Roger Rasor
Reviews By Author
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A5M2 Claude interior S.A. Photoetch SetPublished:
Eduard offers two photo-etch detail sets for the Special Hobby 1/32 A5M2b kit. Zoom set #33 070 is the one to get if you just want to focus on enhancing the detail in the cockpit. The set includes a total of 42 pre-painted parts that replace some kit parts and/or add detail to ones that will be used. The kit’s plastic instrument panel is replaced with five very impressively detailed components that are sandwiched together to simulate the panel’s relief and then enhanced with brackets, machine gun supports and gun charging handles. Photo-etched rudder pedals are provided to replace the less-detailed ones in the kit and to detail the kit’s rudimentary rudder bar, pre-painted seat belts replace the un-painted ones in the kit, multi-part throttle quadrant and prop pitch levers replace kit… more |
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Aircraft of the Aces #99 - Aces of the Legion CondorPublished:
From 1936 to 1939, nearly 19,000 German ‘volunteers’ (some of whom actually did volunteer) made up an aviation group known as the Legion Condor. Number 99 in Osprey’s ‘Aircraft of the Aces’ series provides an interesting and well-researched story of how Germany’s involvement in the Spanish Civil war came about, what the Luftwaffe volunteers experienced as member of the Legion Condor and how many of the pilots eventually achieved ace status. It is a fascinating story about a significant time in history. Aces of the Legion Condor is a 112-page book worth including in any collection of reference books on the subject. Most people with even a passing interest in this eventful period of history have read that Germany exploited the… more |
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Spitfire Mk.IXc Gun BarrelsPublished:
While a lot of attention has been focuses on aftermarket offerings for Tamiya’s growing line of 1/32 Spitfire kits, Quickboost has release a set of resin gun barrels that are designed to replace those found in Hasegawa Spitfire kits. They are direct replacements for kit parts #CC3 and #CC16, and the detail is crisp and delicate. The castings, like all other Quickboost resin parts are blemish free and offer detail superior to that found in the kit parts. The gun barrels provide hollow ends, fine recessed details and delicate rivets. No clean up is required and there are no pinholes to worry about. They are easily removed from the casting block with a #11 blade and should be attached with super glue or epoxy cement. This Detail Set is highly recommended to anyone who wants to… more |
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Fw 190 A-3 RudderPublished:
Quickboost now catalogs a set of detail parts for Tamiya’s 1/72 Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-3 kit that will make it easy for modelers to place the rudder in an off-center position. Set QB 72 311 provides a casting block containing three separate (but identical) rudders. Detail is crisp, with recessed panel lines that match those found on the kit parts (because, it appears Quickboost actually removed that part from the Tamiya kit, added a V–shaped edge to fit against the fin and cast three of the rudders in resin). Since the rudders of most Fw 190s are nearly identical, these parts should be of use on a number of 1/72 Focke Wulf kits marketed by other companies. The parts are cast in the same soft gray resin material currently used by Quickboost to cast other parts. They can be removed… more |
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Fw 190A-3 StabilizerPublished:
Quickboost now offers a set of separate stabilizers and elevators for anyone wishing to build the 1/72 Tamiya Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-3 with dropped elevators. The parts are cast in the typical Quickboost medium gray resin that is both flexible and resilient. Detail is crisp, with recessed panel lines that are curiously close to those found on the kit parts. It looks like Quickboost started with the Tamiya kit parts, cut them apart and added a groove in the stabilizers so the elevators will fit properly in whatever position the modeler desires. There is a little flash is on each stabilizer that is intended to protect the cast parts from damage or deforming when being removed from the molds. This flash is easy to remove with a #11 blade after the parts are separated from the casting block.… more |
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Pfalz D.IIIa DecalsPublished:
Wingnut Wings has released two decal sheets that provide multiple marking options for their Pfalz D.IIIa kit. The decals, like 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. These sets exhibit a high level of quality, on par with all of the products marketed by Wingnut Wings. Set 30019 provides markings for six Pfalz D.IIIa fighters from numerous Jastas. Some of the subjects will require upper and under wing lozenge patterns (and rib tape) not included in this set, but is available from… more |
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F4U-1 Corsair Pitot TubePublished:
Quickboost once again has come up with an unexpected resin aftermarket part that will add detail to a kit that most of us have in our stash. QB 48 357 provides three ready to install F4U-1 Corsair pitot tubes cast in a flexible resin that likely will survive the occasional bumps sometime experienced when a finished model is handled. The pitot tubes are molded on a casting block with extended bars that protect the parts from damage in the package. They exhibit a much better pointed tip than the kit part. 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 protect the tip detail. This part is a direct replacement for the kit part and, because it is resin,… more |
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Albatros D.V and D.Va DecalsPublished:
Wingnut Wings is now offering decal sheets for markings that go far beyond those included in their growing line of WW I aircraft kits. The decals 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 period photos of each of the aircraft covered by the decal sheets. These sets exhibit the same high level of quality as do all of the kits marketed by Wingnut Wings. Set 30011 provides markings for five Albatros D.V fighters from Jasta 18. Some of them require upper and under wing lozenge patterns (and rib tape) that Wingnut Wings sells separately. The markings are for: A) Albatros D.V 2117/17 flown by Oliver… more |
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Adhesive Detail & Marking Film RedPublished:
Most model builders think of useful small hobby tools when they hear someone say TRITOOL. However, this TRITOOL item is a fundamental building material for use in scratch building, customizing or finishing models. It is a unique self-adhesive sheet of thin pre-finished foil (film) that is intended to replicate red finishes on aircraft or other models (other primary colors are available, such as white, black, yellow, orange, blue, etc.). The package contains one 90mm x 200mm sheet of material that has a red semi-gloss finish. It appears to be the correct color for reproducing a Japanese Hinomaru. How do you use it? First you cut a piece to size and shape with a fresh blade, then peel off the backing sheet and place the material on a clean surface (an unpainted area is supposed… more |
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La-7 ProfiPACKPublished:
The Lavochkin La-7 was in many ways a Lavochkin La-5, strengthened internally and modified externally to improve performance. It was introduced into operational testing in late 1944 and then served with numerous Soviet fighter units as they contributed to the push into Germany in 1945. The La-7 was considered by many to be one of the very best fighters built during WW II. It equipped the elite Guards fighter Air Regiments and Divisions and was the fighter flown by many Soviet aces who achieved that status by downing some of the Luftwaffe’s best late-war aircraft. These included Colonel Vasiliy A. Zaitsev, Ivan N. Kozhedob and Major Vladimir D. Lavrinyenkov. Eduard has released a new Profipack boxing of the 1/48 La-7 kit that they have offered previously in both regular and… more |