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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Static Dischargers for F-16 Fighting FalconPublished:
For modern aircraft modelers looking to add even more detail to their next 1/72 scale F-16, Master Model has introduced static dischargers that can be installed on the wings and tail, just like the real plane. Modelers often overlook the static dischargers, but these brass items, which are finely machined, will make installation an easy task for most modelers. The directions have you simply scribe a shallow socket to receive the new part, and I would recommend your favorite cyanoacrylate glue to attach the parts. Static dischargers, or wicks, are used on aircraft to relieve the static buildup that typically takes place when flying through rain, snow, ice, or dust. The high resistance of the discharger provides a relief path that does not interfere with onboard communications or… more |
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Yardarms Set No 1Published:
For ship modelers looking to improve the look of their ship masts, or specifically their yardarms, Master Model has come to the rescue. Their Yardarm Set Number 1 contains a dozen replacement yardarms in lengths of 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, and 17.5 mm (two of each size is included). The already small brass items are finely tapered out to the ends, just like the real thing. If replacing plastic yardarms on a kit, the comparison photograph shows what a difference these can make. My hits are that once again, the folks at Master Model have released some very finely detailed replacement parts, in this case for the 1/700 scale ship modeler. The fine taper are clearly visible, and will make a nice upgrade for a reasonable price. I have no valid miss for this release itself. The… more |
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Static Dischargers for F-16 Fighting FalconPublished:
For modern aircraft modelers looking to add even more detail to their next 1/48 scale F-16, Master Model has introduced static dischargers that can be installed on the wings and tail, just like the real plane. Modelers often overlook the static dischargers, but these brass items, which are finely machined, will make installation an easy task for most modelers. The directions have you simply scribe a shallow socket to receive the new part, and I would recommend your favorite cyanoacrylate glue to attach the parts. Static dischargers, or wicks, are used on aircraft to relieve the static buildup that typically takes place when flying through rain, snow, ice, or dust. The high resistance of the discharger provides a relief path that does not interfere with onboard communications or… more |
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Yardarms Set No 2Published:
For ship modelers looking to improve the look of their ship masts, or specifically their yardarms, Master Model has come to the rescue. Their Yardarm Set Number 2 contains half a dozen replacement yardarms in lengths of 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, and 32.5 mm (one of each size is included). The already small brass items are finely tapered out to the ends, just like the real thing. If replacing plastic yardarms on a kit, the comparison photograph shows what a difference these can make, although it is comparing the 5mm yardarms available in set one. My hits are that once again, the folks at Master Model have released some very finely detailed replacement parts, in this case for the 1/700 scale ship modeler. The fine taper are clearly visible, and will make a nice upgrade for a… more |
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AIM-4GPublished:
With development beginning in 1958, the Hughes AIM-G Super Falcon was created as a follow-up to the early Falcon missiles, but with a larger rocket motor, bigger warhead, and improved guidance. The AIM-4G, or GAR-4A, was the final version of the improved missile, and around 2700 of these missiles were built with the first of them entering service in 1960, and remaining in use until 1988. The missile was 81.1 inches long, had a 24-inch wingspan, and weighed 145 pounds. Travelling at Mach 4 on its solid fuel Thiokol M46 dual-thrust rocket, the missile had a range of seven miles to deliver the 29-pound warhead. This Eduard Brassin set consists of four missiles that are beautifully cast in gray resin along with a single photoetch fret that holds the rings that represent the exhaust… more |
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AIM-4DPublished:
With development beginning in 1946, the Hughes AIM-4 Falcon, or more precisely, a version of a missile that would become the Falcon, was first launched for testing in 1949, and would become the first operational air-to-air missile of the U.S. Air Force. The AIM-4D, or GAR-2B, was the final version of the original missile, and around 4000 of these missiles were built with the first of them entering service in 1963. The missile had a less than spectacular combat record in Vietnam claiming five aircraft (four MiG-17’s and a single MiG-21) for 54 missiles launched, and by 1973, the AIM-4D was no longer operational. The missile was 79.5 inches long, had a 20-inch wingspan, and weighed 135 pounds. Travelling at Mach 3 on its solid fuel Thiokol M58 rocket, the missile had a range of six miles… more |
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Rest on MotorcyclePublished:
As the late Yogi Bera said, “it’s like déjà vu all over again.” In case you read my previous review on the MiniArt Harley Davidson WLA (kit 35080), some of this may look familiar as the kit includes the same motorcycle, but with a relaxed soldier onboard. The motorcycle and rider are both rendered well in this kit, which will add a unique model for those interested in a World War II motorcycle with a distinctive figure. Although I would recommend the motorcycle to more experienced builders, the kit is very nice overall once constructed, and will look great in any collection. Developed in 1940 by Harley-Davidson, the WLA model motorcycle was designed for use by the Army, and by the end of the war, over 90,000 bikes were produced. With its 3 3/8 gallon gas tank, the bike could… more |
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Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning IIPublished:
This kit was my first experience with a product from Orange Model, and to my knowledge, this was the first kit that they introduced, at least it was the first one that I noticed. This was actually a fun kit to build, as the engineering was on par with some of the manufacturers known for kits that are nearly flawless to assemble. The plane itself built up with very few issues, the tow tractor that was included provided some challenges with the small parts, and photoetched items, and the photoetch tie downs require the most experience to complete. If you are interested in adding a 1/72 scale copy of the US Navy’s newest jet to your collection, this is currently the only one available, and it is a great kit. As I had the privilege of reviewing the F-35C in 1/48 scale produced by… more |
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AIM-9J SidewinderPublished:
Developed as another Sidewinder for the U.S. Air Force, the AIM-9J was the follow-up to their E-model, and was based on the U.S. Navy AIM-9B. The AIM-9J first saw service in the skies over Vietnam in July 1972 during Operation Linebacker. It introduced the use of some solid-state components, and being equipped with a longer burning motor, the AIM-9J could remain in flight for 40 seconds. Hercules/Aerojet produced 6700 of the missiles, both new, and from re-purposed AIM-9B missiles. The AIM-9J measured 10 feet in length, 22 inches across the rear fins, had a diameter of 5 inches, and weighed in at 170 pounds. The AIM-9J was considered the first missile capable of use in a dogfight as it could be launched at up to 7.5g. This missile is credited with aerial victories over one MiG-21, and… more |
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German Motorcycle and SidecarPublished:
Adding to their line of detail parts for military models, Hauler has recently released a resin and photo-etched parts set for the Tamiya 1/48 scale German Motorcycle & Sidecar (Tamiya kit 32578). The set is comprised of seven resin and seventy photo-etched items. I would highly recommend the small photo-etched parts for experienced modelers, as removing the parts from the fret is a delicate process in itself, and maintaining control of these items through installation can be a challenge. In the end however, the results can certainly be worth the effort. Along with the aforementioned 77 parts, the set also comes with a single page set of instructions that show what to remove from the kit parts as well as how to install the detail parts. I will caution the builder to pay… more |