Rob Booth
Reviews By Author
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B-58 Hustler Pitot TubePublished:
Master Model is a scale model metal detailing parts manufacturer located in Poland. Their lines include exquisitely detailed photo-etched and white metal replacement parts for aircraft and ships in the most commonly produced scales. Master has produced a replacement nose pitot for the venerable old Monogram B-58 Hustler kit. Chances are that if you are tackling this aging kit, you’ll want some aftermarket goodies to dress up and/or supplement the old, brittle plastic parts where possible. The turned metal pitot is a clean plug-in replacement for the kit plastic part. A side-by-side evaluation (see photos) indicates an identical replacement that provides a much more realistic assembly with a significantly improved abuse tolerance. My only very nit-picky reservation with… more |
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Spitfire Mk II, Vb, VI Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions has produced replacement gear for the Hasegawa 1/32 Spitfire Mk II, Vb, VI kits. The gear strut attachment points will also match up with the Revell I/II kit, and perhaps some others with the same wing tooling. I have reviewed several of these sets, and have purchased a few more on my own, because in all cases, they have been superior to the kit items. The white metal replacements are a clean drop-in for the kits plastic parts. The supplied items include two main gear struts and braces, and one tail gear assembly. Also included are white metal tires. The tires are a significant improvement in detail over the kit tires, which are devoid of any tread pattern. The SAC tires also have tread and improved rim/lug detailing. A side by side evaluation… more |
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PV-1 Ventura Engine CowlingsPublished:
Plusmodel was established in 1990 in the Czech Republic. Their product range is primarily made up of 1/35th scale resin kits, conversion sets, and accessories which are vacuum cast from polyurethane resin. Their products may be purchased on line through https://www.modelchoice.net . A new addition to their line is a set of replacement cowlings for the Academy 1/72 PV-1 Ventura kit. The resin cowlings are a two-piece, cut and glue in-place replacement of the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include a two-piece main cowling and engine nacelle, and tiny intake covers for each. A side-by-side evaluation (see photos) indicates a cut-and-fit replacement that provides a much more realistic assembly, including opened cowl flaps.… more |
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OV-10 Bronco Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions has produced replacement gear for the Hawk/Testors OV-10 Bronco kit. I have reviewed several of these sets, and have purchased a few more on my own, because in all cases they have been superior to the kit items. The white metal replacements are a clean drop-in for the kits plastic parts. The supplied items include two main gear struts and braces and one nose gear strut. Also included are weighted tires mastered by Doug Smith of Royal Resin. The weighted wheels are a significant improvement in detail over the balloonish kit tires. The SAC tires also have tread and improved rim/lug detailing. A side-by-side evaluation (see photos) indicates an identical strut replacement that should provide greater strength with a significantly improved weight… more |
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F-16 Pitot Tube and AOA ProbesPublished:
Master-Model has produced replacement AOA probes and a pitot tube for any 1/32 F-16 kit. The metal replacements are a simple drop-in for the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include two AOA probes and one pitot tube. There will be no modification required for the installation of the replacements other than a slight drilling out of the pitot receiving hole to accommodate the replacement’s larger base (at least on my Academy kit’s nose cone). You will have to use CA or epoxy glues to secure them, of course. A side-by side-evaluation (see photos) indicates a replacement of superior detail that will provide a more accurate representation of these tiny exterior details. Highly recommended. Thanks to Master Model and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for the opportunity to… more |
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F-16 Gun BarrelsPublished:
Quickbost has produced a replacement gun barrel for any 1/32 F-16 kit. The resin replacements are a simple drop-in for the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include two replacement muzzles. The only modification required will be the removal of the end of the kit part’s barrels beyond the second sleeve. A side-by-side evaluation (see photos) indicates a replacement of superior detail that will provide a more accurate view of a true dogfighter’s weapon of choice. Highly recommended. Thanks to Quickboost and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for the opportunity to review this item. |
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MiG-21 F-13 (Fishbed C) Pitot TubePublished:
Master Model has produced a replacement nose pitot for the Trumpeter MiG-21 F-13 Fishbed kit. The replacement pitot is a clean drop-in for the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include a two-piece main pitot tube of turned stainless and photo etch brass vane fins. A side-by-side evaluation (see photos) indicates an identical replacement that provides a much more realistic assembly with a significantly improved abuse tolerance. Painting of the main tube should not be necessary, but the fins will need a quick touch with silver or red to transform the brass. Check your references Some assembly is required. The photo etch vane fins are placed in tiny holes in the forward pitot section, and secured with CA glue. The instructions suggest removing the plastic tube from the… more |
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Boeing 727 Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions has produced replacement gear for the Airfix Boeing 727 kit. The white metal replacements are a clean drop-in for the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include two main gear struts and braces, and one nose gear strut. Some SAC packages include replacement wheels, as well, but that’s not the case here. You will need to use the Airfix shoes for your build. A side-by-side evaluation (see photo) indicates an identical replacement that should provide a greater strength of assembly with a significantly improved weight capacity and abuse tolerance. In some cases, painting may not be necessary. Highly recommended. Thanks to Scale Aircraft Conversions and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for the opportunity to review this item. |
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MRC-Italeri Special Decals 2012-IPMS National ConventionPublished:
At the 2012 Orlando IPMS Nationals, Model Rectifier Corporation made a special decal sheet of multi-nationals roundel insignia available for giveaway at their show booth. I was lucky enough to receive one of those sheets from the IPMS Reviewer Corps. This sheet contains national markings for USA modern aircraft (color stars & bars), Japan, Australia, Russia, Soviet Union, Germany, China, Italy and Canada, in various sizes and scales from relatively large to tiny. I built an old Starfix 1/72 T-38 for my father’s career aircraft collection, and the decals were unusable. I found some USAF lettering in my spares box, but used the stars and bars from this sheet. They went down smoothly, and with a touch of Solvaset, nestled down into the re-scribed surface detailing I… more |
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America’s Secret Mig SquadronPublished:
One of the planned builds in my stash is the Mig-21 F-13 the USAF obtained from the Israelis that became the secret “Have Doughnut” project. I discovered this aircraft in an article in an old Air Force Association Magazine my Dad gave me. The photos of the ungainly looking natural metal beast with stars and bars markings were intriguing. When I saw this book offered up on the review list, I asked for it thinking it would contain all the reference photos I needed to supplement those in the magazine to complete that build. I was wrong. There were few photos of the aircraft in the book. What I did find, though, was the fascinating story of the creation of one of our country’s greatest defense assets over the past few decades. Author, and former F-4 Phantom driver Gail Peck (Col.,… more |