewThis book is not simply one pilot’s compiled experience, nor is it merely a description of operational and combat records of the Vigilante. It tells the fascinating story of the entire Vigilante’s lifespan in an extraordinary anthology of forty-plus aircrew and support staff stories in context of the aircraft’s history. An excellent balance of technical language and human… more |
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Detail & Scale F/A-18E & F/A-18F, also includes the EA-18G Growler, Digital VersionPublished:
Thank you to Haagen Klaus, Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak for continuing to bring back a tremendous resource for the modeler and aviation historian, in a digital format. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to test out this new and exciting method of researching history, details, and versions of the Super Hornet. OverviewThe publication is a thorough and up-to date documentation of the Super Hornet and derivative Growler, well-suited for modeler and the aviation aficionado. The first Detail & Scale Super Hornet volume was released in 2004 at the start of the Super Hornet’s operational service, when far less documentation and photographs were available. Vol 9 includes much more information than what was available in 2004. While I am not a subject… more |
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F9F Cougar in Detail & Scale, Detail & Scale Series, Volume 2 Revised EditionPublished:
Thank you to Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak for continuing to bring back a tremendous resource for the modeler and aviation historian, in a print-on-demand format. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to review the latest Detail & Scale publication describing history, details, and versions of the F9F Cougar. The official title is F9F Cougar in detail & scale, Detail & Scale Series, Volume 2 Revised Edition. This volume is part one of a revised Cougar series first published in 2014 and focuses on aircraft history and details. There are all sorts of new materials in this volume compared to the previous edition. A later revision will include colors and markings of Cougar units. Detail & Scale is continuing a digital… more |
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F-14D cockpit in 1:48Published:
Thank you to the Eduard Company for sending this cockpit after-market set for review, it is always a pleasure to see what your new products bring to the scale-modeling world. Thank you also to the IPMS Reviewer Corps staff members who do the hard work in getting us modeling products to review, the reviews posted, and the news spread to the world. SummaryThis aftermarket set from Eduard is a superb addition to the already excellent Tamiya F-14D kit. The Eduard set simplifies construction of the cockpit area and adds a very high level of detail that only exceptional resin casting can provide. Assembly was nearly flawless. The only problems were of my own doing. A small color-etched fret and a brass PE fret accompanied the numerous resin parts, with additional details… more |
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Detail & Scale Jet Fighters of the U. S. Navy & Marine Corps, Part 1: The First Ten YearsPublished:
Thank you to Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak for continuing to bring back a tremendous resource for the modeler and aviation historian in a print-on-demand format. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to review the latest Detail & Scalepublication describing history, details, and versions of early USN and USMC jets and related aircraft carrier design changes. The official title is Jet Fighters of the U. S. Navy & Marine Corps, Part 1: The First Ten Years. The second volume is due for release later this year. OverviewThe publication is an excellent compilation of the early jets that served, or in some cases did not advance to serve aboard USN carriers. Only jets with a fighter mission are covered. The first seven aircraft chapters… more |
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Detail & Scale Jet Fighters of the U. S. Navy & Marine Corps, Part 1: The First Ten YearsPublished:
Thank you to Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak for continuing to bring back a tremendous resource for the modeler and aviation historian in a digital format. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to test out this new and exciting method of researching history, details, and versions of early USN and USMC jets and related aircraft carrier design changes. The official title is Jet Fighters of the U. S. Navy & Marine Corps, Part 1: The First Ten Years. The second volume is due for release later this year. OverviewThe publication is an excellent compilation of the early jets that served, or in some cases didn’t advance to serve aboard USN carriers. Only jets with a fighter mission are covered. The first seven chapters describe straight-wing designs (… more |
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WWII U. S. Navy Wheel Chocks in 1/32Published:
Many thanks to the Hauler Brengun Company and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to review this unique diorama accessory! Hauler Brengun is a prolific contributor to the IPMS Reviewer system and I am very pleased to report on my experience with these excellent accessories, USN wheel chocks in 2 scales. These chocks are great addition to any USN aircraft of the WW2 era. The chocks are virtually identical, other than scale. They are cleanly cast in gray resin that is not too brittle or soft. The chocks are excellent replicas of the style used during World War 2. They are very easily detached from the pour plugs and assembled. A little cleanup with a square file is required and the chocks are adjustable! The only caution I have is to be very careful of the locking… more |
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WWII U. S. Navy Wheel Chocks in 1/48Published:
Many thanks to the Hauler Brengun Company and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to review this unique diorama accessory! Hauler Brengun is a prolific contributor to the IPMS Reviewer system and I am very pleased to report on my experience with these excellent accessories, USN wheel chocks in 2 scales. These chocks are great addition to any USN aircraft of the WW2 era. The chocks are virtually identical, other than scale. They are cleanly cast in gray resin that is not too brittle or soft. The chocks are excellent replicas of the style used during World War 2. They are very easily detached from the pour plugs and assembled. A little cleanup with a square file is required and the chocks are adjustable! The only caution I have is to be very careful of the locking… more |
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F-8 & RF-8 Crusader, Print-on-Demand, Volume 8Published:
Thank you to Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak for continuing to bring back a tremendous resource for the modeler, in a print-on-demand paperback format. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to test out this new and exciting story of the F-8/RF-8 Crusader’s history, details, versions and markings. OverviewThe publication is yet another extraordinary compilation of history, data and images of a ground-breaking USN jet. This new publication is a thoroughly updated and improved reference, expanding on the first Crusader volume released in 1988. The content is organized in chapters covering history, variants, NASA Crusaders, foreign operators, Vietnam Crusaders, and aircraft details. The modeler’s section is a very… more |