Reviews of scale model detail sets.

Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
November 9, 2010
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$7.95

First Impressions

This review product arrived in the mail wrapped in cardboard and amply reinforced duct tape. Upon opening the mailing package I found a heavy-duty, injection-molded black plastic, 11 ¾” by 15 5/8” long, enclosed in a clear plastic bag wrapper. A small sprue of clear plastic parts was also enclosed. The aircraft carrier deck is molded as an inverted tray, and is quite sturdy.

The engraving for the deck planks and elevator were clean and crisp, but might be considered too pronounced for an airplane model. For the bean counters, there are 190 tie downs. The welded seams are almost too finely rendered, with only a small portion that appears to have “faded”. There are four rectangular depressions that I assume receive the clear parts. On the underside of the tray was a date: 2001.

Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$14.95

Fresh and new Eduard’s “Brassin” name is a welcome addition to the aftermarket world of modeling. A sub-set line from the Eduard Model Accessories the claim of ‘Best Resin Around’ it appears credible with this offering.

Package contents:

  • Brassin detail set for Bf 109E in 1/32th scale from Eduard
  • 9 super-detailed resin parts
  • Express Mask

After just finishing the Eduard 109 kit I can see where these bits would have been appreciated. They are finely cast with excellent details and would have greatly improved some areas of the kit. Most notable is the tail gear and gearbay.

The set comes in a blister pack containing 11 resin pieces of differing shades of gray and a mask set along with detailed instructions offering a choice of two rims.

Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
February 21, 2020
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$22.50

Airfix’s 1/24 Mosquito is a large model, but is a little lacking in detail in places. One of these is the rather Spartan 0.303-inch Browning machine gun installation in the nose. Master Models has released a fine set of replacement parts for this area.

Each gun barrel is represented by 5 pre-formed brass pieces; the parts simply slot together and are secured with spots of superglue. Surgery is performed on the Airfix machine guns, with the whole of the plastic barrels being removed. The completed brass assembly is then glued to the plastic body of the gun. Simple!

The new barrels stand out head and shoulders above the plastic parts and when glued in place, they form a striking introduction to the aircraft. Highly recommended.

Master Models’ website is located at https://master-model.pl/ and they can be obtained from leading retailers. My thanks to Master Models for the review sample.

Review Author
Dan Mackay
Published on
October 28, 2010
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$3.37

Years ago in SAM Volume 21 Number 2 April 1999 Dave Neale built a beautiful I-153 in Finnish Markings. In his build article he reworked the kit cowling making the needed corrections to depict the proper exhausts. The Heller kit simply comes with dimples for the exhaust ports that surround the cowling. Dave removed these dimples and drilled out holes in the cowling and made his own exhausts. For years I have wanted to make this kit but have chickened out in favor of less involved projects, because I would need to do as Dave did to do the kit justice.

Review Author
Dan Mackay
Published on
October 28, 2010
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$3.40

I have collected and built a few Hasegawa P-51B/C's over the years. The Hasegawa exhausts are adequate but do not have the flanges and are not hollowed out on their ends. I like my exhausts drilled and find this task very tedious. Quickboost solves this issue. This set is cast in light grey resin with no molding flaws, and is designed as direct replacements for the kit exhausts with no modifications needed.

The Quickboost exhaust fit perfectly to into the Hasegawa cowl (see photo). I also test fitted these exhausts into the Academy and Revell Mustangs, but they were not very good fits for either so they cannot be substituted for the kit parts. Perhaps in time the good folks at Quickboost will make exhausts to fit these kits as well. The MRSP is very reasonable and really will dress-up this area. I recommend this latest Quickboost update for the Hasegawa P-51B/C family of kits without reservation.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
October 25, 2010
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.95
  • Intake Covers Type A or B
  • Part No. : 32088 / 32091
  • MSRP: $ 8.95
  • Exhaust Covers Type A or B
  • Part No. : 32087 / 32090
  • MSRP: $ 8.95

I love building jets but there are two things that are a pain on most of them and that is getting the ejector pin marks out of the intakes and exhausts. Besides that, almost all jets have covers on them as soon as possible to prevent FOD damage so if you want to pose a parked jet, it should have these covers on them- engines are expensive!

Quickboost has issued two sets each for exhaust and intake covers which are as simple as they sound and yet can make the diorama pop to life. The intake covers are one piece for each side with two delicate handles for each cover that can be detached and added. The difference between type A and B is the raised pattern on them. I trimmed one set, painted them red and tested the fit on my Trumpeter MiG-29. The fit was perfect.

Review Author
Jack Kennedy
Published on
October 22, 2010
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$46.95

The F-86 Sabre Jet happens to be one of my all time favorite aircraft so when John Noack put this kit up for review, I just had to jump on it.

The cockpit set is for the Kinetic 1/32 F-86F of which I have three. The kit cockpit is pretty nice but this Aires kit is the frosting on the cake. It consists of 11 very finely cast resin parts, two clear parts (actually the instruments are in clear and black), and 21 photo etched parts.

I primed the parts with Duplicolor Light Grey auto primer as I do with most of my models. I then used several books for detail research. I painted the details with Model Master acrylic paints. Once the details were painted, I removed the parts from their casting blocks. The major parts fit by interlocking the parts. The only thing left to do was to glue the parts to form the complete cockpit. I did not glue the seat in as I still have to put the photo etched seat belts.

Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
October 22, 2010
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$3.99

These accessories are produced by Quickboost, a resin-manufacturing firm that provides corrected components for discriminating modelers who want to get it right. Quickboost produces a large variety of corrected parts for aircraft kits in 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32 scale, and their website is very interesting to browse through. In this case, Hasegawa has taken a shortcut in their production process, not the first time this has happened. It reminds me of the old Lindberg kits many years ago that had standard propellers which were supposed to fit on many different kinds of airplanes. It didn’t work then, and still doesn’t today.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
October 22, 2010
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.00

The FuG 220 Sn-2b radar antennas were installed on Bf 110 and Ju 88 night fighters during World War. These radar antennas are the focal point of any night fighter kit. Model Master from Poland provides us with turned brass antenna struts and antenna dipoles to enhance the look of our next night fighter kit.

The turned brass parts mean that no mold line is present and that alone is enough of a reason to consider upgrading your kit. The other advantage is that antenna struts and dipoles actually have a circular cross-section.

Assembly is straightforward and simple. The instructions recommend soldering the parts together for assembly, but my soldering skills are not very good. I’ve used super glue instead. It worked OK, but I managed to knock off the dipoles in a few occasions during construction.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
February 10, 2020
Company
Loon Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.00

Roll Models has come out with their own brand of aftermarket resin parts, Loon Models and we'll review two sets in this review- a gun pack set and a set to modify G-10 wings and wheels.

The gunboat Messerschmitt Bf-109 contains some of the best looking markings for the 109. So what is unique about this set? Well for one the centerline gun pod. As far as I can recall this is the only way you can get the centerline gun pod without scratch building it. The packaging refers you to the AJ Press #17 for pictures of the actual pod and installation. This will be very helpful. This will make your 109 different from the rest.

The wing gun pods are nicely detailed, but they don’t look much different from the kit offerings.

Everything is molded in blemish and bubble free light caramel resin you get six pieces, two wing pods, one centerline pod and three 20mm cannons. Each piece will require just a quick little cleanup and each pod will need the hole enlarged for the gun.