Rod Lees
Reviews By Author
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Alpha Jet Landing GearPublished:
I’d like to express my ongoing appreciation to Ross at SAC for continuing to provide us with review items; I know that everyone at IPMS/USA sincerely appreciates your contributions. This is another in a series of “drop fit and direct replacement” metal gear for your models. In this case, the set is for the Kinetic-series of Alpha jets in 1/48. In my case, it is being used on my “Wingman” German aftermarket release of the kit, and as such, the weight of the resin cockpit, seats, and more make use of metal gear almost mandatory if you don’t want the “failed plastic gear” effect on your model. As an aside, the Wingman release is fantastic too, but that’s not the point of the review. As you can see by the pictures, 11 parts are provided for this set, totally replacing the… more |
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Metal Landing Gear for Kitty Hawk Mig 25Published:
The usual comments of appreciation to Ross at SAC for continuing to provide us review items; we at IPMS USA sincerely appreciate your contributions! Unlike other landing gear on kits, Kittyhawk have provided a sturdy but complex design to emulate the actual landing gear on the Mig 25. If you have ever worked on or around Russian gear, you know that it is built like a tank, but sometimes can be a bit complicated. The Mig 23 comes to mind, but surprisingly the Mig 25 main gear is ALSO a complex assembly. As you can see by the pictures, a grand total of 11 parts are used for each main gear, including the metal rod. Now, you CAN use all this, and in the end have a sturdy gear (See side by side of kit gear unassembled plus assembled). Or you can make your life a bit easier… more |
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CF-18A Hornet “Canada Special Marking 2012”Published:
Thanks very much to our fantastic supporters at Hasegawa USA for providing IPMS USA yet another of their fine kits for review… we appreciate the opportunity to showcase some of the best models out there! This is yet another re-release of Hasegawa’s first range mid-1980’s F-18 models. The molds have well-endured the test of time, and no flash is present on this kit. Engraved panels, simplified construction, and an absolutely cool decal sheet await… Starting with the cockpit, decals are used for the instrument and side-console details. A two-piece ejection seat is provided, and use of the provided aircrew figure is recommended to avoid having to make a harness. A basic control stick rounds out the interior, and no problems will be experienced in construction here. … more |
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Boeing 707, C-135 Landing GearPublished:
Again, thanks very much to Ross at SAC for doing the hard work for us on this gear. We at IPMS USA sincerely appreciate your contributions for review! This is a simple drop fit for the Heller 707 or E-3 models. If you want to build the AMT/Heller/Italeri KC-135A/R with SAC gear, they provide that as item 72001. The packaging says 72072 can be used on a KC 135 as well. I did not hold them up to each other, but I’m certain they could be used for either kit. You’ll have to modify the nose gear for the KC-135, as that gear is different than the E-3 or 707; and the actuator arm for the KC-135 is longer on those kits. Historical note once again: The KC-135 came first, not the 707. The KC is based on the “Dash 80” airframe, and is different than on the 707 or E-3, which is a… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf 109 Landing Gear (Rev.)Published:
Thanks very much to Ross at SAC for doing the hard work for us on this gear. We at IPMS USA sincerely appreciate your contributions for review! If you have not built the new (2013) release of the BF-109G, may I recommend you try one. The detail is great, fit as well, and the engineering shows much concern for the modeler. This is not the original 1967-vintage model many of us remember. One weak area of the kit is the landing gear; Revell DE’s plastic is a bit softer than other companies, and this contributes to the lower cost but also means things like landing gear can bow or break over time. In the case of this model, the gear is also made up of three main parts, cemented together. It makes the fidelity to life that much better, but at the same time can contribute to… more |
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F-104G Avionics BayPublished:
True Details has created a 1/32 scale resin F-104G Avionics Bay that is designed to be a simple addition to Hasegawa’s kit. Simply clean up the casting block, paint and install. The detail is well defined, and will add just what is needed to this model. I have not checked to see if this set would work on the new Italeri F-104G/S, but in my opinion it probably would, however, you’ll want to check the fit yourself if you have one. In the end, very nicely done, and a full score for True Details. Thanks very much to our great supporters at Squadron for providing us yet another simple resin upgrade for our AMS (Advanced Modeler Syndrome). IPMS/USA appreciates the opportunity to review your products! |
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F-35A Lightning IIPublished:
Academy’s models have a great reputation these days. This 1/72nd scale F-35A is the most recent addition to the stable of excellence. This kit is a gem from the excellent packaging to the multi-color parts, which actually make it easier to build (as explained below). The decals are great, the plastic superb and crisp, and the appearance of the finished model is stunning. This is a lot of accolades, but they are accurate. In my opinion, this is the definitive new F-35 kit. A note on the color plastic parts: a lot of thought went into which color each part was molded in. For example, the white plastic is very opaque and used to excellent effect. Of particular note are the intake sections, the weapons bay, all three wheel wells, and the landing gear parts. The white needs… more |
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Speed Brakes, Gun Bays, Gun Barrels and Antennas for Jaguar 1Published:
Items Reviewed
These upgrades ramp-up the level of detail for the Kittyhawk Jaguar 1. Quickboost is a subdivision of Aires, so it’s the same manufacturer with the idea of simple, lower cost additions to upgrade things… more |
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Harrier FRS 1 Exhaust NozzlesPublished:
We continue to express sincere appreciation to our friends at Aires for providing us more of the prolific output of their company; In this case, Harrier FRS-1 nozzles. Nothing really to state about this upgrade other than “Buy it”. If you have a 1/72 Harrier of the FRS-1 Sea Harrier series, these are “must have” items. I show these items next to the kit items for clarity. Great external detail, and NO SEAM TO FILL! A drop-fit incorporation of the first order, 10 of 10, well done to Aires and thanks again to IPMS for the review items! |
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Weber F-101 Ejection Seat SetPublished:
Another beautifully cast set of resin parts to make our models better from our friends at MMD/Squadron; thanks very much to you for providing IPMS USA this review item! Another of Monogram’s better kits, the F-101B has been re-released in several different guises. Most recently it was released with a new decal sheet and markings, but it’s still the standby F-101B. As stated before, these seats really make a bid difference between the standard model seats with their molded-on harness. Although the kit seats were more than adequate, this set from True Details takes the illusion of reality a step further. Cast in Gray resin, the seats have fantastic harness detail (I much prefer these to Photoetch; they just look better to me) and the rest of the seat is also upgraded.… more |