Reviews of scale model kits.

Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$71.00

Background and Historical Notes

From The Kit Manufacturer’s Notes:

Bronco NOGS US Attack Aircraft

In 1970, two OV-10A Bronco aircraft were modified to evaluate their nighttime combat capabilities. The modification was designated NOGS—Night Observation Gunship System. The aircraft received an extended nose section with a turret housing a forward-looking infrared system and laser rangefinder (FLIR) in its lower half. Under the mid-fuselage, engineers mounted a turret with a 20mm General Electric M197 three-barrel cannon, which was aimed using FLIR.

In late 1970, both aircraft were sent to China Lake Air Base for testing, and by April 1971, they were deployed to Vietnam for combat trials. Operating as part of the light attack squadron VAL-4 “Black Ponies,” the aircraft conducted evening and night missions. The YOV-10D aircraft flew in various configurations: either in pairs, paired with an OV-10A, or with an escort of two OV-10A aircraft.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Atlantis Model Company
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$36.99

Background

Atlantis Model Company was founded in 2009 by the former owners of Megahobby.com, Peter Vetri and Rick DelFavero. Atlantis manufactures injection-molded plastic model kits and hobby-related products. When they started Megahobby.com back in 2000, they had dreams of becoming more than just another retail hobby shop. They wanted to become an actual model production company like the Aurora Model Co. and Revell-Monogram. As Megahobby grew, it gave them the opportunity to create Atlantis and finally come out with our own branded model kits. On August 29th, 2018, Atlantis purchased the tooling for many plastic model kits from the new owners of Revell, Revell Inc. USA-Blitz Partners. These molds were from the tooling banks of Monogram, Revell, Aurora and Renwal, some dating back to the early 1950's. They were stored in Revell’s Elk Grove facility in Illinois and represent Automotive, Aircraft, Ships, Military, Figures, Space, and many other interesting subjects.

Review Author
Chris Vandegrift
Published on
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1:35
MSRP
$89.00

What really drew me to this release was the Aussie option! The Australians started getting the UH-60M in 2023, and traditionally they use it for long-range search and rescue in the Outback and over the ocean, making for some unique configurations. Academy has a long history with the Black Hawk mold, and they’ve taken full advantage of its popularity with new parts. In addition to the A60-001 import model, Academy has everything in this box to fit out a full Australian import version of the Black Hawk. Builds of the M seem few and far between, so I’ve tried to hit a lot of detail in this review for the competitive builder.

For everyone who wants instant gratification, let’s start with the pros and cons, then transition to the details!

Review Author
Jim Stepanek
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$51.99

What a kit!! No flash anywhere with excellent engravings and details.

When I first received the G4 kit I knew I had to do something different with it – I was going to make a surf rod out of it. Searching through my spare parts I found some Center Line wheels along with some wide tires. The first modification was to cut out the spare tire wells on the front fenders and then fill them in with styrene and Bondo. While the putty was setting up I frenched the taillights.

The 4 wheel drive rear suspension would be next. It’s a very detailed assembly and could be a model in its own. I used different colors of paint to bring out some of the details.

The engine was the next assembly and I went the different color paints to bring out some of the details.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Special Hobby
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$92.99

While you may not have heard of Special Navy before, they are in fact under the Special Hobby umbrella and offer naval vessels in 1/72 scale. This kit was a recent release when it was provided to the Review Corps at the IPMS-USA Nationals this past summer. While not for beginners (the kit contains nearly 500 parts), a modeler with some experience can produce a very nice looking Kriegsfischkutter with this kit.

Review Author
Joe Staudt
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$24.99

The Netflix show “Stranger Things” has taken the country by storm. In the early seasons, one of the major characters, Billy Hargrove, drove a Camaro that figured prominently as part of his image and of his downfall. Revell has recently released a kit to recreate this car. Let’s take a look.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Kovozávody Prostějoy
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$15.00

From the Kovozávody Prostějov instructions,

Morane-Saulnier MS.A.1 (also Type A1) was a French parasol-wing fighter aircraft produced by Morane-Saulnier during World War I. A number of escadrilles were created to operate the AI, but by mid-May 1918, most of the aircraft were replaced by the SPAD XIII. After structural problems had been resolved, the aircraft were then relegated to use as advanced trainers, with new purpose built examples being designated MoS 30. Many were used post-war after having been surplussed off, as aerobatic aircraft, including one which was flown by Charles Nungesser.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Kovozávody Prostějoy
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$17.50

I have long respected WWI era plane modelers. I respect 1/72 WWI era plane modelers even more. And now, I question my sanity after tackling this one. This is not a kit for a novice or even an uninterested intermediate modeler. With the right skill set and some other kits under your belt, and you want an Ansaldo S.V.A. 10, then this is your kit.

The Italian Ansaldo S.V.A. (Savoia-Verduzio-Ansaldo) was an interesting late WWI aircraft. Originally designed as a fighter, the S.V.A. 5 was determined to be inadequate for the role. However, its impressive speed, range and operational ceiling made it an excellent reconnaissance aircraft and light bomber. The S.V.A. 9 and 10 were essentially the same aircraft, with the former primarily an unarmed training aircraft, with its cockpit configured accordingly. The S.V.A. 10 was developed as a reconnaissance and light bomber aircraft that found success during the later stages of WWI and a successful export model in the post-war world.

Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
Agora Models
Scale
1/8
MSRP
$1,737.00

Agora Models is a UK company based in London, England that specializes in high-quality large scale models. Agora has administrative offices in Tokyo Japan, North Carolina, US, and in the United Kingdom. The models are shipped from five warehouses around the globe. The first IPMS review sample SAS Jeep Pack 1 was sent from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., USA.

Agora ships its models in 12 monthly parts, called ‘Packs’, that can spread the cost and workload over a longer period. The cost of a model does not change as the Packs are delivered. Agora continues production of the kit as Packs are released and does not release the first Pack without assurances that they can produce all parts of the kit. After production is complete, all Packs of a particular kit can be purchased at one time.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1:35
MSRP
$79.00

In the Box

The kit is a typical top opening box with 11 gray sprues, 1 clear parts sprue, 1 photo-etched (PE) sheet, and 1 die-cut masking sheet for the clear parts. Academy takes advantage of slide-molding to add more detail in raised rivet and recessed panel lines and the results are impressive. Also of note, sprue B & D comes from the AH-1Z Viper kit (Kit No: 12127) since in real life both helicopters use the same parts. For a list of unused parts, see page 14 in the bottom right of the instructions.

The box art is beautiful. For modelers who are wavering on owning this kit, it will help push them over the edge to build this Venom or add it to the collection.