Timothy Gidcumb
Reviews By Author
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Me 262B-1/U1 Landing GearPublished:
Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Scale Aircraft Conversions SAC has made an adaptation of the Me 262B-1/U-1 landing gear in white metal for the 1/32 Revell kit. The set contains the two main gear legs with oleo scissors and retraction struts. The main gear leg, its retraction strut, and its mount are also part of the set. I have seen photos of some 262s with an oleo scissor on the nose gear strut, but apparently, the B model did not have it. These are direct replacements for the parts that come in the Revell Me262B-1/U-1. Comparing the kit landing gear and the SAC landing gear side by side you will notice a lot of similarities between the two. Overall this is highly recommended for stronger landing gear especially since the 262 had tricycle landing… more |
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Flying the Icon: SpitfirePublished:
DescriptionThe Supermarine Spitfire is not only one of the most famous British icons, but it is arguably the most widely-recognized and popular aircraft in the history of aviation. For many generations, it was said to be ‘every schoolboy’s dream’ to fly a Spitfire, and Flying the Icon: Spitfire aims to give the reader an insight into what that requires. To mark the 80th anniversary of the first flight of Prototype K5054 on 5 March 1936, author Jarrod Cotter presents something entirely different from the previously published histories of the Spitfire. Having spent a great deal of time talking to Spitfire pilots past and present, attending flight operations briefings and Spitfire pilot training courses, he has used his ‘insider’s’ perspective to produce a book… more |
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Messerschmitt Me 262B-1 Zoom SetPublished:
Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Eduard’s ZOOM set for the new 1/32 Revell Me262B-1 kit. I waited and waited for the new 1/32 Revell Me262B-1 to be released in the States and that day has not come yet so I bought one from Germany. One of the first things to notice with this product is the excellent presentation of the packaging with the sealed flap on the back of package to allow for easy access to parts. Upon removal of the photoetch from the package you will notice the great level of detail on the pre-painted pieces that make up the interior detail set. There is a lot of great detail that covers the front and rear instrument panels, side instrument controls, plus side fuselage detail. This is typical instrument detail from Eduard with the 2 piece… more |
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244th Sentai Part 1Published:
The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien ("flying swallow") is a Japanese World War II fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service. The Japanese Army designation was "Army Type 3 Fighter" Allied pilots initially believed Ki-61s were Messerschmitt Bf 109’s and later an Italian aircraft, which led to the Allied reporting name of "Tony", assigned by the United States War Department. It was the only mass-produced Japanese fighter of the war to use a liquid-cooled inline V engine. Over 3,000 Ki-61s were produced. Initial prototypes saw action over Yokohama during the Doolittle Raid on 18 April 1942, and continued to fly combat missions throughout the war. Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review one of Lifelike Decal’s offering for the Ki-61 Hein (48-003). This… more |
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Messerschmitt Me 262B-1 STEEL SeatbeltsPublished:
Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Eduard’s STEEL Belt line for the new 1/32 Revell Me262B-1 kit. I waited and waited for the new 1/32 Revell Me262B-1 to be released in the States and that day has not come yet so I bought one from Germany. One of the first things to notice with this product is the excellent presentation of the packaging with the sealed flap on the back of package to allow for easy access to parts. Upon removal of the photoetch from the package you will notice the great level of detail on the pre-painted belts which include a little bit of weathering. These belts are only 0.04 mm thick and are very easy to position on the seat and they hold their shape well. You can apply these to the seats using a spot of superglue and you will… more |
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Roland C.II Landing GearPublished:
Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Scale Aircraft Conversions adaption of the Roland C.II landing gear in white metal for the 1/32 Wingnut Wings kit. The set contains left and right landing gear legs, a center axle and airfoil section, plus a replacement tail skid. These are direct replacements for the ones found supplied with the kit with just a little more detail. Overall this is highly recommended for stronger landing gear with added detail and is a great addition to the Wingnut Wings kit. I would like to thank Scale Aircraft Conversions for another great offering in metal landing gear and IPMS USA for the opportunity to review this item. |
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Mirage F.1 Landing GearPublished:
Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Scale Aircraft Conversions adaption of the Mirage F.1 landing gear in white metal for the 1/72 Special Hobby kit. The set contains two main landing gear legs, a nose gear leg and two additional struts. Overall this is highly recommended for stronger landing gear, ability to adjust the white metal to where you need it, and added detail. This is a great addition to the Special Hobby kit. I would like to thank Scale Aircraft Conversions for another great offering in metal landing gear and IPMS USA for the opportunity to review this item. |
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F-16 (Light) Landing GearPublished:
Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Scale Aircraft Conversions adaptation of the F-16 Light landing gear in white metal for the 1/48 Kinetic kit. The set contains the aft gear bulkhead along with the retraction struts. The nose gear includes a separate nose gear and its retraction strut and oleo scissor. This set is for the light versions of the F-16 (-1 to -20 versions or the F-16A/B variants). Also included in this set is a nose gear door landing light, and an altered main gear bulkhead, which makes the installation of the main gear easier. These are a direct replacements for the ones found supplied with the kit with just a little more detail. Overall this is highly recommended for stronger landing gear and added detail… more |
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Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.1Published:
The Boulton Paul Defiant was a British interceptor aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. The Defiant was designed and built by Boulton Paul Aircraft as a "turret fighter", without any forward-firing guns. It was a contemporary of the Royal Navy's Blackburn Roc. The concept of a turret fighter related directly to the successful First World War-era Bristol F.2 Fighter. In combat, the Defiant was found to be reasonably effective at its intended task of destroying bombers but was vulnerable to the Luftwaffe's more maneuverable, single-seat Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. The lack of forward-firing armament proved to be a great weakness in daylight combat and its potential was only realized when it was converted to night fighting. It was supplanted… more |
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Early P-40B Hollow Steel Prop and SpinnerPublished:
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground-attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational service. The Warhawk was used by most Allied powers during World War II, and remained in frontline service until the end of the war. It was the third most-produced American fighter, after the P-51 and P-47; by November 1944, when production of the P-40 ceased, 13,738 had been built, all at Curtiss-Wright Corporation's main production facilities at Buffalo, New York. Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Ultracast Early P-40B Hollow Steel Prop & Spinner Curtiss 11… more |