Tom Choy
Reviews By Author
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Ukrainian Rooks: Su-25 Decal SetPublished:
The Su-25 (NATO name: Frogfoot) is a subsonic, single-seat, twin engine aircraft developed in 1975 by Sukhoi. Designed to provide close air support for the Warsaw Pact ground forces, the Grach (or Rook) has seen much action over the years, from Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, Ukraine and as recently in Syria. This decal sheet focuses on Ukrainian aircraft. The sheet is printed in Ukraine by Decograph on blue backing paper, clearly printed and in register. Carrier film is minimal. The sheet provides markings for two schemes – one in a tan-medium green and dark green splinter scheme circa 2004, and another with medium green with dark green “clovers,” circa 2008-2015. Some of the aircraft in the latter scheme were involved in the 2014-2015 conflict with Russian-backed separatists, and… more |
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48N6E of 5P85S TEL S-300PMU SA-10 GrumblePublished:
Notes: Missiles not included, only canisters. Instructions are vague on stencil placement. This kit would make a great introduction to armor kits. First deployed by the Soviet Union in 1979, the S-300 (NATO reporting name: SA-10 Grumble) is a Russian long-range surface to air missile system designed to counter aircraft and cruise missiles. Over the years, the system had evolved to intercept ballistic missiles as well. Regarded as one of the most potent anti-aircraft missile systems currently fielded, it is mostly used in Russia, Asia, and Eastern Europe, though it is also in use by three NATO members: Bulgaria, Greece and Slovakia. In 2007, the S-400 (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler), an evolved version was introduced. The S-300 system is basically the Russian answer to the… more |
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Mirage IIIR/RSPublished:
The Dassault Mirage III needs very little introduction among aviation enthusiasts. A lightweight, single-engine, delta-winged, all-weather interceptor, it was in 1961 and soon found its way into air arms around the world. The Mirage III has seen combat, notably in Israel, South Africa, Argentina, and Pakistan, and has been upgraded and modified over the years in order to extend the life of the airframe. Sixty years later, Pakistan is the only remaining air force flying the Mirage in the form of the ROSE III upgrade. With such a history, it is surprising that there are not many kits of the Mirage III in 1/72. The Heller kit from 1976 was the definitive Mirage III kit for a while, and there has not been a modern kit of this iconic aircraft until the last few years. This… more |
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Modern Taiwanese Air Power: The Republic of China Air Force TodayPublished:
Did you know that the Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) is one of the oldest air forces in the world? It marked its 100th anniversary on November 29, 2020. It may also be the only air force that has physically moved, from the Chinese mainland to the island now known as Taiwan in 1949, after the Chinese civil war. The RoCAF has a special place in American history, when a volunteer group of US pilots fought Japanese forces in the Second World War in P-40Bs marked with RoC markings. This unit is, of course, the famous Flying Tigers. The RoC also flew many dangerous reconnaissance missions in the late 60’s, over China to gather intelligence regarding the latter’s early nuclear testing. The RoCAF also flew numerous support missions against Viet Cong forces during the Vietnam War, with… more |
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Chinese Air Power in the 20th CenturyPublished:
Based out of Austria, Harpia Publishing specializes in the more esoteric aspects of military aviation, and boasts some of the most knowledgeable authors in their respective fields. The result is a catalog of books with very detailed accounts of Egyptian, Iranian, Iraqi, Syrian, Asian, and various African air forces. Chinese Air Power in the 20th Century is Andreas Rupprecht’s fifth exploration into the modern Chinese aviation. Previous publications addressed the shift in power towards China in Asia (Flashpoint China), the PLA Navy’s modernization, particularly in aviation (Modern Chinese Warplanes: Naval Aviation – Aircraft and Units), a survey of the PLA Air Force (Modern Chinese Warplanes: Chinese Air Force – Aircraft and Units), and finally, a survey of the PLA Army’s assets… more |
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Saab JA-37 ViggenPublished:
Once known as MPM, Special Hobby is one of the premier model kit manufacturers in the Czech Republic. It is actually a collective of other well-known brands, such as Azur, CMK, Planet Models, and many more. Once known for its short-run kits of esoteric subjects, Special Hobby has now become a major powerhouse in the model kit industry, using cutting-edge steel molds to produce a diverse and well-engineered range of subjects. Introduced into service in 1970, the Saab Viggen was one of the most advanced combat aircraft of its time, an incredible feat given that the aircraft was developed independently in Sweden. The design was ambitious and bold. It could use its STOL capability to operate from dispersed, short runways only 500 meters long (including local roads), and featured a… more |
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Modern Chinese Warplanes: Chinese Army Aviation - Combat Helicopters and UnitsPublished:
Based out of Austria, Harpia Publishing specializes in the more esoteric aspects of military aviation, and boasts some of the most knowledgeable authors in their respective fields. The result is a catalog of books with very detailed accounts of Egyptian, Iranian, Iraqi, Syrian, Asian, and various African air forces. For enthusiasts of modern Chinese aviation, Andreas Rupprecht is the foremost Western expert on the subject. His work has been featured in various defense publications, and is quite well known in aviation enthusiast circles. Harpia has tapped his vast knowledge on the topic to produce a series of books on the topic. His fourth title, Modern Chinese Warplanes: Chinese Army Aviation – Combat Helicopters and Units, looks into a much overlooked and under-… more |
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Iomax Archangel with Archangel Weapons SetPublished:
Based in Latvia, Croco is a small resin operation specializing in highly esoteric WW2 and post-war armor and aircraft subjects, though they are branching out into other subjects such as hovercraft The Iomax Archangel is designed to be a low-cost combat aircraft based on a highly modified Thrush 510P cropduster. Upgraded with additional fuel, the aircraft has a demonstrated loiter time of up to 10 hours, The Archangel has been marketed as a platform for counterinsurgency, counterrorism, counterdrug, counterpiracy, and even border patrol. Interestingly enough, the predecessor to the Archangel, the Iomax Border Patrol Aircraft (BPA), was originally based on a modified AirTractor AT-802i cropduster, was exported to the United Arab Emirates, where it saw action in Egypt, Libya and… more |
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F-15E Maximum Effort EaglesPublished:
Between April to October of 2018, several F-15Es from the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (the "Panthers") deployed to an undisclosed location in the Middle East to support Coalition Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, tasked with striking Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria. While deployed, the Panthers completed nearly 2,000 missions, over 10,000 flying hours, employing more than 500 precision-guided munitions in support of US Central Command operations. On their return to Lakenheath at the end of the deployment, the aircraft were seen sporting some very striking nose art and mission markings. Since 2001, TwoBobs decals has built up a reputation for high-quality, well-researched and detailed decal sheets with a focus on modern US aircraft. This… more |
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AL-31F M2 Engine Exhaust Nozzles for Su-34Published:
Reskit is an aftermarket parts company based out of Kiev, Ukraine. Established in 2015, their products are a combination of photo-etch and resin parts. Using CAD and 3D printing technologies, the resulting product is finely detailed and builds up into very complex assemblies. The item reviewed is the Saturn AL-31 engine exhaust nozzle, specifically the AL-31F M2, used in the Sukhoi Su-34 and Chengdu J-20. Looking at images of the other engine sets, (Reskit also makes sets for the Su-27 and Su-30), they appear to be the same, but there are probably very minute differences between the engine variants that aren’t visible from a cursory investigation. Each set comes with two sets of nozzles, each consisting of 12 parts for a total of 24 (with 4 rings on the flame holder on a… more |