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Reviews of scale model detail sets.
Kitset packaging

Mi-24 Mask
Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
July 11, 2022
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$9.95

I was just getting to the paint job on my review of the Zvezda Mi-24V. I had already painted the sand color when the postman delivered a package which saved me hours of work and possibly saved my sanity also. The Eduard mask set is a really great time and labor saving addition to the project.

If you look at the mask layout, it becomes evident that there are only a couple of straight lines anywhere on the mask. The Hind’s canopies have a number of compound curves and squiggles, and masking these, even with Tamiya tape cut into ½ mm slices would be a difficult job.

The masks went on very nicely. I used tape instead of the liquid mask Eduard suggests, but the masks followed every curve in the canopy lines nicely. A quick shot with the airbrush, and the canopy was painted.

The wheel masks were also quite good, although I had to make a small cut in the main wheel outer mask as the Hind’s wheel is not perfectly flat.

Kitset packaging

AC-47 Minigun Gun Barrels

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
May 14, 2011
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$5.95

Quickboost just keeps adding to their line of resin aircraft accessories. The latest addition is for the ESCI/Italeri AC-47 Gunship. It is up to their usual standards; molded in grey resin, smooth, seamless and bubble free. One thing of note is that they are really easy to remove from the mold block because of a nice perforation. It only took me a couple of swipes with my saw blade to remove them.

The barrels on the ESCI kit part look alright and would make an acceptable model but the Quickboost replacements are superior because of the high level of detail. All that is needed is to cut the kit parts barrel off and glue the Quickboost piece into place.

I highly recommend this product if you want a really superior looking model. Usually replacement parts need some work to get them installed properly but these parts go into place nicely. Thanks to Quickboost and IPMS USA for the chance to do this review.

Kitset packaging

Canopy Frame Mask for Zvezda La-5

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
May 11, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$7.95

The “Parts”

Eduard is known for supplying kits and hobby supplies of superior quality and excellent engineering and the EX330 Canopy Mask for the La-5 is no exception. The mask is a 2x2 inch square, with the mask components pre-cut to fit the canopy of the Zvezda La-5, kit # 4803.

Assembly

The instructions that accompany the mask are easy to use and clearly identify the location where each of the individual masks will be used. The masks are easy to remove from the backing sheet. Simply insert the tip of a blade under each mask piece, gently pull it up and off the backing sheet, and then attach it as per the mask instructions. Once the mask piece is in the correct location applying gentle pressure will ensure a good seal between the mask and the kit part. Send a little extra time burnishing the mask edges down to prevent any paint-creep under the masking material.

Kitset packaging

F-4 Exhaust Nozzles Late

Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
May 9, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$34.95

Contents

Detail set of F-4 exhaust nozzles for the Hasegawa F-4E/F/G/J/S Phantoms powered by J79-GE-10/17.

  • 8 highly detailed resin parts
  • 1 Photo etch fret.
  • Instruction Sheet.

The Product

Packaged in the standard clear double blister pack you find secured by a small black foam block the delicate resin pieces, found intact and without flaws of any type. In the shallow upper blister section resting on a black back paper is the photo etch fret. The folded instruction sheet features well illustrated detailed instructions in color, on the reverse side also in color they feature other products offered by Brassin for the Hasegawa 1/48 Phantom phamily along with the standard contact and safety information.

Kitset packaging

B-13L Soviet Rocket Launcher
Review Author
Charles Landrum
Published on
September 21, 2021
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.00

The B-13L rocket launcher was developed out of the Soviet experience in Afghanistan because the existing rocket systems lacked the punch to take-down stone houses, rock walls or cave openings. The ubiquitous 122mm rocket had the requisite explosive weight to do the job. So necessity being the mother of invention, the B-13L was developed to air launch to the 122mm rocket. The system was fielded in 1988, the final year of the conflict and it remains in the inventories of Russia and its current and former patron states.

Box Art

FAB-250 TS Soviet Bombs
Review Author
Charles Landrum
Published on
December 19, 2021
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.00

The FAB-250 is a general purpose dumb bomb with is widely manufactured and exported, similar to the US 500lb bomb. The have been widely used in the conflicts along the Russian (Soviet) border in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Nagarno-Kharabak and Georgia. You frequently see them carried on Russian multiple ejector racks. While they are available in numerous kits, Aires had release their version in an aftermarket package.

This set is crisply patterned and cast with very this fin detail in durable resin. The bombs have a nice shape, but lack some lug detail found on injection molded bombs included by OEZ/KOPRO in their kits. Since I don’t know the purpose of these lugs I can’t comment on their presence, but I have seen them in photos. The fit of the bomb to the fin is perfect, but some care will be needed to endure the fins are straight upon attachment. The set also includes a comprehensive decal set of stencils.

Kitset packaging

SPPU-22 Soviet Gun Pods

Review Author
Charles Landrum
Published on
November 30, 2021
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.00

One of the more impressive Soviet/Russian weapon systems is the SPPU-22 gun pod. With two twin 23mm cannons it is used to strafe ground targets and can be adjusted from the cockpit to fire horizontal or up to 30 degrees down angle. Typically two are carried on an aircraft. A tactic peculiar to the Russian way of war is to mount the pods so that one faces forward and one aft. The aircraft can then fly down a line hitting targets coming and going – it has to be demoralizing to the recipients.;

Up to now the only source for these gun pods was the KOPRO (ex-OEZ) Su-25. The kit supplied pods are actually pretty detailed, but the gun system itself is very weak and would need to be scratchbuilt. Aires in their new Aerobonus line has released a new series of Soviet/Russian aftermarket weapons/weapon systems. First in line is the SPPU-22.

Kitset contents and packaging

EA-6B Undercarriage
Review Author
Fred Wilms
Published on
May 6, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$29.95

Construction

This kit contains 56 photo etched parts. There were 3 extra parts, namely an extra hold down shackle.

The photo etched parts were in perfect condition. These details were used in the 3 wheel well areas. They all fit well except one area. A notch was made in one corner item -- as shown in the photo. The area modified was in the main landing gear tie into the deck. The instructions were good, except for where the extra hold down was located. A bend brake tool would be helpful.

Comments

This kit is recommended for the experienced modeler, due to the numerous tiny parts.

Conclusion

I wish to thank Eduard & IPMS for allowing me to review this aftermarket kit.

Kitset package and contents

EA-6B Electronic Equipment
Review Author
Fred Wilms
Published on
May 6, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$29.95

Construction

This kit contains two photo etched sheets with 33 parts. The photo etched parts were in perfect condition. The details were used in the aft electronics bay. The unit folds down and is called the birdcage. This unit will be placed in the down position. The assembly is straight forward and fairly simple to assemble. I did not use the bend brake for this project.

Comments

This kit can be assembled by any good modeler. Skill level is medium in my opinion. There are several miniature parts.

Conclusion

I wish to thank Eduard and IPMS/USA for allowing me to review this aftermarket kit.

Mask set

Express Mask Bf 110G-2
Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
May 6, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.95

Packaged in a oversized poly zip lock bag you find sandwiched between two sheets of cardstock one 2 X 5 ¼ inch yellow precut mask set along with a folded one sided placement sheet. The set covers the canopy and wheels, or should I say canopies when you consider the greenhouse that is the Bf 110G-2. Simple is the word that comes to mind when using these Eduard mask sets; however this set could be a little confusing if you do not carefully reference the placement guide. I always do a light pencil rubbing to reveal the cuts. Remember patients will be your reward. Eduard has a knack for doing these things very well and this one is no different.

The price my be a little had to swallow for the budget minded modeler while others won’t mind a bit shelling out 13 bucks to do the Bf 110 canopy nightmare. I highly recommend this set to anyone building the Eduard Bf110G-2. My thanks go to Eduard and IPMS/USA.

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