As an airplane builder, one of the necessary but boring parts for me is sanding smooth and then restoring panel lines and rivets. UMM-USA has the solution for the rivets with multiple sets. We will look at MN-006 (1/48th scale rivets), MN-021 (1/32nd scale rivets) and MN-049 (for 1/32nd and 1/24th scale rivets). Each riveter comes with a comfortable plastic handle with a wheel containing cuts with the raised pegs representing the rivets.
The AMMO range of acrylic paints for figures has recently been expanded to include another new set of paints specifically designed for the US Marines in the Pacific Theater, the subject of this review.
Opening the box reveals a set of six industry-standard 17ml. ‘eyedropper’ style bottles of high-quality acrylic paint from their Ammo-Mig line, each containing a ‘stirring ball’ (a BB-sized steel ball to help mix the paint when shaking). The assumption is that the paint set would serve as a one-stop shop for producing the USMC uniform that bears its name, a favorite for military figure painters and armor modelers alike.
(From the Manufacturer’s Website)
(US Marines WWII Figures Set) Includes the colors used to represent the distinctive greenish tones of the jacket and trousers used during the war. These colors have been selected through rigorous research to ensure accuracy when creating highlights, adding volume, and define details.
Includes the colors:
During the IPMS USA Nationals this year, John Vojtech was kind enough to provide several of his tools from Unique Master Models (UMM) to the IPMS Review Corps, and this was the item I was fortunate enough to receive. Consisting of an ergonomic plastic handle with pyramid-shaped reamer tip, with a built-in label identifying the reamer size for quick recognition.
Measuring five inches in length, the reamer is quite comfortable to hold, and the pyramid-shaped tip is made of hardened tool steel. Useful for opening holes in kits used for attaching parts, opening existing holes, or cleaning the ends of tubing, there are many possibilities for using this reamer. The diminutive size will also allow for better control on smaller items.
I was lucky enough to pick this tool up from Phil at the IPMS National Convention in Omaha during the Reviewer Corp get together.
The text below was taken directly from the UMM web page and explains the Micro Mitre Box details better than I could:
MICRO MITRE BOX - MN048 XL (45° 90° 60°) cutting slots.
High Quality - MMB box with adjustable stop 110MM x 20MM x 14MM
- This aluminum micro mitre box is just 110mm long making it ideal for miniature work.
- Each unit has one 45 ° degree, one 90 °degree and 60 °degree angle cutting slots.
- For use with original JLC/CMK/HAULER razor saws (JLC001, JLC002 and JLC004 - thickness saw 0.12mm).
- It is used to cut square ends, perfect splices and mitered corners.
- The miter box has an adjustable stop.
We highly recommend this tool to all modelers who owns mini saw blades.
This set includes 5 medium (280) grit sanding sticks. To help those of us who are visually oriented, the sanding sticks are a nice orange color, which will help distinguish them from Squadron’s other sanding sticks quickly as each grit is a different. The sanding sticks have a nice thick piece of styrene in the center of each stick to give them some rigidity, which I found useful when sanding larger flat seams such as the wing seam on my original issue Airfix Vulcan.
The box advises you that the sanding sticks can be cut and shaped to fit specific needs or shapes, however they are not easy to cut due to the styrene piece in the center of the stick. I ended up using large house scissors and a sharp Xacto in order to cut off a part of the sanding stick.
About the Creators
Bases by Bill, LLC is one of those rare companies that began from love of the model building hobby, a good idea and true family involvement. They specialize in hand-finished hardwood display bases and cases and other presentation items for scale models.
I had the great pleasure of meeting them at the 2022 IPMS National Convention in Omaha, Nebraska. The company is operated by Bill & his son Weston and receives marketing and website support from his nephew Christian. It truly is a family company.
The growing number of 3D printed kits is a boon to the hobby. We are now getting 3D printed kits of subjects that are not economically viable in styrene and for subjects long ignored by the big manufactures. But, new technologies bring new problems. Removing the 3D printed parts from the support structures and rafts can be a bit of work and as I have discovered the resin will quickly dull your expensive sprue cutter! CMK from the Czech Republic comes to the rescue with a new razor saw handle with a triangular blade that is perfect for dealing with these supports.
Once again SAC comes up with a solution to the problem of failing Plastic Landing gear on a “different design” landing gear situation.
The idea of “dead cockroach” landing gear is not new; it is a solution to a problem aircraft designers have had to deal with for years. My personal favorite are all the Cessna’s (Cardinal and Skymaster come to mind) which had the gear partially extend or retract, making for dicey and spectacular landings when the pilot runs out of fuel and absolutely HAS to land. Videos are out there, go to Youtube or whatever to see for yourself.
A new, welcome release from prolific AMMO by Mig Jimenez, is this four-color acrylic paint set labelled for World War II Japanese Infantry. The paint comes in 17ml plastic bottles, complete with a stirring ball, in a clear plastic clamshell box. Also included is a color two-sided label with a very well painted World War II Japanese soldier with color callouts for the paints provided. While the paints can be procured individually, the four major colors are included (and most likely cheaper than buying them individually). The following paints are included:
The AMMO range of acrylic paints for figures has recently been expanded to include two new sets of paints specifically designed for the late war German Eichenlaubmuster (‘Maple Leaf’) and Erbsenmuster (‘Pea Dot’) camouflage schemes, the latter of which is the subject of this review.
Opening the box reveals a set of six industry-standard 17ml. ‘eyedropper’ style bottles of high-quality acrylic paint from their Ammo line. The assumption is that the paint set would serve as a one-stop shop for producing the intricate uniform pattern that bears its name. These complex schemes have been a favorite for military figure painters and armor modelers alike.
From the Manufacturer’s Website
The M44 Dot Pattern - This set includes the colors required to paint the distinctive and complex German Erbsenmuster (‘Pea Dot’) camouflage pattern, first delivered to the Waffen-SS in 1944.