Steve Collins
Reviews By Author
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Model Art MagazinePublished:
Model Art Issue 922 is typical of other Model Art magazines in that it is written entirely in Japanese, with occasional English words, usually in article titles or in captions. This issue shows a large photo spread of the result of a conversion of the 1/350 Tamiya Yamato to the Musashi, specifically as she currently is, lying on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Also, there’s a pretty good review of the Wolfpack release of the US Navy T-2 Buckeye training jet. Plus, there are lots of advertisements showing what is available and new, always useful for building up that wish list. The article on the conversion of the Musashi is actually pretty incredible, considering the Musashi has only recently been found. The article includes many of the available pictures of the ship taken by… more |
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F-35A/B Lightning II Landing Gear (ACA)Published:
Scale Aircraft Conversions is known for making replacement landing gear for a wide variety of kits in virtually every scale in which model aircraft are available. This set is designed to replace the plastic gear in the Academy F-35A kit. The packaging says it’s for F-35A/B, but Academy doesn’t do an F-35B yet. The only F-35B kit in 1/72 that I know of currently is the Fujimi kit and these landing gear are a bit shorter and less beefy than the ones in that kit. Perhaps the guys at SAC know something we don’t. The set includes both main gear legs and the nose gear with their separate retraction struts. The struts are very sturdy and are made to be drop-in replacements for the kit parts. The parts require very little clean up, though some parts do occasionally become a bit bent… more |
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AH-1G/UH-1D Tail Rotor BladesPublished:
This product is a simple replacement for the tail rotor for AH-1Gs and UH-1Ds. The part is recommended for the AZ Models or Special Hobbies AH-1G kits, but will work with any UH-1D/H kit that has the wrong style of tail rotor. As you can see from the pictures, taken with kit parts from both AH-1G kits, the kit parts have thicker blades with a different shape. Those were based on later AH-1F and AH-1S helicopters and are incorrect for earlier Cobras. The parts are direct replacements for the kit parts and remove easily from the mold pour plug, with easy cleanup. They are well cast, with no mold flaws or pin holes in the resin. The parts align well with drawings I have of the early Cobras and Hueys. Besides, if anybody would know whether they were correct or not, I think Floyd… more |
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T-2C Buckeye Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions is known for making replacement landing gear for a wide variety of kits in virtually every scale in which model aircraft are available. This set is designed to replace the plastic gear in the Wolfpack T-2C Buckeye kit. The set includes both main gear legs with their retraction struts, and the nose gear made in one piece with the nose wheel. The struts are very sturdy and are made to be drop-in replacements for the kit parts. The parts require very little clean up, though some parts do occasionally become a bit bent during shipping. No worries there, though, since they are very easily straightened. Recommended, especially if you’re adding a bit of weight to make sure your Buckeye isn’t a tail sitter. Thanks to Scale Aircraft Conversions for the… more |
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F-84E/G Thunderjet Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions is known for making replacement landing gear for a wide variety of kits in virtually every scale in which model aircraft are available. This set is designed to replace the plastic gear in the Academy and Italeri F-84E/G kits. I think with a bit of work it could be used on the Tamiya kit. The set includes both main gear legs and the nose gear made in one piece with the nose wheel. The struts are very sturdy and are made to be drop-in replacements for the kit parts. The parts require very little clean up, though some parts do occasionally become a bit bent during shipping. No worries there, though, since they are very easily straightened. Recommended, especially after you’ve added a bit of weight to make sure your Thunderjet isn’t a tail sitter. The… more |
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Folland Gnat T.1/F.1 Landing Gear (AX)Published:
Scale Aircraft Conversions is known for making replacement landing gear for a wide variety of kits in virtually every scale in which model aircraft are available. This set is designed to replace the plastic gear in the Airfix Folland Gnat T.1/F.1 kit. The set includes both main gear legs with their integral retraction struts and the nose gear. The struts are very sturdy and are made to be drop-in replacements for the kit parts. The parts require very little clean up, though some parts do occasionally become a bit bent during shipping. No worries there, though, since they are very easily straightened. Recommended, especially if you’re adding a bit of weight to make sure your Gnat isn’t a tail sitter. You’ll probably need it, too, considering the normal tail… more |
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Model Art Modeling Magazine No. 920Published:
Model Art Issue 920 is typical of other Model Art magazines in that it is written entirely in Japanese, with occasional English words, usually in article titles or in captions. This issue deals specifically with the F-86 in Japanese service, painting the Streak Eagle version of the F-15, Orange Hobby’s F-35 kit and a comparison build of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL from Tamiya. Plus, there are lots of advertisements showing what is available and new, always useful for building up that wish list. There are lots of good detail pictures of the F-86 in Japanese markings in the feature on that aircraft. And I’m sure the author of the Streak Eagle article went into depth on how he managed to mask and paint all the various shades of metallic paints on the F-15, but the photos are… more |
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F-4 Phantom II In ActionPublished:
This is another of the In Action series of books from Squadron Publications, serving as a follow-up and addition to the previous two versions in In Actions 5 and 65 by other authors. This version includes many pictures not previously included, along with lots of color photos. Naturally, my eye was initially drawn to the book by the full cover shot of the VF-111 F-4B in their early markings. And, having developed a love/hate relationship with the aircraft after working on the F-4 for over 15 years in the Air Force, I had to give it a look. The book is divided by users of the aircraft then version, rather than simply by version. Each section includes color pictures where available and frequently include color side profiles showing specific markings. Some of the parts in… more |
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Camouflage & Markings Volume 2 - Armour in Theatre Normandy Campaign Part I: British and Canadian ForcesPublished:
This book is Part I of Volume 2 of the Camouflage S Markings series from Guideline Publications, publishers of Scale Aircraft Modelling and Military Modelcraft magazines and the Warpaint series of books. It covers British and Canadian armored (armoured? – two countries separated by a common language) forces in Normandy. In the Introduction, the author explains that the purpose of the book is not to give a detailed chronological treatment of the campaign. Instead, it is supposed to cover the camouflage and marking of the British and Canadian forces “in the context of examining aspects of the role of armour in the Normandy campaign and not in terms of a chronological retelling of the different operations conducted during its course.” There is a brief discussion of the lead-up to… more |
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Flying Wings - A Visual History of the Northrop XB-35 and YB-49Published:
Do you have one of the old AMT/ERTL XB-35 or YB-49 kits sitting around just waiting for the perfect reference? Or perhaps you have one of the small-scale Dragon kits and you want to add just that little something extra. Well, your wait is over, you’re out of excuses. This book is the AMS sufferer’s dream (nightmare?) when it comes to those two visionary aircraft. The book opens with a small section on the history leading up to the contract to build the aircraft. We’re told about Jack Northrop’s tinkering and his dreams of creating a plane to confirm his opinions. He felt that every part of a plane except the wing was just so much excess baggage. There are a few photos of the N-1Ms and the N-9Ms Northrop built to prove his theories. Then, into the meat of the book, we see photos… more |