Will Kuhrt
Reviews By Author
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F4F-3 WildcatPublished:
Eduard’s new F4F-3 Wildcat is a beautiful and well-engineered kit. The recessed panel lines, raised and recessed rivets are gorgeous. The kit contains five gray and one clear sprues, beautiful pre-painted photo-etch parts and a decal sheet, which provides markings for six different planes. The kit, however, is not without its flaws. The 58-gallon drop tank, which all productions of the F4F-3 could carry, is absent from the instructions. There is mistake with the decal callouts (what is identified as Nr. 59 should be Nr. 54). There are raised demarcation lines on the edges of the prop blades for the yellow tips. These should be sanded down. There is nothing inside the wings to hold the guns, so when you insert them into the holes, they won’t stop and you could easily lose a gun… more |
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Astro Vertical Frameless Display CasePublished:
The Astro Vertical Frameless Display Cases are versatile display cases which come in a range of sizes and which are suitable for many model display applications. The cases are constructed of a seamless molded acrylic cover minimally framed in Cherry hardwood. The design features built-in handles, a cover which is easily removed with no special tools, the ability to be outfitted with lighting (provided as an accessory) as well as the ability to be hung on a wall or displayed on a shelf or mantle. The Cherry hardwood grain is beautiful, and the care to the overall finish—the smoothed edges, the gentle curves—gives it an elegant appearance which only compliments any fine model in your collection. The sample in this review measures 11”x 6” x 10.5”. It is the perfect… more |
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1/20 – 1/16 Traditional Military Style Crates #2Published:
Value Gear Details, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, produces a wide range of high-quality resin accessories for most common model scales. Many of the accessories and stowage sets are universal, which is a nice advantage. This allows the model builder to customize the look they want by mixing sets or you can use one sets intended for specific subjects, such as the ‘Shermie Bits & Extras’. The set featured in this review has 11 pieces. Also available is set Crates #1 consisting of 10 pieces. The pieces are molded in a dark-brown resin and the detail is impressive. There are even tiny nails! Clean-up is minimal. I removed the miniscule amount of flash by running a hobby knife along the bottom edge. Next, I soaked the pieces in a mild detergent solution and left them to… more |
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Paasche D3000R Oil-less Air CompressorPublished:
The Paasche Airbrush Company, based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was started in 1904 by Jens Paasche, a self-educated Norwegian immigrant, who through his self-educated inventive genius, became a leader in the air painting industry around the turn of the century. Today, the Paasche Airbrush Company is one of the world’s leaders in airbrush industry and produces a full line of equipment—airbrushes, compressors, spray guns and spray booths, and related equipment for professionals as well as hobbyists. The D3000R is a 1/5 horsepower piston air compressor. It has a ¾ gallon tank and a maximum operating pressure of approximately 40 PSI with a deliverable range of 1-40 PSI. Upon opening the box, you will see it is very well packaged and contains the compressor, pressure regulator, thread… more |
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Small Arms for the Volkssturm Set 1Published:
The set is part of a new line of 3D printed 1/35 scale accessories. The kit contains one instruction sheet, photo etched straps and a one 3D printed part with four weapons on supports. To begin, I primed the weapons using Tamiya Fine Surface Primer while they were still on the supports. Next, I air brushed them with a base coat using AK Interactive Gunmetal. I removed the first weapon by cutting the supports at the bottom due to the tight fit and to prevent unnecessary damage to the gun. Once it was free, I then carefully removed the figures see picture 7. After all the weapons had been removed and trimmed, I completed the painting process. All that remained was to attach the photo etched straps. My one criticism of this set, is that the instructions tell you to… more |
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F-4B Phantom II Ram Air Turbine 1/48 (RAT AC Generator)Published:
BackgroundA Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is commonly found on modern aircraft – both military and civilian -- and is used only in emergency situations. In the event of the loss of primary and auxiliary power sources, the RAT will be deployed to power vital systems of the aircraft such as flight controls, hydraulics, and instrumentation. The AIRES Ram Air Turbine featured in this review is designed for the 1/48 Tamiya F-4B Phantom II. For review purposes, I used a spare fuselage of this kit. In terms of the practicality of using this accessory with your Tamiya F-4B Phantom II build, you would want to use it if your intention is to pose the plane in maintenance mode. This is due to the fact that the RAT would only be opened up for maintenance purposes while the plane… more |
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Luftschutz Helmet (2pcs)Published:
Thank you Bill & Phil for all you do for the Reviewers! The set is part of a new line of 3D printed 1/35 scale accessories. The Luftschutz helmet set contains two 3D printed helmets, one decal sheet and photo etch straps. The helmets are exceedingly well detailed and show no evidence of being 3D printed, i.e., print lines, support fingers, etc. The helmet surface is smooth as glass and requires no sanding. The decal sheet provides markings for four variations: German Luftschutz, Prague Uprising 1945—two versions, and the Warsaw Uprising 1944. Assembly was very easy. To begin, I primed the surface with Tamiya Fine Surface Primer. Next, I painted a base coat of Mission Models anthracite paint. When dry, I clear coated the helmets. I painted the… more |
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155mm Gun M1 “Long Tom” and 8-inch Howitzer in WWII and KoreaPublished:
About the AuthorDavid Doyle is a familiar name and a prolific author of military history books. His published works have appeared in periodicals aimed at the hobby of historic military vehicle restoration. By 1999, this included regular features in leading hobby publications, appearing regularly in US, British and Polish magazines. Since 2003, over 200 of his books have been published. Table of Contents
SummaryThis is excellent book as part of the Legends of Warfare series, which currently consists of 51 titles. Chapter One discusses the development of the 155mm gun M1 ‘Long Tom’ starting with its… more |
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Display Bases by Bill: 10th SS Panzer Division "Frundsberg" Armor Display BasePublished:
About the CreatorsBases by Bill, LLC is one of those rare companies that began from love of the model building hobby, a good idea and true family involvement. They specialize in hand-finished hardwood display bases and cases and other presentation items for scale models. I had the great pleasure of meeting them at the 2022 IPMS National Convention in Omaha, Nebraska. The company is operated by Bill & his son Weston and receives marketing and website support from his nephew Christian. It truly is a family company. Bill is an aircraft modeler while Weston tends toward armor. One day, Bill, using his other passion of woodworking, glued up some pieces of wood into a Balken Kreuz and took it to one of his local chapter meetings (IPMS Mad City Modelers). His… more |
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Building 1/8 Scale Unholy Demon, The Marmo MethodPublished:
Thank you Bill & Phil for all you do for the Reviewers! About the AuthorRichard Marmo is a free-lance writer, professional model builder and founding member of the International Plastic Modelers Society USA (IPMS/USA #2). He has also spent decades researching his family’s genealogy. He has written three print books, several hundred articles & kit review columns, a growing list of ebooks and created several CD-ROM photo galleries with more in the works. Along the way, he has produced well over 1,000 models for clients ranging from Aerospace companies to private collectors. A self-described aircraft/science fiction nut...ahem, enthusiast...he will and has built just about anything you care to name, depending on his client’s requirements. A native… more |