Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
March 27, 2024
Company
Detail & Wonder
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$31.85

A new set of 3D printed F-16 Fighting Falcon landing gear in 1/48th scale is provided by Detail & Wonder Studios for the Tamiya kit. This is a drop-in replacement for the Tamiya kit.

Note: There is no official website for Detail & Wonder Studios, but a Facebook page is available.

In the Package and Product Notes

The sample review I received came in a small black box with tape stating “Test Set.” However, I did find on their Facebook page a box with the printed label.

There are four (4) 3D printed parts, three (3) resin poured wheels, and bag containing a metal rod and tube. A bonus is an attractive photo etched metal placard for your F-16 to add to its base if so desired.

The printed resolution of the landing gear is incredible. There is a lot of amazing and tiny detail throughout the entire 3D print and some careful painting and contrast weathering will make them pop.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
March 27, 2024
Company
Detail & Wonder
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$21.91

Detail and Wonder (D&W) is a new aftermarket company; They currently list The F-35, F-4, and recently the F-16 as target kit improvements for their products, (Tamiya F-35A, Meng F-4E, and Tamiya F-16, which means it will work on the Kinetic copy) 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-35 Augmentor Exhaust and intake/exhaust plugs… IPMS USA is grateful to D&W for providing us this set to review!

The packaging is frugal but effective; no parts breakage noted on my set, and opening them revealed one exhaust nozzle and three separate intake/exhaust plug parts encased in protective foam inserts to prevent movement and crushing.

The printer resin is an almost-black color, and the wheels are medium gray.

Review Author
Bob LaBouy
Published on
March 25, 2024
Company
Warspite Model Company
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$24.00

3D basics: I really fell down the rabbit hole in this respect and very quickly found a whole bunch of information about the ‘art’ of 3D printing and other basics. While I can’t say I’ve mastered anything, I suggest that you consider these URLs as a jumping off point: Tom's 3D for basic information, Plugnplay3D, and 3D Printer Anatomy: 50 parts in 5 minutes (Basics).

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
March 25, 2024
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$64.99

Arma Hobby has produced this kit for its tenth anniversary. Following the successes of its previous 1/48 scale Hurricanes (Mk IIc, Mk IIb, and now a Sea Hurricane Mk IIc), this “Anniversary Special Edition” Mk IIc comes with new parts. The Hurricane Mk IIc differs from the Mk IIb with the armament being four 20mm Hispano cannons instead of twelve .303 Browning machine guns.

From the Arma Hobby Website:

At the beginning of November, Arma Hobby celebrates its 10th anniversary! On this occasion, for modelers, we have prepared a special, jam-packed anniversary model kit - Hurricane IIC "Jubilee" in 1/48 scale.

This is a set with marking schemes from Operation "Jubilee" - the Allied Dieppe landing, with a box filled with a full set of 3D-printed resin accessories. This unique kit is released in a small, limited series for the 10th anniversary of Arma Hobby and will not be reissued!

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
Fab Scale
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.99

These J-79 Exhaust Nozzles (for the Kinetic Kit No. 48083 primarily, and K48090 and K48093, and most likely any F-104 Starfighter that utilized the J-79 General Electric axial-flow turbojet engine) are a recent release by 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. It is a shame as this three-piece exhaust nozzle set is exquisite!

The sturdy box protects the three pieces, each in their own protective Ziplock pouch. The instructions are the box art which shows the arrangement of the three parts. Removal of the 3D supports with a razor saw is easy and, after a quick wash, ready for assembly.

Review Author
Rick Reinert
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$64.99

Introduction

This is a continuation in the Hawker Hurricane series being released by Arma Hobby. This is the fourth release in the Hurricane series. Previous releases included the Mk IIc and Mk IIc tropical, and the Mk IIc “Jubilee”. The Sea Hurricane (Mk IIc) is their next release. I believe that this review will be applicable to any of their Hurricanes. It is obviously a common molding for all variants.

Reviewer’s Comments

I recently reviewed the Hobby Boss Hurricane Mk IIc and I thought it would be great to review an Arma hurricane as a comparison.

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
Fab Scale
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.99

A new set of 3D printed F-16 LAU-129 Missile Launcher in 1/48th scale (4 pieces) is provided by Fab Scale for the Tamiya kit. This is a drop-in replacement for the Tamiya kit for launchers that hold AIM-9 Sidewinders or AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.

Note: There is no official website for Fab Scale, a business card was inside the box referencing Scalemates.com

In The Package & Product Notes

The sample review I received came in a small plastic box wrapped in a Ziploc bag and surrounded by foam.

There are four (4) 3D printed LAU-129 missile launchers printed with pink salmon colored resin. These parts can replace C28 & C29 from the Tamiya kit.

The printed resolution of the missile launcher is amazing. There is a lot of tiny detail throughout the entire part and some careful painting and contrast weathering will make them pop.

Review Author
Jason Holt
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
ICM
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$87.99

The Gotha Go-242 was a World War II Luftwaffe Transport Glider. Typically towed by another aircraft into combat, the glider would release, land, and then deploy its cargo of men and material. It was used in France, Africa, and the Eastern Front for the German Army. There were different variants designed which featured different landing gear configuration as well as one that had engines. ICM has produced these different versions as well in the following kits. (48224 Go-244B and 48226 Go-242A)

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
Fab Scale
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$19.99

A new 3D printed F-16 Exhaust Nozzle set in 1/48th scale is provided by Fab Scale as drop-in replacements for the Tamiya kit (General Electric F110 engine).

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

In The Package & Product Notes

The sample review came in a small cardboard box and parts are 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 A18, H12 & H3. The printed resolution of the exhaust nozzle is very fine with no build up layers and the print quality is excellent.

Review Process

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

Review Author
Pat Villarreal
Published on
March 21, 2024
Company
Fab Scale
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.99

A new F-16 one-piece 3D printed resin intake in 1/48th scale is provided by Fab Scale for the Tamiya kit.This is a drop-in replacement for the Big Mouth intake for the GE F110 Engine. Sample comparison Tamiya kit is from Block 50.

Note: There is no official website for Fab Scale, a business card was inside the box referencing Scalemates.com

In The Package & Product Notes

The sample review came in a small plastic box and was wrapped in a Ziploc bag.

There is one (1) 3D printed part made from white colored resin. This part will replace H5 & H9 from the Tamiya kit.

The printed resolution of this intake is excellent and is an exact replica of the Tamiya parts but without the seam running horizontally on the sides.

Review Process

I started by separating the 3D part from its base using side-cutting nippers. Next, wet sanding to remove the support nubs.