Rod Lees
Reviews By Author
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H-21C Shawnee "Flying Banana"Published:
This kit has been long in coming; a 1/48 scale H-21 appears to be a popular seller; first in the 1950’s with “Helicopters for Industry” corporation having tooled a rudimentary but well-done for the time model of the H-21A; released approximately in 1956, the molds of this kit (along with that company’s Hiller “ramjet” powered flying jeep helicopter with it’s rotor tip ramjet engines, and the H-19A), were then sold and marketed to Aurora around 1958. This kit was available through the 1960’s, and is still a classic and much-sought collectors’s item, fetching up to $175 on the market. Fondarie Miniatures developed their own new kit of the H-21 helicopter in the late 1990’s, which was released with vacform canopy and cabin windows, metal parts, and the usual short-run struggle to… more |
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U.S. Aircraft Drop Tank CapsPublished:
THANK YOU to our friends and suppliers at Brengun for this sending us review items like this fuel tank cap set! And thanks also to the reviewer corps leaders for making them available to me to review…. This set takes the kit components and improves them by providing a more 3-d effect after installation. This simple set has different fuel caps for use on aircraft and, most assuredly, on other items in 1/48 scale. Included are 50 caps of various designs, sufficient for several WWII fighters To use this set is actually simple; prepare the kit fuel cap area by removing any detail, and use a spot of gel or thick superglue (a VERY SMALL SPOT or you will have ooze) to hold the part in place. I never would have thought a set like this would have utility, but when… more |
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F-15C "Strike" Eagle "Gulf War" 25th AnniversaryPublished:
Up front: Sincere thanks to Italeri and their U.S. distributor, Hobbico USA, for this Boeing -Licensed model of the long-serving F-15C. And thanks to IPMS for sending it to review. First off: This is not a “Strike Eagle” but a standard “C” model with parts which would fit on the F-15E. This original kit hails back to around 1990 or so; it’s a mixed bag of older technology, and improvements that we now take for granted. Engraved exterior detail is very petite but there is little in the way of fasteners, etc., which is ok! Fit of the parts is a bit “loose”, as you can tell by the copious quantity of putty I used on assembly. Flash is present. But it’s an Eagle! The Box art will sell the model; the decal sheet and options will redeem it. On to the build. The wing… more |
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Late Model F-14 Vertical Tail Reinforcement PlatesPublished:
We are certainly going to continue to see great things from Furball; and IPMS/USA sincerely appreciates Furball Aero-Design’s support by providing one more of their great products for review. And thanks to the reviewer corps leaders for sending this set to me to work on! External metal plates are commonplace engineering solutions to vibration and fatigue cracking on aircraft structures. In the case of the F-14 (and the F-15 under “Pacer Buffet” in the mid-1980’s) early block aircraft developed fatigue cracks in the vertical fins. The quick solution (before you have to buy new fins for the next generation aircraft) is to apply external stiffener plates. In the old days they were called “fishplates” because they were shaped like fish in profile. The purpose is to distribute the… more |
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A/M32A-60 GeneratorPublished:
This kit provides an am32a-60 Generator, 1/32 scale, air and power cart, used by United States and NATO to provide ground power for ground system operations and compressed air for starting jet engines. The “Dash 60”, as it is known, is a portable gas-turbine powered unit designed to provide high-pressure air to spin jet engines up to starting RPM, and at the same time provide 28-volt DC, 1500 amp, or 115/220-volt AC three-phase electrical power for aircraft systems. Once the engine starts and the aircraft is running on its own power, the cart is shut down and removed from the vicinity of the aircraft, allowing it to depart. This kit comes with provision for three different decal marking options; one in standard 1960’s through 1980’s Yellow, one in the USAF 36079 overall… more |
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Spoiler and Flap Mask Set for Tamiya F-14Published:
Furball; a dogfighters’ term for a fighter-themed modeling company. We sincerely appreciate Furball Aero-Design’s support of IPMS USA and their providing one more of their great products for review. And thanks to the reviewer corps leaders for sending this set to me to review! Everyone who loves to mask flaps and slats on white-belly marked F-14’s, raise your hands. (Not you, Scott, I know you hate Navy stuff and won’t touch them). Long story there... Anyway, for the other hundreds who didn’t raise your hands and laboriously mask off the white slats and flaps on your Tomcats with bits of masking tape and swearing profusely, Furball has a simple solution: This very fine vinyl mask set! To use: assemble Tamiya’s F-14 wings, and do all your prep work (seams, etc).… more |
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USN F-14 Tomcats Colors & Markings Part IIIPublished:
Furball; a dogfighters’ term for a fighter-themed modeling company. We sincerely appreciate Furball Aero-Design’s support of IPMS USA and their providing one more of their great products for review. And thanks to the reviewer corps leaders for sending this set to me to review! This set provides markings for nine early-model F-14A’s from the Bicentennial era:
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B-52G Stratofortress "Gulf War" 25th AnniversaryPublished:
Up front: Sincere thanks to Italeri and their U.S. distributor, Hobbico USA, for this Boeing -Licensed model of the venerable B-52. And thanks to IPMS for sending it to review. The old (1992) AMT/Ertl (Now released by Italeri) B-52 G and H series were hailed at the time as a "Someone finally listened" moment. Three versions of the kit were released, all of which shared the modular center/core of the B-52 line. The B-52G was released in a hound-dog carrier, early-version without EVS (Electro-optical Viewing) and FLIR (Forward looking Infra-red) chin–mounted sensor turrets and fairings. This kit was released with an excellent set of Hound Dog missiles for underwing mounting. The engines were correct for the "G", with the side-mounted electrical generator cooling ducts, and the… more |
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B-17 Pilot and Co-Pilot Seat Double PackPublished:
This upgrade provides a 1//32 scale improved seat for the HK B-17. It comes in three different options, with two seats to a package. One is the plain seat, one has basic seat cushions and backpad, and one has seat cushions, backpad, and the lap-belt, as the B-17 was (from my references) rarely equipped with over-the shoulder harnesses until later versions. The lap belt is the ultimate in final detail. As you can see in the side-by side view, the kit seat (in basic gray plastic) is about 3/8” taller than the Resin2detail seats; I believe the Resin 2 detail seats are more accurate. All three seat sets were the same, with the exception of the additional details for the modeler’s requirement. This seat has cushions and lap belts. I (carefully) used a razor saw to remove the seats… more |
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B-17 Pilot and Copilot SeatsPublished:
This upgrade provides a 1//32 scale improved seat for the HK B-17. It comes in three different options, with two seats to a package. One is the plain seat, one has basic seat cushions and backpad, and one has seat cushions, backpad, and the lap-belt. As the B-17 was (from my references) rarely equipped with over-the shoulder harnesses until later versions, the lap belt is the ultimate in final detail. As you can see in the side-by side view, the kit seat (in basic gray plastic) is about 3/8” taller than the Resin2detail seats. I believe the Resin 2 detail seats are more accurate. All three seat sets were the same, with the exception of the additional details for the modeler’s requirement. This seat was without cushions or harness, and will work well with the aircrew I intend to… more |