If anyone knows me they know I love the AH-1 Cobra. I never had the opportunity to fly the AH-1G but I’ve always wanted to. Special Hobbies finally released their series of AH-1 models. For now they have just released the G model but it is an awesome little model. Like many modelers, I hope they release it in 1/48th and 1/35th scale someday.

The AH-1G had a slightly bulged canopy, which can cause a challenge for some modelers to mask. Special Hobbies was nice enough to produce the canopy doors separate so you can pose them open or closed. The masks will make this chore so much simpler. There are outline masks for the entire canopy framework. You will need liquid mask to fill in the center but Eduard provides the outline. Special Hobbies provides the option of having the ground handling wheels, which is a nice touch for the diorama builder. So naturally if there are wheels Eduard provides you with masks for them as well.

When the name John Vojtech is mentioned in the Modeling community, one of the first things that comes to mind if you are familiar with him is the level of detail usually associated in his models. Through John's desire for a higher level of detail he has created his own tool line to make it easier for modelers to achieve this level in their own models.

The Mini Punch and Die set is made with hardened steel and will allow you punch plastic and metal discs in sizes of 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6. I found the punches to be very sharp so you don't have to apply a lot of pressure and makes a nice clean cut. This set is great for adding those little details found in many different types of models.

AK Interactive makes all sorts of very nice modeling materials from books to weathering items to paints. This review covers their Luftwaffe Camouflages from their Air Series. Inside you will find eight 17 ml eyedropper bottles of paint specifically matched to WWII Luftwaffe colors. The following colors are included:

• Interior Colors - RLM 02 and RLM 66
• Bottom and Base Colors - RLM 65 and RLM 76
• Top and Mottle Colors - RLM 70, 71, 74, and 75

These can be used on many Luftwaffe planes, for example, Bf 109s, Fw 190s, Me 410s and He 219s. Most of these are early war colors. The paints are acrylic and are made by Vallejo. They are very fine grained and result in a medium-flat finish. AK recommends their AK712 thinner. Not having this, I tried a few other brands. The best substitute I found was Createx thinner/airbrush cleaner.

How does one apply glue in a small area with maximum control over the quantity applied and with precise application? Glue Looper has provided a tool that addresses both location and quantity.

Please note that Glue Looper provides very clear and specific instructions for the use of the product, so you won’t see a lengthy repeat of those instructions in this review. Also, please note that Glue Looper provides a “how to” video on their website. We all know that a picture, in this case a “moving picture,” is worth a thousand words, so take advantage of this video prior to using Glue Looper. Go to http://www.creativedynamicllc.com to view the video.

AK Interactive provides a set of three clear colors in this set. AK 267 Clear Orange, AK 265 Clear Red, and AK 266 Clear Green. These colors are perfect for navigation lights on aircraft, turn signals on cars, lighting on armor, lighting and windows on spacecraft, and even jewerly on figures.

In tests, all three colors did precisely what AK advertised they would do. When applied, the end product is a very realistic approximation of a color tinted bulb, or light cover. AK states that a new formula prevents the issue of a ring or rim of “Paint” around the area to which the colors are applied, and my tests verify this claim.

These tests consisted of the application of each color on an un-prepared plastic surface. In some tests I applied each color to the tip of a thread of stretched sprue. The Paint dried in a matter of minutes and has a smooth Surface and a transluscent appearance.