Roger Rasor
Reviews By Author
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Mk. IX One-Piece Flat Upper CowlPublished:
Among the items recently added to Ultracast’s line of highly detailed resin detail parts are upper cowls that replace those in Eduard’s numerous Spitfire Mk.IX kits. This set (#48264) provides a ready to install one-piece Flat upper cowl (found on the early Mk.IXs) that replaces the kit parts. Note that I say parts because the kit upper cowl comes in two pieces that must be glued together…creating a seam that must then be rubbed out. The Eduard kits are recognized for accuracy and detail and they can be built into excellent replicas of the aircraft, but the two-piece cowl creates extra work for the modeler and creates the likelihood that some molded-in surface detail might be lost in the process. The Ultracast part avoids all of that and speeds the build considerably. This ‘time saver… more |
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Spitfire Mk. IX One-Piece Bulged Upper CowlPublished:
Among the items recently added to Ultracast’s line of highly detailed resin detail parts are upper cowls that replace those in Eduard’s numerous Spitfire Mk.IX kits. This set (#48265) provides a ready to install one-piece Bulged upper cowl cowl (found on later Mk.IXs) that replaces the kit parts. Note that I say parts because the kit upper cowl comes in two pieces that must be glued together…creating a seam that must then be rubbed out. The Eduard kits are recognized for accuracy and detail and they can be built into excellent replicas of the aircraft, but the two-piece cowl creates extra work for the modeler and creates the likelihood that some molded-in surface detail might be lost in the process. The Ultracast part avoids all of that and speeds the build considerably. This ‘time… more |
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Spitfire Mk. IX Flared ExhaustsPublished:
Ultracast has added a series of highly detailed resin detail parts for the Eduard Spitfire Mk. IX kit. This set (#48262) provides a pair of flared exhaust stacks that replace the kit parts. The Eduard kits are recognized for accuracy and detail but the kit exhausts unfortunately are designed in such a way that they must be installed at an early stage in the assembly process. Doing so makes it difficult to paint the exhausts and surrounding areas without a considerable amount of masking later in the build. Ultracast’s set includes a pair of backing plates that are installed instead of the kit exhausts at that point in the construction of the fuselage and provide a foundation for the resin exhausts that can be installed after the model is assembled and the fuselage is painted.… more |
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Fokker D.VII Part 4Published:
Lifelike Decals continues to release aftermarket sets of decals for 1/32 scale Fokker D.VIIs. Each set provides full national insignia and personal markings for four colorful aircraft. The latest two sets were released at the same time and offer marking options for aircraft built by various manufacturers. Set number 32019, Fokker D.VII Part 4, includes markings for the following aircraft:
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Fokker D.VII Part 3Published:
Lifelike Decals continues to release aftermarket sets of decals for 1/32 scale Fokker D.VIIs. Each set provides national insignia and personal markings for four colorful aircraft. The latest two sets were released at the same time a few months ago and offer marking options for aircraft built by various manufacturers. Set number 32-018, Fokker D.VII Part 3, includes markings for the following aircraft:
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Reconnaissance and Bomber Aces of World War 1Published:
I don’t know about you, but I had never considered using the word “Aces” in a discussion of WWI Reconnaissance aircraft…or WWI bombers either for that matter. Then, I had the opportunity to read Osprey’s Aircraft of the Aces – 123, and learn much about WWI airmen other than fighter pilots who earned that title while flying in what many would consider slow and rather awkward aircraft. According to the book’s appendices, at least 134 reconnaissance and bomber pilots managed to do exactly that. And, their story is a compelling one that is long overdue. Often overshadowed by the stories of the fighter pilots who either protected or threatened them, aircrews of two-seater reconnaissance aircraft went about their job of performing the oldest and most strategically vital aerial task… more |
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P-40E Warhawk ExhaustPublished:
Quickboost has added a highly detailed set of P-40E Warhawk exhaust pipes to their aftermarket parts line that can be used to replace the two-part ones found in Hasegawa’s 1:32 scale kits (Note that the pipes are correct for the early P-40Es [and Ds] that had the circular shaped pipes). The twelve one-piece Quickboost pipes provided in this set allow model builders to avoid the repetitious assembly of the kit’s 24 parts, thereby making the whole process of installing exhaust pipes a bit easier and faster (see the comparison photo below of the Quickboost parts and the kit parts that had been pre-painted on the sprues). In addition to the convenience they offer, the Quickboost pipes will add a little higher level of detail. They capture the look of the prototype very nicely with crisp (… more |
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Spotlight on Albatros Fighter Aircraft of WWIPublished:
The first book in Mushroom Model Publications new “Spotlight On” series presents an array of beautiful color profiles of Germany’s famous WWI Albatros fighter family…from the D.I through the D.Va.For the most part, the 41 pages that form the bulk of the book display what may best be described as a one-man gallery of very detailed illustrations depicting very realistically the variety of camouflages and personal markings that adorned many of these elegant aircraft. Author Dave Douglass is first and foremost an artist. His comments in the first-page introduction are a personal message describing himself, his vocation, hobbies and passion for WWI aircraft. The following pages confirm that. The artwork is precisely rendered with attention to the specific details of each subject and… more |
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Douglas C-47 Skytrain ExhaustPublished:
Quickboost has added a set of detailed exhaust pipes to their aftermarket parts line that are to be used to replace the ones found in the new Airfix 1:72 scale C-47 Skytrain kit. The Quickboost exhausts feature a little better detail than those that come in the kit and open ends for a greater level of realism. Their size and shape exactly match the kit parts so they are designed to be quick drop-in replacements with no surgery. See the photo below comparing them to the kit parts. Like other Quickboost parts, these are cast in a reasonably flexible gray resin that is easy to work with. The pair of exhausts come on a small casting block and can easily be separated from the block with a razor saw or xacto blade. There is no flash so cleanup is simply a matter of using a fine grit… more |
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Douglas C-47 Skytrain Air IntakesPublished:
Quickboost has added a number of aftermarket detail sets for the new Airfix 1:72 scale C-47 Skytrain kit. This set provides a pair of air intakes that can be used as drop-in replacements for the ones found in the kit. The Quickboost parts feature crisp detail that is similar to that of the kit parts but they simplify the installation of the intakes because they are one-piece parts instead of the kit’s two-piece intakes that require assembly before they are installed. See the photo below that compares them to the kit parts. Like other Quickboost parts, these intakes are cast in a reasonably non-brittle gray resin that resists breakage and is easy to work with. The pair come on a single casting block and can easily be separated from the block with a razor saw or xacto blade.… more |