Roger Rasor
Reviews By Author
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MiG-3 Seat with Safety BeltsPublished:
Trumpeter’s 1/32 scale MiG-3 kit is quite nice and needs only a few changes to improve it. Some kit reviews have pointed out that number one on the list is enhancing cockpit details, and the seat is the most conspicuous item noted. Quickboost has now addressed that issue by offering a two-piece resin replacement that includes a high level of detail and nicely molded safety belts (the photos below show the level of detail on the front and back of each part). The two-piece seat is designed to fit in place of the kit’s three-piece seat parts. In the comparison photo below, the Quickboost seat (on the right) exhibits superior detail and avoids the ejector pin repair issue found in the kit’s seat back (on the left). The parts are molded in Quickboost’s familiar gray resin on… more |
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Air National Guard Mustang DecalsPublished:
1/72 scale builders should be happy to hear that Iliad Design has reduced their 1/48 ANG Mustang decal sheet to 1/72 scale...and added one more option! ANG Mustangs are interesting subjects that, in my opinion, have not been covered very well by domestic decal companies. There are five subjects on the sheet provided in this set. These options provide builders a choice of National Guard Mustangs in a somewhat dulled natural metal finish with Olive Drab anti-glare panels, colorful unit emblems, and prominent code numbers and serials. The aircraft served in units in five Midwestern and Western states in the four years following WWII. Some may have gone on to serve in the Korean War. The five options are:
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F-84G Ejection Seat with Safety BeltsPublished:
Quickboost now offers aircraft builders a highly detailed 1/48 scale ejection seat that is intended to replace the one found in either the Tamiya or Revell F-84G kit. It is recommended as a replacement for the Tamiya seat, but it also can be used to replace the Revell kit seat with very little adjustment. As nice as the kit parts may be, this replacement provides a higher level of detail along with casually posed shoulder and lap belts molded in place. The details are very delicate and crisply molded. The parts that make up the seat are molded in Quickboost’s familiar gray resin on a reasonably small casting block. The quality of the molding is flawless, with no bubbles, pinholes, or flash to deal with. A sharp #11 X-Acto blade or razor saw blade is recommended for removing the… more |
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Windsock Datafile 159, AD Flying BoatsPublished:
Windsock Datafiles from Albatros Productions are considered by many to be the most comprehensive reference/historical publications available for those who build WW I scale aircraft models. Each volume focuses on a specific aircraft and can be counted on to provide a thorough study of the subject. The most recent volume, Windsock Datafile No. 159, details the history of the AD Flying Boats. The First World War saw the rapid development and use of aircraft that could land and take off from water. Small types quickly evolved into majestic flying boats, crewed by two or more, that were intended to serve in a variety of roles. Developed from successive designs over a two-year period, the 1917 Admiralty flying boat was one of several WWI designs by the talented… more |
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Hannover CL.II Part 2Published:
As with most kits, the Hannover CL.II’s instruction book focuses first on assembling the cockpits, and the assembly sequence, although involved, is very straightforward. But, before anything is assembled, the instructions guide the builder to paint the sidewalls and all of the various cockpit components according to the color callouts provided on pages 4 thru 7. Because there is much to be seen in the Hannover’s cockpits, painting the small details will require some time and patience. However, I personally found the experience to be both educational and enjoyable. In my opinion, building a first Wingnut Wings kit probably will prove to be a very different experience for model builders who are accustomed to assembling other mainstream plastic model kits. Looking inside a WNW kit box, a… more |
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Bf-109F (early) Seat with BeltsPublished:
Quickboost has added a highly detailed Bf-109F early-style seat with safety belts to their continually growing line of 1/32 scale detail parts. It is designed as a drop-in replacement for the seat parts included in the kit. This part adds considerably to the overall detail of the cockpit and solves a problem that the kit parts present. Hasegawa provides the seat in the kit in two parts – left and a right side that are joined in the middle of the seat pan and back, thus creating a vertical seam through the center of the entire seat that must be eliminated. (see the photo below of the two kit parts surrounding the aftermarket seat). The Hasegawa seat also has ejection pin protrusions on the inside walls of both pieces that will need to be dealt with before joining the pieces. Yes… more |
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Windsock Datafile 158, The UFAG C.1Published:
Windsock Datafiles from Albatros Productions rank high on the list of reference/historical publications by those who build WW I scale aircraft models. Each volume focuses on a specific aircraft and can be counted on to provide a thorough study of the subject. The most recent volume covers a subject that may not be well know to modelers who are not well versed on the subject of Axis aircraft that served in the “Great War.” Windsock Datafile No. 158 details the history of the Austro-Hungarian UFAG C.1…a two-seat aircraft that served in the dual rolls of aerial observation and ground attack. It was, in fact, one of the best of its kind in service during the final year of the war, and one that became popular with its aircrews. Author Paolo Varriale proves that he… more |
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Windsock Worldwide Vol. 29 No.2Published:
The March/April 2013 issue of Windsock Worldwide is the second issue of Volume 29, and the cover photo of a TVAL reproduction Sopwith Snipe foretells the main feature of this issue. The Snipe is the centerpiece, presented with an exclusive pictorial coverage that provides modelers with much, and supports subsequent product reviews of Wingnut Wings’ two new Sopwith Snipe kits. But, before getting to the Snipe, this issue is packed with a wealth of relevant news and other features. The first regular column; the READER’S GALLERY, presents photo coverage of four highly detailed models ranging from a static 1/72 scale model to a 1/6 scale flying model. Then, following a brief Front Line News column, there is a RARA AVIS covering a one-of-a-kind Swedish Friedrichshafen G.IIIA… more |
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A6M5 Zero Gun Barrels & PitotPublished:
Quickboost now offers model builders an aftermarket detail set that replaces the wing gun barrels and pitot tube found in Tamiya’s 1/72 A6M5 kit. The parts provide a higher level of detail and accuracy, and the gun barrels are molded with open ends. The parts are designed simply to drop-in, in place of the kit part, and provide better detail. The parts are molded in Quickboost’s familiar resin on a small casting block with protective bars on the ends. The quality of the molding is quite flawless, with no bubbles, pinholes, or flash to deal with. A sharp #11 X-Acto blade or razor saw blade is the only tool needed to remove the parts from the casting block, and a quick swipe with a sanding stick can dress up the cut, if necessary. Because they are resin, they must be anchored with… more |
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A6M5 Zero ExhaustPublished:
Quickboost now offers model builders an aftermarket detail set that replaces the exhaust pipes found in Tamiya’s great 1/72 A6M5 kit. As nice as the kit parts may be, these pipes provide greater detail than those in the kit because Quickboost has molded them with open ends. They are designed to simply drop in, in place of the kit parts. As the photo below shows, they match up with the kit parts exactly so adding them to the model should be a simple matter after they are removed from the casting block. The parts are molded in Quickboost’s familiar gray resin on a reasonably small casting block. The quality of the molding is flawless, with no bubbles, pinholes or flash to deal with. A sharp #11 x-Acto blade or razor saw blade is the recommended tool for removing the parts from… more |