Roger Rasor
Reviews By Author
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F4U-1 Corsair Pitot TubePublished:
Quickboost has now released a resin aftermarket part that will add detail to any 1/32 F4U-1 kit on the market. It is actually an enlargement of Quickboost’s set 48 357 for 1/48 Corsairs. This set provides three ready-to-install F4U-1 Corsair pitot tubes cast in a flexible resin that likely will survive occasional bumps sometime experienced when a finished model is handled. The pitot tubes are molded in Quickboost’s familiar gray resin on a casting block with extended bars that protect the parts from damage in the package. They exhibit a much better pointed tip than those included in most 1/32 kits. A sharp #11 x-Acto blade is the only tool needed to remove each pitot tube from the casting block and to shave off a thin casting gate that is molded on the side of the part to… more |
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F-86F Sabre Pitot TubePublished:
Quickboost has added a new resin item to their growing line of aftermarket parts for 1/32 aircraft. Set 32 112 will add detail to the Kinetic, Italeri or Hasegawa 1/32 F-86F kits. This set provides two ready-to-install pitot tubes cast in a flexible gray resin that likely will survive occasional bumps sometime experienced when a finished model is handled. As the photo below shows, the pitot tubes are molded on a common casting block with extended bars that protect the parts from damage in the package. These parts exhibit a much better detail than those included in the kits. A sharp #11 x-Acto blade can be used to remove each pitot tube from the casting block. This part is a direct replacement for a kit part, but there is no molding seam to remove as is usually the case with… more |
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Curtiss P-36A DecalsPublished:
Yellow Wings Decals has released two new decal sets that provide optional marking for Special Hobbies’ 1/32 scale Curtiss P-36A kit. Each of the decal sets is packaged in a typical zip-lock sleeve along with a comprehensive color 4-view instruction sheet with supplemental sheets that include application and placement instructions, and brief historical information. These sets exhibit the same high level of quality as all of the other decal sets currently available from Yellow Wings Decals. Set 32-016 provides markings for the 20th Pursuit Group commander’s P-36A, as it appeared in 1938-39 at Barksdale Field in Louisiana. All major markings: national insignias, 20th Pursuit Group Badges, group commander’s fuselage stripes and cowl colors bands, wing… more |
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French Aircraft 1939 - 1942Published:
If you have an interest in French military aircraft in service at the onset of WW II but have no reference books on the subject, this book is a must. If you have an interest in the subject and have reference books, you will probably want this book, too. This work covers France’s combat aircraft – fighters, bombers, reconnaissance and observation types – that were in service with the Armée de l’Air from 1939 until 1942. The FORWARD sets the stage and explains the purpose of the book by stating, “It is a general overview of the machines, either made in France or bought abroad and used by the Armée de l’Air between September 1939, when the Second World War started, and November 1942 when French military aviation which the Armistice convention had finally authorized to continue was… more |
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Ki-48 Sokei/Lily Photoetch Cockpit SetPublished:
Every once in a while something nice happens to you. This little photo-etch set is just the sort of thing I’m referring to. I’ve had the major parts of a Hasegawa Ki 48 Lily kit clipped off the sprues for some time in the hope that eventually I would locate enough reference material to guide me in adding cockpit detail when I continue with the build. The opportunity to review this new Platz photo-etch detail set for the Ki 48 was just what I needed to move me from a state of static inertia to critical mass. The kit box was located among the ‘in-progress’ stack, reopened, contents examined, the workbench was cleared and my Optivisor was back in place. From the information etched on the edge of the fret, it’s obvious that Platz subcontracted the ‘Dean’ of photo-etch manufacturers… more |
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Self-Adhesive PE Detail Set for Ki-27Published:
Eduard offers modelers a single fret photo etch detail set for the Special Hobby 1/32 Ki-27 kit. Set #32 864 provides parts for adding detail to the engine and the cockpit. The set includes a total of 42 pre-painted parts either to add something not in the kit, to replace some kit parts, and/or to enhance the ones that will be used. This set features Eduard’s self-adhesive backing to make installation easier. Beginning at the front end, each of the nine cylinders of the kit’s plastic engine receives a pair of ignition wires and individual cylinder lubricating lines. Moving to the cockpit, the kit’s plastic instrument panel is completely replaced with four very nicely detailed components that are sandwiched together to simulate the panel’s relief. Then, there are six pieces to… more |
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Albatros D.Va Decals - "Wooden Wonders"Published:
Wingnut Wings has released yet another decal set with multiple marking options for their Albatros D.Va kit. Oh…so many Albatros schemes…so little time! There are two sheets in this set. These decals, like all of the others from Wingnut Wings, are packaged in zip-lock sleeves along with a comprehensive full-color 4-page instruction booklet that includes application instructions, aircraft profiles, top and bottom wing plan views, historical information, and a number of period photos of each of the aircraft covered by the decal sheets. This set exhibits the same high level of quality as all of the other products marketed by Wingnut Wings. This set provides markings for five Albatros D.Va fighters that shared one thing in common…they all were finished with varnished natural… more |
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Express Mask for A5M2bPublished:
Eduard continues to provide model builders with an ever-growing list of convenient pre-cut paint masks. JX 112 is designed to make life easier for those building either of Special Hobby’s two A5M2 kits. Like other Eduard mask sets, this one is made of Kabuki tape (similar to Tamiya’s masking tape) and contains precut masks for the kit’s windscreen and wheels. The masks will adhere well to any flat or curved surface, so masking is a breeze and they and can easily be removed after paining is completed. A simple instruction sheet is included to guide the masking process. The masking material is not affected by any brand of hobby paints. Acrylics, Enamels and Lacquers can all be sprayed over them with no problem. Just be sure you press the edges uniformly to avoid any under spray… more |
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Bf 109GF-2/F-4 CockpitPublished:
Aires continues to add to its line of resin detail sets for 1/32 aircraft kits. One of the latest is a resin and P/E detail set for detailing the cockpit of Trumpeter’s new Bf109F kits. Aires’ product name, Bf109GF-2/F-4 indicates that some of the parts also can be used to detail the cockpit of a Trumpeter Bf109G. The detail in the resin components is crisp, delicate and busy enough to make the cockpit quite convincing. No clean up is required and, as usual, with Aires resin there are no pinholes to worry about. The resin is not brittle, but reasonable care should be exercised when removing the small parts from the casting block. A #11 blade or razor saw can be used to remove most parts, and a swipe with a sanding stick will work to smooth the cut edges. The set includes ten… more |
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Spitfire Mk.IX CockpitPublished:
As nice as the Tamiya 1/32 Spitfire Mk.IX kit is, Aires wants to make it better. They now offer a cockpit set that is intended to improve the detail in that portion of the kit. The detail is crisp, delicate and very well rendered. This set does not include a photo-etch fret. All parts are resin…typical Aires resin…gray and smooth. The parts come on either single or shared casting blocks and can be removed with a sharp #11 blade, sanding stick and/or razor saw blade. Although the resin has a degree of flexibility, care always should be exercised when removing the delicate small parts from the casting blocks as they are prone to break if handled with a heavy hand. There is a little thin flash on some parts (like the fuselage bulkheads and the oxygen hose) so a little clean up is required… more |