Reviews of scale model detail sets.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
May 1, 2023
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$18.95

The Item

If you want to bring your 1:32 scale Nieuport XXI model kit to the next level, this excellent white metal cast detail set is just the thing for you. This 9-piece complete gear set with struts not only provides sturdy, fully detailed parts replacements, but they are specifically designed to fit the attachment points of the Copper State Models kit.

Remove the parts from the casting stubs so as to avoid bending them. As with other SAC sets, there are minimal casting seams on the parts that will need to be removed. Simple scraping, filing, or sanding makes for easy clean-up. After removal from the casting stubs, the parts can be carefully polished with a rotary tool brush, then primed and painted. Because of their malleable nature the parts can be gently bent for a proper profile and perfect fit

All-in-all this set will definitely enhance the appearance of your Nieuport XXI model.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
May 1, 2023
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.95

The Item

If you want to bring your 1:48 scale Gnat T.1 XP505 variant model kit to the next level, this excellent white metal cast detail set is just the thing for you. This 3-piece complete probe set not only provides sturdy, fully detailed parts, but they are specifically designed to fit the ICM models kit.

Remove the parts from the casting stubs so as to avoid bending them. As with other SAC sets, there are minimal casting seams on the parts that will need to be removed. Simple scraping, filing, or sanding makes for easy clean-up. After removal from the casting stubs, the parts can be carefully polished with a rotary tool brush, then primed and painted. Because of their malleable nature the parts can be gently bent for a proper profile and perfect fit.

*NOTE: S&M Models produces a decal sheet which contains markings for the test aircraft XP505 which was fitted with these unique test probes. are required for authenticity.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
May 1, 2023
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$19.95

The Item

If you want to bring your 1:48 scale Do 217J model kit to the next level, this excellent white metal cast detail set is just the thing for you. This 12-piece complete gear set with spats not only provides sturdy, fully detailed parts replacements, but they are specifically designed to fit the attachment points of the ICM Models kit.

Remove the parts from the casting stubs so as to avoid bending them. As with other SAC sets, there are minimal casting seams on the parts that will need to be removed. Simple scraping, filing, or sanding makes for easy clean-up. After removal from the casting stubs, the parts can be carefully polished with a rotary tool brush, then primed and painted. Because of their malleable nature the parts can be gently bent for a proper profile and perfect fit

All-in-all this set will definitely enhance the appearance of your Do 217J model.

Review Author
Luke R. Bucci, PhD
Published on
April 30, 2023
Company
Gold Medal Models
Scale
1/700
MSRP
$19.00

Thanks to Squadron Hobbies for the Gold Medal PE set and IPMSUSA staff for handling the request and publishing this review.

Bottom Line

One of the original 1/700 PE sets for WW2 IJN aircraft carriers, designed to complete at least one carrier and having specific parts for 12 carriers. GMM IJN Carrier PE set is basic, supplying generic railings, antenna masts, 3-bladed aircraft props, flight deck nets, inclined & vertical ladders and two Type 22 radars for any IJN aircraft carrier, as well as specific details for older kits of Akagi, Amagi/Katsuragi, Hiryu, Junyo, Kaga, Ryujo, Shinano, Shokaku/ Zuikaku, Soryu and Unryu from early original-molds Aoshima, Fujimi, Hasegawa and Tamiya kits. Still serviceable for more recent IJN carrier kits, including Hiyo, the sister carrier to Junyo which appeared later.

Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
April 30, 2023
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$13.50

Contents Description

Packaged within the recognizable clear wrapping with the bright orange Quickboost logo, you will find one instruction sheet and three resin castings. As with every Quickboost product, the quality is outstanding.

Instruction Guide

The fold-out instructional sheet shows the three casting parts on the left-hand side and the assembly guide on the right-hand side. It is important to note that the intended kit for this set is the 1/32 Kitty Hawk OV-10D. As indicated by the instructions, the Quickboost resin castings will replace kit parts H23 and H24.

Construction

Being that these are replacement parts, the construction is very straightforward. Carefully remove the parts from the casting blocks. I used a sharp #11 blade to make a score line and then used a microsaw to fully remove the parts. Caution: the resin pylons have two small mounting pins. Do not cut them off! The forward pin is tricky to spot.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
April 30, 2023
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.10

The Subject

The Studebaker US6 (G630) was a series of 2+1⁄2-ton 6×6 and 5-ton 6×4 trucks manufactured by the Studebaker Corporation and REO Motor Car Company during World War II. The basic cargo version was designed to transport a 2+1⁄2-short-ton (5,000 lb; 2,300 kg) cargo load over any type of terrain in any weather. Most of these were exported to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease by the USA during World War II, since the competing GMC 6×6 CCKW design proved to be more suitable for Western Front conditions. (Source - Wikipedia)

The Item

If you want to bring your Studebaker US-6 Cargo Truck model kit to the next level, this excellent photoetch detail set is just the thing for you. This extensive PE sheet has most of the appliqués that can be added to the kit to provide a fully detailed rendering of the Studebaker vehicle.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
April 12, 2023
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$5.29

So, we have a 1/144 Mustang out there from Platz/Eduard, and an interior detail set from Eduard as well, available on in their own release. The canopy on the basic kit is closed, and within the limits of thickness which can be successfully injected. It fits and looks nice (and the Eduard kit has a masking set to go with it.

Insane? Yep. But an open cockpit requires an open canopy. HEAVY insanity. I had to try it. Tweezers: yep. Magnifier for vision: Mandatory Ham hands: Standard.

Here is where Brengun excels! They provide a set of four canopies in a clear plastic envelope which allows (with careful, NEW scalpel or #11 blade work) an open canopy!

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
April 12, 2023
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$16.94

This set is designed for use with Modelsvit’s Su-17, Su-20 and Su-22 kits and fits both the 2017 and 2014 kits.

The set provides replacement parts for both the nose landing gear and both main landing gear and is comprised of thirteen parts, five for the nose gear assembly and four for each main landing assembly. The nose gear parts include the nose wheel, but the main gear parts do not. The cast parts are designed to be drop-in replacements for the kit parts.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
March 25, 2023
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.34

This set from Brengun provides parts to build ten 100lb bombs. Each bomb consists of a resin main body and four photoetched parts to represent the fins and the fuse arming prop on the nose. Separating the bombs from the pour gates is quickly done as they have a pouring extension on the front and are attached to a runner of five at the back. Attaching the fin assemblies requires removing three parts from the photoetch fret. These parts are done in brass and are not only thin, but easy to cut off and clean up. The fin assembly requires the builder to cut a cross hatched slot on the back of each resin bomb. The instructions suggest using a knife, but I found it easier to use a very thin saw blade. Interlocking fin legs are inserted into the slot and a fin “box” is formed by folding the PE part into a square and inserting it into the fin legs. The trick is getting all these parts to align. I didn’t get a usable copy till the third try.

Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
March 13, 2023
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$19.95

The Zoukei-Mura 1/32 Henschel Hs 129 B-2/RIII was first released in 2019. A new tool version of a Hs 129-B3 was released in 2022.

This SAC landing gear kit is formed of white metal and has excellent detail, as is customary with all SAC products. There are a total of 16 parts. Very little clean up is necessary. There is no visible flash on any of the pieces. After detaching, a light sanding of the spurs is all that is needed. Prior to priming and painting, it is recommended to wash the parts in a mild dish detergent solution to remove any mold release, finger oils, etc.

This replacement set is very nicely detailed and for a large kit such as the Hs 129 B-2RIII, it is an excellent way to increase the sturdiness of your model. I highly recommend this replacement set.

Thank you to Scale Aircraft Conversions for supplying this sample, and thank you for IPMS for the privilege to review it.