Reviews of scale model detail sets.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
April 28, 2011
Company
Zactomodels
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$58.00

Chris "Zactoman" Wilson provides another much needed update for the 1/32 Trumpeter Su-27 with the release of a full weapons pylon set - ten [weapons] in all. In the set, you get replacement for the both wing tip pylons, 2 APU-73 pylons, four AKU-470 pylons with separate actuator rods, and two APU-470 pylons. The difference with between these pylons and the kits is phenomenal. All have the correct shape so the missiles added will sit at the correct angle. Detail is provided on the bottom of each pylon so if they are left empty, there is not just the flat bottom provided by the kit pylons. Detailing is incredible and I have pictures of the kits and the Zactomodels sets together - there is no close comparison.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
April 28, 2011
Company
Zactomodels
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$0.00

This build was a perfect storm; From IPMS I received the Mig 23 review items for Zactomodels Mig 23 pylon set, and the seriously improved Intake ramp. I contacted Chris of ZACTOMODEL fame to order missile rails and Aphids; and he sent them on for review. Let’s say it up front: THANKS CHRIS (aka “Zactoman”,) for the cool modeling support items, and providing us these for review. We at IPMS USA appreciate the serious, undying support of distributors like you!

First order of business once I learned of my fate in doing aftermarket for a kit I wanted but did not have: I had to buy a Trumpeter Mig 23M. OW! (But it was worth it)

Editor's note: No product packaging images were provided.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
April 28, 2011
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$4.75

I received the bypass doors and Control levers from Quickboost via the IPMS lottery for use in my MIG 23 build. THANKS QUICKBOOST for providing us these items for review. We at IPMS USA appreciate your continued support!

I started this review with the Quickboost bypass doors; Install the doors in the outer intake duct. All that is required is to remove the mounting lip on the intake, and carefully install them in a partially-open position. Nicely done Quickboost!

The control stick is a work of art; three are provided. The three-button stick with the Autopilot “off” paddle is extremely well detailed, and a great improvement over the kit item which doesn’t really look like it should.

Final verdict: an excellent effort from Quickboost!

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
April 28, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$20.00

The usual thanks go to Aires for providing IPMS USA with yet another great review item.

A very simple upgrade to the Hobbyboss Mig 17 kit series; you’ll have to remove the inner details from the kit wings, glue the bay in place on the lower wing interior, and they are done. As to the nose: replace the nose intake splitter/wheel well with the resin item. Nose and main gear doors are also included.

It’s worth the cash and time for these parts. Simple modeling skills required; the improvement is seen when the Aires parts are held up next to the kit items.

This is a great time to be in the hobby, and Aires had obviously decided they are going to continue to compete for our hard earned paychecks. With sets like this, they are succeeding… well done Aires!

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
April 26, 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 Hasegawa Ta 154. 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 minutes with my saw blade to remove them.

The night exhausts that come in the Hasegawa kit look alright and would make an acceptable model, but the kit parts are 2 pieces, so they have a seam that will need to be fixed. The Quickboost replacements are one-piece, and just look a lot better when along side the kit parts. They are very easy to install, and they just fit right in.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
April 25, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.00

Aires has an obvious love affair with the Ar-196 from Italeri. They offered up no less than two cockpits in their own range. In their Quickboost range they have a corrected cowling, exhausts and weapons. Now the only thing missing from those sets is addressed, the wheels.

Aires provides two main wheels with perfect circumferential tread. They are cast in light grey resin with no bubbles. They are suitably bulged but not overly flat. There isn’t much more to say about the wheels themselves as they are just perfect.

Aires also includes a set of masks which will prove useful in the painting process. There are four masks for both sides of each wheel.

Adding the wheels is as simple as substituting the kit wheels with the resin ones. Simple, easy to use and perfect in their execution. You can’t ask for more from an aftermarket set.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review copy.

Review Author
Rick Bellanger
Published on
April 25, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$54.95

I received this conversion set with great anticipation and look forward to installing it on my latest venture.

I have built quite a few Tamiya, 1/32nd Phantom kits, since its debut. (a total of 77 to be exact.) I know this guy’s lying, but it's true. I used to build for a decal manufacturer that had over 100 decal sets for the F-4 and he wanted a model built for every one of them, all in 1/32nd. Well, he is out of business, so now I build for myself). I have used just about every aftermarket product out there for the F-4 and I'm always looking for something new. Eduard has come aboard with a very nice Exhaust Nozzle set.

Opening the package revealed some nice protective foam and each assembly was in its own plastic bag. No damage or lost parts. You get direct replacement parts for two engine intakes, discharges, tubes and nozzles. Also included is a new arresting hook. All the parts are of a very high quality resin casting and photo etch.

Review Author
Chad Richmond
Published on
April 24, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$42.50

The Academy 1/32ndscale F-16I Sufa is a very nicely done kit, with lots of detail and lots of extra bits and pieces. But, Aires isn’t satisfied with good detail, they want great detail. And, that’s what they have done with this wheel well detail set. There are four resin cast pieces to the set, along with four pieces of copper wire to use for various hoses that would be virtually impossible to cast. Although, I’m sure they tried to figure out a way to do it. The main wheel well has so much detail molded in the one piece of resin, that I am still scratching my head on how they made the mold, with all of the undercuts that are present in the casting. What Academy takes seven separate molded parts to do, Aires has done in one. All of the hydraulic lines are there, as are the pumps, wires and junction boxes. There is a casting plug on it that’s a big as the gear well itself that has to be removed, but that’s it.

Review Author
Chad Richmond
Published on
April 24, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$16.50

Aires continues to produce some very finely detailed resin parts that upgrade the accuracy of model manufacturer’s releases. The Aires Hobby Models F-100C/D exhaust nozzle for the Trumpeter 1/72 F-100 is no exception. It is molded at the correct length, and comes with a very nice turbine complete with fins and a photo etch flame holder, plus a really nice ribbed burner can and exhaust. The interior of the burner can has only one barely perceptive seam on the inside, but I can certainly deal with it being there. When compared with the short, two pieces can from the kit, it’s a no brainer. I’m still trying to clean up the seams in the 1/8thinch space between the internal ridges. And there are no nasty ejector pin marks to clean up, either. I don’t know how Aires made the mold, but I’m happy with it. The kit burner can has two locator rings molded to it and corresponding grooves on each of the fuselage halves, which lock and align the can in place.

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
April 24, 2011
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$3.95

Quickboost added the top antenna for the tail of the FW 190A-4 to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in a cream colored resin, smooth, seamless and bubble free. One thing of note is that they are easy to remove from the mold block taking only a couple of minutes with a saw blade to remove them.

The package states that it is for the Tamiya kit but should work with any kit that you want to covert past an A-3 model. From what I’ve researched about the Tamiya kit, the 1/48thkit comes with the option to do the A-3 or A-4 but the 1/72 only comes as an A-3. Once again Quickboost comes to the rescue to let the 1/72ndmodeler have the same options. All that is needed is to cut along the seam line of the A-3 antenna and glue the A-4 antenna in place.