Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Review Author
Steven J. Corvi
Published on
April 24, 2024
Company
Fab Scale
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$23.34

These F/A-18E/F/ [F 414] Exhaust Nozzles (for the Meng Kit primarily) are a recent release by the Chinese manufacturer Fab Scale. Fab Scale’s online presence is hard to find with the provided QR codes stating that the site can’t be reached. The same is for the supplier, Warspite Model Company. These are nice drop-fit replacements for the exhaust on the Meng kit and I suspect it would also fit the Hasegawa kit.

The sturdy box protects the three pieces, each in their own protective Ziplock pouch. There are no instructions included but since this is a rather simple assembly, it is not detrimental. The box art [line drawings] shows the arrangement of the three parts. I removed the 3D supports with a hobby knife, which was easy, and after a quick clean up the parts were ready for painting.

Book Author(s)
Lechosław Musiałkowski Illustrator: Andrej M. Olejniczak
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
April 23, 2024
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$25.00

MMP was founded in 1996 by Roger Wallsgrove, to publish "Mushroom Model Magazine". This quarterly modelling magazine was developed from "Mushroom Monthly”, a club newsletter which ran from 1985 to 1995, achieving a world-wide reputation for quality articles, fearless and honest reviews, and a great sense of humor.From 1997 the magazine was produced in collaboration with Robert Peczkowski and Artur Juszczak (Stratus), which meant a big leap in print quality and design. MMP expanded into book publication in 1999, and since then we have built up a list of books on aircraft and aviation, naval, military vehicles, and military history.

Review Author
David Horn
Published on
April 23, 2024
Company
Detail & Wonder
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$37.00

Overview

Detail & Wonder (D&W) is a new company that specializes in highly detailed 3D printed landing gear. The gear set comes in a sturdy box with parts secured in custom cut foam. A real nice color instruction booklet. There are four 3D printed groups, four cast wheels and six metal rods. Each landing gear section is printed with support and a “cage” protecting the delicate looking gear. The booklet gives details on how to trim the supports and what order to trim the supports.

Book Author(s)
Arian M. Balch
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
April 18, 2024
Company
Guideline Publications
MSRP
$27.00

The book goes into great detail of the development, service, variants, and full history of a classic British World War Two and post-war aircraft manufactured by Vickers under the names Viking, Valetta, and the Varsity. These were aircraft developed in response to the British review of the post-war Civil transportation needs. Later to be known as the Brabazon Committee.

I found this book so informative and full of facts and details of very little-known aircraft.

The articles on the variants that were explored during the development were especially interesting.

The book is full of extremely interesting photos of the aircraft in development, manufacturing, in service, etc. These would be great as references for aircraft enthusiasts.

Another nice touch is the inclusion of the “In Detail” section, showing aircraft profiles and 1/144 scale plans.

Book Author(s)
Michael Stephan
Review Author
Matthew Cottrell
Published on
April 18, 2024
Company
HMH Publications
MSRP
$52.00

For those unfamiliar with HMH Publications’ line of Duke Hawkings books, they are a series of softcover tomes featuring detailed walk-around photos of individual aircraft types. Their focus leans heavily towards aircraft in European use, with forays into common US aircraft. Today’s book is the first in the Duke Hawkings Presents line: Eagles Rock - 48th Fighter Wing - Where Combat Airpower Livesby Michael Stephan.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
April 11, 2024
Company
Fab Scale
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$12.99

A new 3D printed F-104 Starfighter Exhaust Nozzle set in 1/48th scale is provided by Fab Scale as a drop-in replacement for the Hasegawa kit utilizing the “Early” J79 engine.

Note: There is no official website for Fab Scale at the time of this review, but a few foreign hobby websites were selling this product.

In the Package and Product Notes

The sample review came in a small cardboard box and parts were individually wrapped in Ziploc bags.

There are three (3) parts of this exhaust nozzle set printed with pink salmon-colored resin. These parts replace kit parts R26, R27, U6 (2X), and K3. The printed resolution of the exhaust nozzle is very fine with no visible build up layers and the print quality is excellent.

Review Process

I started by separating the parts from their base by using side-cutting nippers. Next, wet sanding removed the remaining support nubs.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
April 11, 2024
Company
Fab Scale
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$15.72

A new 3D printed AN/ALE-50 Towed Decoy System in 1/48th scale is provided by Fab Scale as a drop-in replacement for the F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Tamiya kit.

Note: There is no official website for Fab Scale at the time of this review, but a few foreign hobby websites are selling this product.

In the Package and Product Notes

The sample review came in a plastic bag with a cardboard topper for a pegboard display.

Two (2) AN/ALE-50 units are printed with pink salmon-colored resin. These parts replace kit parts J30, J33, and J34. The printed resolution is very fine with no visible build-up layers and the print quality is excellent.

Review Process

I started by separating the parts from their base by using side-cutting nippers. Next, wet sanding removed the remaining support nubs.

Book Author(s)
Giuseppe Picarella
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
April 11, 2024
Company
Stratus
MSRP
$62.00

Introduction

This book is the second volume on the history and development of the Mitsubishi Ki-15/C5M high speed reconnaissance aircraft, which was used by the Japanese Army and Navy in numerous roles before and during the course of World War II.

Volume 1, which has already appeared in review on this site, provides an excellent account of the aircraft’s development and service during the war, and the second volume goes into incredible detail on various aspects of this aircraft’s career. The book provides information useful to the historian and modeler, and is profusely illustrated with very impressive drawings and photos of the aircraft in detail.

Book Author(s)
Andreas Rupprecht
Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
April 7, 2024
Company
Harpia Publishing
MSRP
$64.95

This is the author’s seventh book for Harpia Publications on Chinese military aviation and complements several of his earlier volumes by providing a more in-depth look at the Su-27/J-11 “Flanker” aircraft in Chinese service, including China’s acquisition, development, and operational use of the aircraft.

Since the first satellite images of the prototype Su-27 were released, the aircraft has evolved into one of the most capable and versatile fourth-generation aircraft. Over the years there have multiple variants developed by the Russians – Su-27, Su-30, Su-33, Su-34, and Su-35. It is often overlooked that the Chinese aviation industry has also developed several variants of its own, some paralleling those of Russia, but others being specifically tailored to China’s needs.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
April 7, 2024
Company
Detail & Wonder
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$33.79

Detail and Wonder is a new aftermarket company; they currently list The F-35 (Tamiya), F-4 (Meng), and recently the F-16 heavyweight (for later F-16C variants, Tamiya and by default, Kinetic) as target improvements for their products, producing landing gear with integral Wheels/tires/struts, Exhaust Nozzles, and some intake/exhaust FOD (Foreign Object Damage) prevention plugs. The subject of this review is the F-35A landing gear set; IPMS USA appreciates D&W providing us this set for review!

The packaging is frugal but effective; no parts breakage was noted on my set, and opening them revealed three strut assemblies encased in protective foam inserts to prevent movement and crushing.Included in the box are two main gear struts, two main gear brake and oleo assemblies, a nose gear in two parts, and a Photoetch fret (with floating parts internal to the fret and retained by adhesive protective cover plastic… no attachments to cut or clean up! YAY!)