Roger Rasor
Reviews By Author
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Spanish Republican AcesPublished:
The latest in Osprey’s Aircraft of the Aces series focuses on the Republican pilots who author Rafael A Permuy López believes achieved ace status during the Spanish Civil War. In this book the author draws upon the limited documentation available today to tell the story of those who he determined actually qualified to be ranked as an Ace during that conflict. Much was written about the Spanish Civil War and unfortunately a lot of it was myth. In spite of western journalists and reporters who were “embedded” with the Nationalists and the Republicans during the conflict, passion on both sides (remember For Whom the Bell Tolls?), along with a good dose of politics, affected the reporting of day-to-day events, and many well-known pilots were credited with more… more |
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Focke Wulf Fw-190 Decals, Part 2Published:
After reviewing Lifelike #72-021 for Messerschmitt Bf-109s, I opened this set and found it difficult to resist working on a Tamiya 1/72 Fw-190A-3 that I had started dry fitting a few months ago. Lifelike’s set #72-022, much like the Bf-109 set, offers a number of appealing decal options that beg almost immediate attention. Included on the two small sheets packaged in the zip-lock sleeve are markings for:
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Hawker Hunter Pitot TubePublished:
Master Model now has covered all the basses when it comes to turned aluminum pitot tubes for Hawker Hunter models by adding one for 1/32 scale kits (currently, that means Revell or Revell of Germany F.6 or FG.9 kits). In this larger scale, the addition of a more accurately proportioned metal pitot tube is almost a must if the builder is striving for accuracy. The photo below of the metal part compared to the injection molded kit part tells the story. Placing it next to the kit part clearly shows show how nicely the tapered Master Model metal looks by comparison. The Master Model pitot tube can be attached with super glue or epoxy cement. Then, a little filler may be needed to blend the hole in the wing’s leading edge after anchoring the smaller diameter metal tube. The thin… more |
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Model Art Modeling Magazine, #844, May 2012Published:
This is a monthly publication from Japan that covers all manner of modeling subjects, ranging from finished models to kit reviews and model building tips, and includes many advertisements. Finding it on the shelves of bookstore in the US is a bit of a challenge, but it can be found online at a number of sites. It is printed on glossy paper, measures 7 1/8” by 10 1/8”, and contains 172 pages. The photo quality (a mixture of full color and black and white) is excellent. Unfortunately, for those who don’t read Japanese, it serves as a great picture book, because (with the exception of some headings and subheadings) the text is entirely in Japanese. The May 2012 issue of Model Art contains a mix of modeling subjects. The main cover photo advertises the main feature article on the… more |
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Instrument Dial Decals for Early Soviet JetsPublished:
Airscale Model Aircraft Enhancements’s line of cockpit details now includes a 1/32 scale set of decals that provides an assortment of instrument dials found in early Soviet jets (MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-19, MiG-21, Su-7 and early Yaks). These decals are remarkably detailed and provide a quick solution to adding much to those blank circles that are molded on many kit instrument panels. The decals can be either placed behind the respective positions molded on clear kit instrument panel, over opaque molded instrument panels or placed inside the instrument openings found on some kits. Application of a decal setting solution is recommended by the manufacturer. Sixty-two individual dials are provided (2 each of 31 different ones) in this set for 1/32 scale models. The instructions packaged with… more |
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Air Modeller #41, April/May 2012Published:
As previous reviews have indicated, this bimonthly magazine continues to achieve its claim of “Showcasing the very best in scale aircraft modeling.” Actually, I think it might better be said that each issue “showcases the very best photography of scale aircraft models.” Whatever the claim, this publication provides eye candy for those in the hobby who can afford the price of admission. At $14.95 a copy, it should be a cut above the rest of the crowd…and, by most measures, it is. The photography is nothing short of spectacular, the layout is professionally handled, and, in contrast to previous issues, #41 is printed on a slightly thinner, glossy paper that greatly enhances the sharpness of the 185 photos used to illustrate the six model building features (and the remainder of photos… more |
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Hawker Hunter Pitot TubePublished:
Model-Master’s line of aftermarket detail parts now includes a 1/48 scale turned brass pitot tube designed to enhance any 1/48 Hawker Hunter (currently, that means an Academy or recently released Italeri kit). It is one of those small items that will dramatically improve the appearance of the finished model, something that becomes quite obvious when the metal part is compared to the injection molded kit part. Placing it next to the kit part clearly illustrates how much the injection molded plastic part is bulked up for manufacturing…resulting in something that is thicker than it should be. The photo below of the nicely tapered Master-Model metal part next to the kit part on the sprue demonstrates how much thicker (and shorter) the kit part really is. The Master-Model pitot tube… more |
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Spitfire Mk. IX Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has released a set of white metal replacement landing gear parts for Pacific Coast Models’ 1/32 Spitfire Mk. IX kit. This set is a direct replacement for the kit’s parts with some minor improvements to details. The main gear legs are exact copies of the kit parts with the same mounting lug cast in place. However, Dr. Billy Crisler collaborated with SAC to provide a corrected tail wheel and separate tail wheel strut to improve the detail in that area. Scale Aircraft Conversions’ replacement landing gear sets are designed as drop-in replacements for kit parts so they can be installed during construction or added after the kit’s plastic parts begin to bow under the weight of a 1/32 scale model. There seems to be a little more flash to clean away,… more |
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Hawker Hunter Pitot TubePublished:
Model-Master has added a number of turned brass pitot tubes to their line of metal detailing parts for kits ranging from 1/32 to 1/72. This one is designed to enhance any 1/72 Hawker Hunter. It is amazing to see how much something as small as this will improve the appearance of a 1/72 scale model. How small is it? It’s so small that it is almost lost in the package it comes in (so a little extra care is recommended when removing it from the package and while handling it). Comparing it to the kit part clearly illustrates how much an injection molded plastic part may have to be bulked up for manufacturing…resulting in something that is far thicker than it should be. The photo below of the Master-Model tapered metal part next to the kit part on the sprue shows how much out of… more |
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SB2U Vindicator ExhaustPublished:
Quickboost has added an aftermarket detail set that seems to me to be a questionable choice on their part. It is a set of resin exhaust ports for the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 SB2U Vindicator kits. As can be seen in the photos below, the Quickboost parts (pictured between the kit parts on the sprue) are virtual duplicates of the kit parts with only a small improvement in the sidewall thickness…Something that most model builders of average skills should be able to duplicate by using a number 11 Xacto blade or a pin vice with a suitable drill bit to increase the opening in the kit parts. The Quickboost parts are nicely cast and can be separated easily from the casting block and attached with super glue if the modeler chooses. However, unless I’ve missed the point completely, I believe it… more |