Rod Lees
Reviews By Author
|
Dornier Do 335 B-2 "Pfeil" (Arrow) - Part 1Published:
Thanks to Neil at HK models for providing the IPMS/USA with this pre-release kit for review. We appreciate and value your contributions and look forward to more releases from your company. Thanks also to the IPMS leadership for trusting me to get this thing done! As a pre-release kit, I received the HK Models Do 335 without instructions in a basic shipping box. This was a bit of a daunting challenge; could I do it? Of course I whined when I found out the engine compartments and some of the interior were a bit more complicated than I thought. I was subsequently sent a PDF of the basic instructions from the fearless reviewer corps leader, Dave, and I began to breathe again. Molded in light gray, along with clear parts and two metal weights for the nose, I held in my hands… more |
|
Jas-39 Gripen Refueling ProbePublished:
Kitty Hawk’s 1/48 scale Jas-39 Gripen is a detailed, well-executed kit. It does require skill to assemble, and many of the details are simplified for various reasons. This is where Quickboost (Aires’ in-house brand) has stepped in to provide some added detail. Quickboost provides us with a better-detailed, very fine aerial refueling boom and probe. The nozzle head itself is literally perfect. The remainder of the boom is a worthy upgrade just so you don’t have to scrape the mold seam from along the sides of the kit’s boom. This can save a ton of time! Also included in the detail set is a well for the retracted boom and exterior door with actuator. Ultimately, the kit’s parts were best described as “meh,” and these Quickboost additions are just the thing to kick the build up a… more |
|
Jas-39A/C Gripen Speed BrakesPublished:
Kitty Hawk’s 1/48 scale Jas-39 Gripen is a detailed, well-executed kit. It does require skill to assemble, and many of the details are simplified for various reasons. This is where Aires Hobby Models has stepped in to provide some added detail. This particular Aries resin set provides an upgrade to the Gripen’s speed brakes. Aires provides two fully-detailed brake wells and two speed brakes with fine, accurate rivet and internal bracing detail. The bays have no actuators or tubing to install, but have better detail featuring light riveting and embossed bits. They brakes and wells are truly drop-fit replacement items for the kit parts; the fit was excellent! Thanks to Aires for providing this set for review. Your continued support is more than valued, and we appreciate… more |
|
Jas-39A/C Cockpit SetPublished:
Kitty Hawk’s 1/48 scale Jas-39 Gripen is a detailed, well-executed kit. It does require skill to assemble, and many of the details are simplified for various reasons. This is where Aires Hobby Models has stepped in to provide some added detail. In this case, Aires has created a very nice resin replacement cockpit. Opening the package reveals fine details that would take endless patience and hours of skillful work to deliver. The cockpit set provides sidewalls, a control column, a full lower cockpit tub, the forward instrument-panel coaming, and a world-class ejection seat. Etched details are provided for the seat harness, a few extra cockpit details, and an instrument panel. With practice and a steady hand, this cockpit will look fantastic in the finished model and will… more |
|
R4D/Arctic C-47 Conversion SetPublished:
To start, I’d like to thank Mike West at Lone Star Models. I told him I was reviewing a C-47 kit for the IPMS/USA and wanted to use one of his Arctic ski sets on the model. He had it to me in two weeks, which is a really great delivery time for someone who makes his products “to order.” I also must say thanks to the IPMS/USA leadership for allowing me to present a review of this item. This R4D/Arctic C-47 Conversion from Lone Star Models was used on my review of the Revell reissue of the Monogram 1/48 scale C-47. I have long wanted to build an Arctic C-47, and when I received the box I was… more |
|
C-47 Skytrain with ParatroopersPublished:
Thanks very much to Revell for providing IPMS/USA this re-release… This is a timely addition to their catalog for D-Day interest (Was it really 70 years ago?) or just those of us wanting to build a C-47! We appreciate your support; I also provide the usual thanks to IPMS/USA leadership for allowing me to review this item. This is the venerable C-47 originally released by Monogram in 1978, now molded in China and carried by Revell. The original Monogram copyright on the lower exterior wing now says “China 1978”, and a stamp with that information was also used on the inside of the kit in white ink… Molded in Dark olive green and clear, this kit has survived the test of time, to include releases of a DC-3 version, and later an AC-47 gunship with later minigun fit. No flash, and fit… more |
|
F-14A Wheels and TiresPublished:
Thanks to Aires for providing IPMS/USA this wheel set for review… As ALWAYS we appreciate your support, and thanks to IPMS USA leadership for allowing me to review this set. About 20 years ago I never thought we would be living in the age of such cool resin parts… and then I receive this set for review. The “Oh cool” factor (some call it ‘wow’) is very high here. The Hobby Boss F-14 appears to be a great kit. One area that needs a bit of picking up the bar on is the wheels and tires. Enter Aires Wheeliant! Inside the Retro-red slip cover are 8 wheel halves, and four tires which have been pre-flattened to a proper level for high pressure tires. Also included (at least in this package) was a length of copper wire to add brake lines. Absolutely a great idea!… more |
|
Flightline Universal Box (3)Published:
Thanks to Aires for providing IPMS USA this set of diorama items for review… We appreciate your support, and thanks to IPMS USA leadership for allowing me to review this item. One area that seems to have been lacking in the modeling world are diorama accessories. Oh sure, you can get deceased cows, dogs, humans, burned-down buildings… but “where is the aircraft support equipment”? For sure there are some companies out there who deliver, but… we need more! Enter Aires Aerobonus…. Continuing their esoteric addressing of what can be done with resin casting and a bit of effort… This set is three boxes. Non-descript, but appropriate for a flightline operation Handles are molded on the ends; there is one latch assembly. Round it off with an excellent decal sheet, and… more |
|
Sea King AEW Radar CoverPublished:
First: Thanks to Aires for providing IPMS USA this really fantastic item to review! We appreciate your support; thanks also to IPMS USA leadership for allowing me to review this item. This upgrade consists of two parts; the swing boom which sets the radome away from the aircraft, and the actual radome itself. A note about what this is; the Airborne Early Warning Sea Kings in the Royal Navy were a stop-gap measure to provide additional radar early warning to the RN fleet of impending low-level cruise missiles or fighters attacking the fleet during the Falklands/Malvinas war in 1982. Their intent was to stand off a distance from where the ships were and provide the outer net of warning. In the process, a very ungainly radome was hung from the right side sliding cargo… more |
|
U.S.A.F. Maintenance Crew - Farm Gate Operation Vietnam War 1965-1973Published:
To start, my thanks to Aires for providing IPMS/USA with this figure to review! One of six in this review series, each shows a passion and dedication Aires have to providing the finest resin products. We appreciate your support, with the usual nod to IPMS/USA leadership for allowing me to review these figures. Produced under the Aerobonus branch of Aires, this particular figure is a USAF maintainer in Vietnam with equipment appropriate for the 1965–1973 time period. The casting has outstanding detail and fidelity, and it consists of three resin parts (main body, left and right arms). The figure is wearing the “campaign” hat with the edges folded up, a standard issue set of two-piece fatigues, and a holstered .45-caliber pistol and cartridge belt. He is in a standing position,… more |