Scott retired from the commercial nuclear industry with over thirty years of experience in Maintenance, Engineering, and Training. Prior to that he served on two aircraft carriers during his time in the U.S. Navy. He has been building models for over 50 years with his first kit being purchased with money from his grandparents for his sixth birthday. With a stash that consists of more aircraft than anything else, Scott still enjoys building a little bit of everything (including but not limited to tanks, cars, show cars, military vehicles (aside from tanks), ships, figures, real space, and some science fiction), which keeps his stash growing. Scott and his wife Fern reside in southwest lower Michigan, not far from South Bend, Indiana, and have three adult children and currently three grandchildren as well as a small dog and a large cat.
Scott Hollingshead
Reviews By Author
|
AH-64 Apache WipersPublished:
Fresh from the Review Corps gathering at the 2025 IPMS-USA Nationals comes this 1/72 scale wiper blade set for the AH-64 Apache from the folks at Quickboost. The wipers are intended for use with the Academy kit and will replace parts A6 and B51. For this review, I used my Hasegawa kit (product E6, AH-64 Apache Longbow) to show that they can also be used to upgrade a kit without wipers included. These parts are highly recommended for improving the detail on your 1/72 scale AH-64 Apache. Quickboost has been around for several years producing detail parts and replacement parts for various models. While researching the set for this review, it appeared that at the time of my writing, this set was yet to be released. The price provided is my best guess based on similar products from… more |
|
Dornier Do-335 Wheel Bay PlugsPublished:
Fresh from the Review Corps gathering at the 2025 IPMS-USA Nationals comes this wheel bay plug set from O-Mask for the Tamiya 1/48 scale Dornier Do-335. I have been using foam earplugs trimmed to size as needed for several years when masking openings during painting, but these precision-cut plugs can simply be used with no additional work required. I highly recommend this set of plugs to any modeler that airbrushes or sprays their models and is building a Do-335. According to information provided by O-Mask, these laser-cut foam plugs are designed to cover wheel wells, air brake bays, intakes, exhausts, cowlings, or other areas of your model. Made of soft, colored foam, these plugs are relatively chemical-resistant and therefore, reusable. Made to fit a specific aircraft… more |
|
USN Barracuda-class SubmarinePublished:
One of the latest items provided to the IPMS-USA Review Corps by OKB Grigorov was this 1/350-scale submarine representing the Barracuda-class of submarines developed after WWII. The boat is 3D printed and is under the Trimotium Historic Miniatures name within the OKB Grigorov company that comes from Bulgaria. The kit contains a total of ten pieces and should not present too much challenge to any modeler familiar with working with either resin or 3D printed kits. The kit itself is packaged in a sturdy cardboard box that is lined with a piece of bubble wrap to protect everything from damage. The hull was wrapped in a small paper bag perfect for the job, and submarine parts 2 through 8 are contained in a small, plastic, sealable bag, while the stand is the only part packed loosely… more |
|
Hitler’s Miracle Weapons, Secret Nuclear Weapons of the Third Reich and Their Carrier Systems Volume 1: The Luftwaffe and KriegsmarinePublished:
"Hitler’s Miracle Weapons: Secret Nuclear Weapons of the Third Reich and Their Carrier Systems, Volume 1: The Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine" is a meticulously researched exploration into one of history’s most intriguing and chilling periods. Authored by historian Friedrich Georg, this volume delves deeply into the development and deployment of secret nuclear weapons by Nazi Germany during World War II. First published in 2003, this review copy was released as a new edition in December 2024. The book provides an exhaustive examination of the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine’s involvement in the Third Reich’s nuclear ambitions, presenting a wealth of previously unpublished documents, photographs, and firsthand accounts. Color illustrations of aircraft, weapons, submarines, and an atomic… more |
|
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning IIPublished:
OverviewFollowing their release of the F-35A in 2022 and the F-35B in 2023, Tamiya has completed the trident of 1/48 scale Lightning II model kits with their release of the F-35C late last year. I found the engineering of this kit to be phenomenal with all parts fitting just as one would want. The 78 steps for the construction are spread across the 34-page instruction manual, and steps typically contain no more than six individual parts, which keep the building process simplified. While the number of parts and number of decals required more time than some builds, the joy of the construction always made the time pass quickly. I would highly recommend this kit to any modeler with some experience looking to add the US Navy variant of the Lightning II to their collection. … more |
|
Fokker Dr.1 Instrument PanelPublished:
Yahu has been producing photoetched instrument panels for models in Poland since 2013, for those who may not be familiar with the company. One of their latest releases is this 1/32 scale instrument set for the Fokker Dr.1 triplane from Meng. While the Dr.1 did not have a panel of instruments, there were individual instruments mounted within and outside the cockpit. Modelers with some experience with photoetched parts should have no issues using this set with their triplane. Packaged in a small plastic bag, this set contains a single fret with six instrument faces along with separate bezels, two aircraft placards, and a face plate for the propeller. As this set is intended for the Meng kit, the instruments have been numbered to match the decals provided by Meng.The placards,… more |
|
Fw-189C/V-6Published:
Recently released by the folks at ICM is the Focke-Wolf Fw-189C/V-6 in 1/72 scale. The kit received my attention due to the unique shape of the cockpit as well as the resemblance to the American P-38. The kit builds with relative ease, but I would recommend it to modelers with experience in dealing with smaller parts. The real aircraft came from the experience gained by the Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War as a needed attack aircraft. Powered by two Argus As410A-1 engines, each providing 465 hp, the plane had a service ceiling of 6800km (4225 feet) and a maximum speed of 368 km/h (228 mph). The plane carried two 20mm cannons and up to six 7.92mm machine guns as well as up to four bombs. While the plane tested well in 1940, the Henschel Hs-129A would be selected for… more |
|
ATZ-5-43203 Fuel Bowser of the Armed Forces of UkrainePublished:
Released in the last quarter of 2023, ICM has added new decals to their 1/72 scale fuel bowser that is currently being used by the armed forces of Ukraine. The kit builds up easily for the most part but is recommended for modelers with some experience adding small parts. The provided decals make easy work of adding a modern digital camouflage pattern to your vehicle, which certainly made the build more enjoyable for this review. The vehicle itself is tied to the Ural-4320 trucks produced in the late 1970’s and have been used in roles from transporting troops and cargo to towing as well as carrying fuel. More recent uses include mobile communication stations, mobile radar, and rocket launchers, to name a few. The 6x6 design allows the vehicles to operate cross-country if needed,… more |
|
Pigs, Missiles and the CIA; Volume 2: Kennedy, Khrushchev, Castro and the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962Published:
In a follow-up to the Bay of Pigs' attempt to oust Fidel Castro from power in Cuba came the events leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. This 37th book in the Helion & Company Latin America at War series provides daily insights into the identification, escalation, and resolution that took place from January 1961 through December 1962. The author, Linda Rios Bromley, takes the reader into meeting rooms, briefings, and events that took place during one of the most critical events of the post-WW2 world during the 20th century. For this review, I was provided with the paperback edition of this book, but it is also available in a digital format for those who prefer reading books on electronic devices. The book consists of nine sections titled "… more |
|
Helmet and Dress Sewing MarkingsPublished:
For aircraft modelers of the 1/48 scale Tomcat, the folks at HADMODELS have recently released decals for the often-overlooked helmet and flight suit markings worn by the pilots and RIOs (Radar Intercept Officers) of the F-14. The set that I reviewed include helmet markings and patches for VF-2 (Bounty Hunters), VF-31 (Tomcatters), VF-101 (Grim Reapers), as well as the IRIAF (who still fly the F-14). The decals are produced by Cartograph, so they will not present a challenge to most modelers. The decal sheet itself provides markings for two helmets for each squadron and the VF-101 marking can be used on up to four helmets. There are also the famous F-14 triangular and circular sleeve patches for each of the squadrons, name patches, shoulder rank patches, additional circular… more |