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
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Modern Carrier USN Paint SetPublished:
In case you were not aware, last year Squadron joined up with Scale Colors to release a line of paints that include sets as well as individual colors. These paints are acrylic and are best thinned with a 50–50 mix of water (I prefer distilled water) and isopropyl alcohol or using the Squadron Scale Colors Thinner (product SCW001). This set is designed for use with an airbrush, and I would highly recommend it. Set DetailsThis set is for use with “modern” aircraft carrier models which includes the Midway-class, Forrestal-class, Kitty Hawk-class, Enterprise, Nimitz-class, and Gerald R. Ford-class. I first found Jeff Herne with his Scale Colors paints at an IPMS-USA Nationals event a few years ago and decided to try out his modern US Navy paints at that time, and I really… more |
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Kriegsfischkutter WWII German Patrol and Minesweeper ShipPublished:
While you may not have heard of Special Navy before, they are in fact under the Special Hobby umbrella and offer naval vessels in 1/72 scale. This kit was a recent release when it was provided to the Review Corps at the IPMS-USA Nationals this past summer. While not for beginners (the kit contains nearly 500 parts), a modeler with some experience can produce a very nice looking Kriegsfischkutter with this kit. HistoryBeginning in 1941, the German Navy (Kriegsmarine) began developing fishing trawlers for various uses in the coastal waters near their occupied lands. Of the 1000 boats ordered, 612 were delivered and of these, 544 saw combat and 135 were lost in combat. These boats were manufactured by different companies in Germany as well as by Sweden and could be… more |
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H-16 TransporterPublished:
If you are looking to relive the past with your modeling, one of the recent releases from Atlantis Models is the H-16 Transporter that was first released in 1955. Containing a mere 59 parts and measuring 9–3/4 inches when assembled (helicopter body length excluding rotor blades), the kit can take you back to a simpler time in the world of modeling. Just like the original release, the parts are molded in silver plastic along with a clear plastic nose canopy, observation blister, and left and right windows (placed behind the cockpit). This new kit includes a collectible trading card showing the box art as well as a stand that can be positioned. Built out-of-the-box, this kit can be fun for beginners as well as those experienced modelers looking to experience building the kit they may… more |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |