Rod Lees
Reviews By Author
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Heritage VipersPublished:
Speed Graphics is that sub-part of Reid Air products which have focused (initially) on Modern Fighters, particularly USAF and some export birds. Their line-up is impressive, filled with USAFE , PACAF, and Stateside Rhinos and Vipers… take a look. Thanks to Reid Air for sending IPMS USA this set, to Dave for the nod to move out on them, and Dick for bringing the sheet to the Nationals for me. This release is a complex, well-researched product. Designed for Tamiya’s superlative-laden F-16 series, you can build from an early block 10 Viper all through the block 42. Invest heavily in the aggressor version, as you will need it to properly configure your jet, or you can go the resin route and have an AMS feast. Your budget limits the choice. The instructions deserve copious… more |
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BLU-27 Fire Bombs FinnedPublished:
Videoaviation is a small company out of Italy manufacturing big things; in this case, they provide large scale modelers the items missing from many of our 1/32 models to bring them to life, particularly in a diorama setting if you have room! Having built their Dash-60 Power cart earlier this year, I was aware of the quality of Videoaviation products… and this continues with this simple, effective set of two firebombs. The BLU-27 firebomb set will produce two, Vietnam-era Napalm with stabilizing fins. The BLU-27 was utilized as an effective anti-personnel weapon during a war where the world was less concerned about environmental issues. Common employers of this weapon were the A-26, A-1, F-100, F-4, and F-105 (not so much when their mission changed later in the war). I… more |
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Bomb Trolley US Bombs 500lb AN-M64 (6)Published:
Videoaviation is a small company out of Italy manufacturing big things. In this case, they provide large scale modelers the items missing from many of our 1/32 models to bring them to life, particularly in a diorama setting if you have room! This set is simple but detailed. In it you have parts for the cart, the bomb adaptor trailer, and six A/N (Army/Navy) M64 500 Lb. HE bombs. The fuse and anti-roll lugs are integral with the bomb body. Once you remove the pour disk from the bomb body tail, drill a hole in the extreme center and install the aft fuse propeller and extension rod NOW verses later like I did. It’s hard to install with the fin assembly in place. The fins themselves need to be carefully removed from the pour stub with a very fine razor saw, that way you won… more |
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OS2U Kingfisher Beaching Gear (KH)Published:
SAC once again provides a very nice set of cast metal gear to help your model stand out in public places. And this one is as simple as it gets. THANKS ROSS for providing this set to IPMS USA, and to Dick and Dave for sending it to me. Particularly Dick, who HAND DELIVERED the item (along with other cool things) to me at the Nationals. This set is the usual SAC total replacement of the kit items, with improved assembly and ease of installation. The other benefit in this case is the axle assemblies are metal verses plastic. No broken off axles after a hard landing (just bend the gear back into place). With the short wheelbase and narrow track of the Kingfisher, this one is a must have, because the stress will kill the plastic parts. Also, have you seen that itty-bitty… more |
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UN Navy Aero 12C CartPublished:
Videoaviation is a small company out of Italy manufacturing big things; in this case, they provide large scale modelers the items missing from many of our 1/32 models to bring them to life, particularly in a diorama setting if you have room! In this case, a crew of modern day carrier crew members in action poses. First, kudos to Videoaviation for providing total instructions, including basic painting for the figures. Some still do not have internet capability (gasp) so this is important. I found the instructions helpful. This set comes in a top opening box containing resin items for one figure in a "pushing walk" Ordinance man, or "Ordie", in pose to be used behind the accompanying Aero 12 Bomb transport cart. He has a skull cap, ear defenders, goggles down, and basic… more |
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Navy Deck Crew (Modern Crew)Published:
Videoaviation is a small company out of Italy manufacturing big things; in this case, they provide large scale modelers the items missing from many of our 1/32 models to bring them to life, particularly in a diorama setting if you have room! In this case, a crew of modern day carrier crew members in action poses. First, kudos to Videoaviation for providing total instructions, including basic painting for the figures. Some still do not have internet capability (gasp) so this is important. I found the instructions helpful. This set comes in a top opening box containing resin items for five figures in various carrier launch poses… two "shooters”, one deck handler with holdback brackets (five included), one wheel chock handler (with parts for three chocks), and one Fly… more |
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SU-34 Landing GearPublished:
Again, a (British term) “Lovely” set of cast metal gear to help your model stand on its own without looking like Bambi on pond ice after a few months. This set is the usual SAC total replacement of the kit items, with improved assembly and ease of installation. Whereas on this kit you are required to capture a wire between the strut halves for strength (which is still an improvement over total plastic gear), SAC saves you the effort of having to clean up the parts after assembly. The other benefit I n this case is the axle assemblies are metal versus plastic. No broken off axles after a hard landing (just bend the gear back into place) Consisting of 18 parts versus 21 for the kit, these parts just require a bit of inspection, a swipe or two with a sanding stick… more |
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SU-17 Landing Gear for KittyhawkPublished:
SAC once again provides a very nice set of cast metal gear to help your model stand out in public places. This set is the usual SAC total replacement of the kit items, with improved assembly and ease of installation. The major benefit In this case is the axle assemblies are metal verses plastic. No broken off axles after a hard landing (just bend the gear back into place) Consisting of 9 cleanly-cast metal parts replacing the 9 structural parts for the kit, the SAC gear just requires a bit of inspection, a swipe or two with a sanding stick to clean up any mold parting marks, and painting. The detail is fantastic on today’s scale landing gear, and it’s obvious to me SAC have been listening to their customers. The only difficulty for just about ANY gear is the… more |
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SU-27 Landing Gear for Hobbyboss KitPublished:
SAC once again provides a very nice set of cast metal gear to help your model stand out in public places. This set is the usual SAC total replacement of the kit items, with improved assembly and ease of installation. The other benefit I n this case is the axle assemblies are metal verses plastic. No broken off axles after a hard landing (just bend the gear back into place). The debris deflector is strong and in two halves and cleans up well after assembly. I only installed ½ of the deflector on the photographs as the kit is still in the construction phase, and this review is more about the gear and how it works… Consisting of eight cleanly-cast metal parts replacing the eight structural parts for the kit, the SAC gear just require a bit of inspection, a swipe or… more |
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Hunter F.6/FGA.9 Aerobatic TeamsPublished:
Extreme gratitude from IPMS USA and this reviewer to Hobbico for providing us this kit… it’s been a while off the radar and we’re pleased it’s back! This kit was originally released around 1997 or so, if I remember correctly. At the time it was (and still is) the best of the 1/48 kits of this famous British fighter, and was considered to be the “UK Sabre” of its day with maneuverability, speed, and overall “it looks right” appearance. This kit continues Italeri’s current trend of releasing warfighting aircraft with specialized color schemes. In the box you get the Hunter F.6 and FGA.9, with two different lower nose cannon covers, and the different size/shape exhaust area required for each version based on the engine installation. The F-6 was designed as an air-to- air… more |