Roger Rasor
Reviews By Author
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Windsock Worldwide Vol.29, No.6Published:
The Nov/Dec 2013 issue of Windsock Worldwide (now branded ‘WINDSOCK World War Centenary’) is the last issue of Volume 29 and it’s pages continue the publication’s tradition of delivering some of the most interesting, accurate and unique information about WWI aviation to be found anywhere. As an example, this issue initiates a new mini-series titled 100 Great Warplanes, that promises to profile some of the lesser known and/or poorly chronicled WWI types. The first to be featured in an eleven-page article in this issue is the 1916 German two-seat Rumpler C.III. Eleven pages are devoted to this reconnaissance aircraft with a historical description, 27 period photographs (many previously unpublished), full 1/48 scale plans of all versions and an exclusive color profile of… more |
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Windsock Datafile 162, MACCHI M.7Published:
The name Macchi is often associated with flying boats and one of the reasons for that is the subject of Windsock Datafile No.162. The Macchi M.7 was one of the most successful biplane flying boat designs to come out of WWI and it enjoyed a phenomenally lengthy and active career from its introduction in 1918 well into the mid-1930s. Serving with other nations in the post-WWI years, examples of this speedy flying boat were also entered into Schneider Trophy races. Noted Italian aero historian and researcher Gregory Alegi presents the full story of this classic Italian Flying boat in this final Datafile for 2013. Both M.7 and M.7ter versions are fully described in DATAFILE No.162 with many references to its predecessor, the M.5. Author Alegi’s new monograph contains over 70 rare… more |
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RAF Late Type TurnbucklesPublished:
WWI aircraft model builders will be interested to know that GasPatch’s line of aftermarket detail parts also now includes cast metal turnbuckles for rigging late war and between-the-war RAF aircraft. As previously noted in IPMS/USA product reviews, the Gas Patch aftermarket details represent “…a significant and notable advance in the quality of aftermarket parts for WWI aircraft”. These turnbuckles certainly are further proof of that statement. As the photo above shows, the detailed components come well packaged in a carded blister pack with a foam insert to protect the parts. Assembly instructions (shown in one of the photos below) are printed on the inside of the folded card. A photo below from the Gas Patch website shows a close up of one of the turnbuckles to illustrate the… more |
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Fokker D.VII F - Part 1Published:
The AircraftWhat hasn’t been said or printed about the Fokker D.VII? The legendary fighter is widely considered to be the best German fighter aircraft to emerge from the Great War and it was certainly the most numerous type engaged in the conflict. Nearly 3,300 Fokker D.VIIs were built by three manufacturers, (Fokker, Albatros & OAW) in the summer and autumn of 1918, and many of them were the reason a number of German pilots achieved ‘Ace’ status in the last year of the war. From its introduction into service in May 1918, the Fokker D.VII quickly proved its vastly superior performance over most, if not all, existing Allied fighters. With a high rate of climb, higher service ceiling and outstanding handling characteristics, German pilots scored 565 victories… more |
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Metal Anchor Points/EyeletsPublished:
GasPatch’s growing line of aftermarket detail parts includes cast metal detail parts that will add considerable detail to rigged aircraft. This line includes a wide array of turnbuckles and anchor points (available in both 1/48 and 1/32 scale) for Allied and Axis WWI aircraft. As a previous review of the Gas Patch product line accurately states: “these items represent a significant and notable advance in the quality of aftermarket parts for WWI aircraft”. The subject of this review is Gas Patch’s set of 1/32 scale metal anchor points (a 1/48 scale version is also available…and identical…only smaller). As the photo above shows, the components come well packaged in a carded blister pack with a foam insert to protect the parts. Assembly instructions (shown in one of the photos… more |
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Hawker Hunter Ejection Seat w/Safety BeltsPublished:
Quickboost has added a well-detailed Hawker Hunter Martin Baker Mk.2H ejection seat to their growing line of detail parts. It is a replacement for the one found in the Academy (and Italeri) 1/48 scale kits and will greatly enhance the cockpit of a model built from either of those kits. It is reported that RAF Hunters were manufactured with either Mk.2H or Mk.3H seats (and some Hunters manufactured with Mk.3H seats were retrofitted with Mk.2H seats), so Quickboost has chosen to offer the MB Mk.2H. The Quickboost seat captures the look of the prototype very nicely with crisp and enhanced details and molded-in safety belts that will greatly improve the cockpit of any Hunter. Quickboost’s ejection seat is cast in their familiar gray resin and is made up of two pieces (the seat and… more |
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FAB-100 Soviet WWII BombsPublished:
Aires has come up with a remarkably accurate rendition of the WWII Soviet FAB-100 bomb, and now a pair of them in their new Aero Bonus detail part line. Aero Bonus set #480 058 provides six resin parts that make up into two of these little bombs. Unlike some of the other Aero Bonus bomb and rocket sets, this one does not include painting instructions or decals for markings. The photos below show the components and a finished product ready to paint. The parts are cast in typical Aires/Quickboost gray resin on a single block with molded upright extensions on the ends to protect the delicate parts. I used a #11 blade and a razor saw to remove the parts from the casting block and squared up everything carefully with a sanding stick. A simple line drawing is provided to guide… more |
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MiG 15 Ejection Seat w/Safety BeltsPublished:
Quickboost has released a highly detailed MiG 15 ejection seat to replace the ones found in the Trumpeter and Tamiya 1/48 scale kits. The seat may be easier to find than the Tamiya kit these days, but it is a welcome detail part for anyone with that kit. Anyone building the easier to come-by Trumpeter kit will likewise be pleased with the opportunity to considerably enhance the cockpit of that kit by adding this one detail. The Quickboost seat captures the look of the prototype very nicely with crisp (and more refined) details, and realistic molded-in safety belts that will add much to the cockpit of either kit. Quickboost’s ejection seat is cast in their familiar gray resin and is made up of two pieces (the seat and a separate headrest). Everything comes on a small casting… more |
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Windsock Worldwide Vol.29, No.5Published:
The Sept/Oct 2013 issue of Windsock Worldwide is the fifth issue of Volume 29 and it continues the publisher’s ongoing commitment to provide model builders with accurate and diverse information about WWI aviation. The cover image of a highly detailed Wingnut Wings DH9a also continues the publication’s practice of focusing on that manufacturer’s line of impressive 1/32scale kits. But, this issue presents a rich blend of modeling articles and reference material that extends far beyond the new kits offered by Wingnut Wings. Inside, the first regular column, the READER’S GALLERY, presents photo coverage of two outstanding Wingnut Wings models: a Junkers J.I and a Pfalz D.IIIa. Following a page of Frontline News, ‘Logbook Entries’ reviews four new titles. Then, Lance Krieg wraps up… more |
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Windsock Datafile No. 161 Caudron R.11Published:
When Windsock Datafile No. 161 arrived in the mail, I was reminded of that classic Monty Python lead-in line: “And, now for something completely different” because the subject of this Datafile is a somewhat little known WWI aviation escort fighter with a most unusual appearance. Although serving with some distinction, the fact that it was introduced into the conflict in limited numbers in the closing months of the war precluded a definitive assessment of the value of the Caudron R.11, and no doubt contributed to its place somewhere in the shadows of aviation history. The Caudron R.11 was an unusual aeronautical design to be sure, and one that, in hindsight, seems rather lanky for its intended role. Exhibiting a rather large fabric covered airframe, this twin-engined ‘fighter’… more |