Rob Booth
Reviews By Author
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Hawk T.Mk I / Hawk 100 White Metal Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions has produced replacement gear for the Airfix 1/48 scale BAE Hawk T.Mk.1/Hawk 100 kits. The white metal replacements are an exact-cast drop-in replacement for the kit plastic parts. I have reviewed several of these replacement gear packages, and purchased many more on my own. I have always found them to be at least equal, and usually superior to the kit parts in detailing, with the added benefit of superior strength. The supplied items in this issue include the two main gear strut and actuator assemblies, and the nose gear strut and axle assembly. Some other SAC packages include replacement main gear wheels, as well, but not the case here. You will need to use the kit wheels or other replacements for your build. A side by side evaluation (see… more |
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F-16C "100 Years of Flying Fiends"Published:
If you build modern aircraft subjects, you’re no doubt already familiar with Two Bobs Aviation Graphics decals. Owner Bob Sanchez is a USAF vet who has put in plenty of time around modern jet aircraft. His firm produces some of the best quality decals available for unusually marked and typical line examples of modern aircraft subjects. The subjects of this set are two Block 40 F-16Cs from the 36th FS of the 51st FW based at Osan AB, South Korea. The first example is an F-16C Block 40, s/n 89-2043, specially painted to celebrate the Centennial of the “Flying Fiends” in October 2017, with two red “swooshes” and checkerboard graphics on the vertical stabilizer and checkerboard accent graphics on the rear fuselage canards. The second example is an F-16C Block 40 line bird, s/n 88-… more |
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B-2 Spirit Global Strike StealthPublished:
If you build modern aircraft subjects, you’re probably already familiar with Two Bobs Aviation Graphics decals. Owner Bob Sanchez is a USAF vet who has put in plenty of time around modern jet aircraft. His firm produces some of the best quality decals available for unusually marked and typical line examples of modern aircraft subjects. The subjects of this set are nineteen examples of B-2 “Spirit” stealth bombers of the 509th Bomb Wing, stationed at Whiteman AFB, MO. They include the “Spirits” of America, Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, Texas, Missouri, California, South Carolina, Washington, Kansas, Nebraska, Georgia, Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Oklahoma, Kitty Hawk, Pennsylvania and Louisiana, each with their distinctive gear door graphics markings. There are only 20 B-2’s in the USAF… more |
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A5M2 Claude Resin Replacement Flying Control Surfaces PartsPublished:
Aires has produced a set of resin flying control surfaces parts for the Wingsy Kits A5M2b Claude. The resin replacements are a simple drop-in for the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include two ailerons, two horizontal stabilizers and one vertical stabilizer. The tail plane parts will require modification of the horizontal stabilizer to accept the new resin parts. An evaluation of the parts (see photos) indicates a replacement of superior detail that will provide not only better detailing, but control posable surfaces compared to those supplied with the kit. The parts are cast using Aires fine, rigid, grey resin with no signs of any bubbles or flash clean-up necessary. The ribbing detailing appears the slightest bit proud to me, but nothing that a couple of swipes with… more |
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A5M2b Claude Resin Replacement Exhaust PartsPublished:
Quickboost has produced a set of resin exhaust parts for the Wingsy Kits A5M2b Claude. The resin replacements are a simple drop-in for the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include two replacement manifolds with exhaust pipes. A side by side evaluation (see photos) with the kit parts indicates a replacement of superior detail that will provide a more accurate exhaust system than those supplied with the kit (particularly if posing the engine area exposed). The parts are cast in fine, semi-rigid grey resin with no signs of any bubbles or flash clean-up necessary. As with any resin parts, be sure to wash thoroughly and rinse of any mold release before priming (a must for any/all resin). Use your favorite metallic paint to create a well-rendered exhaust for your… more |
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Aircraft Hangar Display Base with BackgroundPublished:
Coastalkits from the UK has produced a line of model display bases in various designs, shapes and scales from grass airfields to modern hardscapes. This particular design is a rectangular replica of typical concrete hangar floor and photo backdrop of a hangar wall and bi-parting door. The dimensions are 420mm X 297mm X 420mm (about 12 X 16-1/2 inches) and is suitable for small to medium sized 1/48 scale aircraft. The resolution of the printing is excellent, and provides a realistic setting as an added presentation touch for your latest masterpiece at contests, or in your display case at home. The artboard core of the base and background makes for a lightweight addition to your contest take-along accessories that will make your model stand out from those that are simply placed… more |
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Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib Fuel TanksPublished:
Chances are, if you model aircraft in any of the major scales you are well familiar with Eduard. Their product range varies from simple photoetched enhancement frets to multi-media kits, conversion sets, and accessories which are amongst the finest in the hobby. Their products may be purchased online through www.eduard.com. I have built a few of their kits and have used many of their accessories over the years. I am even a card-carrying member of the Bunny Fighter Club, which provided me a carrot-themed 1/48 Mig-21 and allows me a modest discount when buying direct. Check the website, and it will make sense. Eduard has produced a set of resin Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib fuel tanks in 1/48 scale as a part of their “Brassin” line. The resin tanks and… more |
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AN/ALQ-131 Countermeasures PodPublished:
Chances are, if you model aircraft in any of the major scales you are well familiar with Eduard. Their product range varies from simple photo-etched enhancement frets to multi-media kits, conversion sets, and accessories which are amongst the finest in the hobby. Their products may be purchased online through www.eduard.com. I have built a few of their kits, and have used many of their accessories over the years. I am even a card-carrying member of the Bunny Fighter Club, which provided me a carrot-themed 1/48 Mig-21 and allows me a modest discount when buying direct. Check the website, and it will make sense. Eduard has produced a resin AN/ALQ-131 (deep) ECM pod in 1/48 scale as a part of their “Brassin” line. The resin pod is a beautifully… more |
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AGM-154C1 Block II Joint Stand-off WeaponPublished:
Eduard has produced a beautifully cast 1/48 version of one of the most current US Military’s air-delivered weapons – the AGM-154C1 (Block II) Joint Stand-off Weapon (JSOW). The Wikipedia article for the AGM-154 says: “The AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon or JSOW is currently in the fleet and in use by the US Navy. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases have been signed with Poland and Turkey for use with their F-16 fighters. Finland, Greece and Singapore are pursuing FMS cases at this time.[1][2]… more |
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PBY Catalina ExhaustPublished:
Quickboost has produced replacement exhaust parts for the Academy 1/72 PBY Catalina kits. The resin replacement is a simple drop-in for the kit's plastic parts. There is no modification required to the kit parts to use these resin replacements. A side by side evaluation (see photos) indicates a replacement of superior detail that will provide a more accurate rendition of the exhaust assemblies. Check your references for the appropriate set to use (some models of the Cat had a straight pipe exhaust). Be sure to wash the parts in soapy water to remove mold release agents and prime prior to using your favorite modeling paints. Also, remember that you must use epoxy or CA glue to attach these parts to styrene plastic. Highly recommended. Thanks to the IPMS Reviewer… more |