Reviews of scale model detail sets.

Review Author
Tim Hortman
Published on
January 31, 2011
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$5.00

Master Model was a new name for me. I had not heard of them before nor had I seen any of their product lines. After this review sample arrived I can safely say I am more than impressed with the quality of their work! This new group from Poland has quite a line of brass detail parts on the market. Here I will be looking at one of their new sets: 1/72 WWII Japanese Type 99 20mm Mark 2 Cannon Barrels (set of 4).

Packaged in a small plastic bag, with a cardboard backing & header were four of the nicest brass parts I have seen. Master Model’s brass parts are very finely turned brass parts that look like the real thing – only much, much smaller! All I can say when I looked at these parts was “WOW – How did they do that?!?”

Review Author
Robert Folden
Published on
January 28, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$19.95

Well known for their exceptional photo-etched parts, Eduard recently crossed over to the resin world with the introduction of the Eduard “BRASSIN” line. The sets under this line consist of high quality resin castings with Eduard’s exception photo-etched parts. [Some sets also contain color photo-etch and/or mask sets.] The latest in this new product line is a 1/48th scale engine set for the F-16N. The set consists of the exhaust and the intake fans for F-16’s powered by the F110 GE-100 engine. While billed for the Tamiya kit, the set can be used for any F-16 featuring this engine.

Review Author
Robert Folden
Published on
January 28, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$10.99

Aires has long been known for their superb resin detail sets. Recently, Aires launched a new detail set line known as Wheelliant. The new line uses a smooth cast resin that captures even the minutest details. Sculpting in multi-piece, highly detailed sets, the new line offers modelers an excellent alternative to kit parts.

Review Author
Robert Folden
Published on
January 27, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.95

Anyone who has ever worked with photo-etched parts knows the most frustrating part is attaching it to the model part. Especially if it is very nice color photo-etch. Well, Eduard, the leading photo-etch maker, has come to the rescue. Eduard started the color photo-etch revolution, and now has taken to making those same color parts self-adhesive. Two new sets in this S.A. line are for the 1/48 Hasegawa SH-3 Sea King helicopter.

This set [FE511] is part of Eduard’s ZOOM line and contains just the color cockpit parts. The set is S.A. and featured amazing printed detail that, at least for me, could not be reproduced by hand. The set includes the instrument panels, control levers, and seat belts. The fret comes on a waxed paper backing and adheres well to the plastic part. Eduard’s standard high quality instruction sheet is easy to read and leave little doubt as to where or how a part is put on the model.

Review Author
Robert Folden
Published on
January 27, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$29.95

Anyone who has ever worked with photo-etched parts knows the most frustrating part is attaching it to the model part. Especially if it is very nice color photo-etch. Well, Eduard, the leading photo-etch maker, has come to the rescue. Eduard started the color photo-etch revolution, and now has taken to making those same color parts self-adhesive. Two new sets in this S.A. (Self Adhesive) line are for the 1/48 Hasegawa SH-3 Sea King helicopter.

The includes the color cockpit details, as well as a second fret containing detail parts for rest of the cabin interior including jumpseat, grab handles, equipment stacks, and various panels. As with all Eduard products, the detail is well rendered, and the parts are cleanly etched and easy to work with.

Review Author
Luke R. Bucci, PhD
Published on
January 26, 2011
Company
Fine Molds
Scale
1/700
MSRP
$17.95

Bottom Line: As good as it gets for some, but not all, boat davit types for World War 2 IJN destroyers. Wish I had these for all those IJN DDs I have already built.

Fine Molds has been producing a line of very finely detailed and realistically close-to-scale aftermarket equipment sets for World War 2 Imperial Japanese navy warships with injection-molded plastic. These sets use advanced molding techniques to product very small parts with exceptional detail. Combined with historical accuracy and attention to detail makes Fine Molds Nano Dread sets ideal for upgrading WW2 ships. They have an advantage over photoetch metal sets by being three-dimensional, easier to handle, no folding or assembly required, rigid, stronger and just plain better-looking. Set WA11 is specifically for half of the boat davit types for WW2 IJN destroyer (DD) classes – the radial type.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
October 10, 2021
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$12.99

Aires has added a set of 1/32 Spitfire resin wheels/tires (with paint masks) to their continually growing line of detail parts. Although labeled for Mk.IX Spitfires, these wheels are appropriate replacements for those found on most marks. The set features the early four-spoke wheels with typical smooth tires. They easily will fit the new Tamiya kits as well as the PCH kits and the earlier offerings from Hasegawa and Revell. Detail is exquisite…the hubs even exhibit the recessed valve stem and the tires have a realistic flat bottom with just the hint of a bulge. All appears to be spot on, as our friends in the UK might say.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
January 11, 2011
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$22.40

Master Model is known for producing high quality brass armament for aircraft and ship models. This new offering, AM-24-004, Hispano 20mm brass cannon for the AM-24-004, is another fine addition to this line of products.

The Master Model parts replace all four of the 20mm cannons that are included in the Airfix kit. It is necessary to remove and use the breaches from the kit parts but the barrels can be discarded. Assembly is straightforward and documented on the instruction card contained in the Master Model package.

One begins by removing the breach from the original Airfix cannons and by drilling a receiving hole in each breach. The depth and diameter of the receiving hole can be determined by identifying the locating pin on the brass barrel part that butts up against the breach.

Review Author
Andy Renshaw
Published on
January 10, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$43.50

When looking at our models we like to have something to look at both up front, and at the rear. Many aircraft kits are lacking in both of these areas, and Aires at least is taking care of both. This set deals with the rear area of the F-14B or D, which are both powered by the General Electric F110-GE engine. This is also the same engine found in many other aircraft, including various blocks of the F-16, F-2, and recently the F-15K. For the Tomcat, the F100 is the F100-GE-400 variant. With the introduction of this engine the F-14 experienced a substantial improvement in performance, reliability, and safety. Performance was increased enough that an F-14B or D does not need afterburner for a cat launch off a carrier.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
January 10, 2011
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.80

Quickboost has introduced a drop in replacement set of props for the Kinetic/Italeri 1/48th scale E2C Hawkeye. The set comes with 2 sets of replacement blades, 2 complete one piece spinners and a jig to insure proper alignment of the blades. Casting is perfect with no flash, air voids and any imperfections at all.

Looking closely at the parts, one advantage to the Quickboost set is that the leading edges of the props and the ends have engraved lines where the kits are raised. Not a big issues but it is about time saving. Also, if you bought the modern version of the E2C with the 8-bladed props, you can use these to convert back. The jig is an excellent tool and insures proper alignment of the parts.

Simple install, perfect casting and great convenience are all in this set and is what Quickboost is about. My Thanks to David Lajer and Quickboost for the review sample and this is a recommended set.