When the reviewer corps received Squadrons B-24J “Dragon and His Tail” kit, I said heck yeah, I’ll do it. By the way, I actually used my training and worked a bunch of sheet metal and other stuff on a B-24 over the years when I was the MX rep for a Museum; Specifically, the Willow run Ford-built “J” model Serial Number 44-48781that was, until recently, at Barksdale AFB and is now at Savannah. I also have Bert Kinsey and Rock Roszak’s B-24 Liberator collaboration with Detail and Scale sitting next to me as I write this.
The recent Eduard P-51B in 1/32 was quite the hit at the recent IPMS Nats in Fort Wayne. A 1/32 P-51B is rare, and this is only the second kit in this scale (the other is Trumpeter’s 2009 release). Eduard’s new release is billed as their first Royal Hybrid kit (which represents a premium extension of the standard Eduard Hybrid line), consisting of injected molded plastic, 3D printing, and cast resin parts, decals, canopy masks and wheel well masking plugs.
From the Eduard website:
The Royal Hybrid edition kit of the famous US fighter aircraft P-51B Mustang in 1/32 scale.
The kit offers markings for 8 aircraft of 8th and 9th Air Force
The iconic Messerschmitt Bf 109 almost doesn’t need an introduction as it is ubiquitous with the WWII German Luftwaffe. The E "Emil" variant was the standard Luftwaffe fighter at the start of the Second World War, and it was also the only single-engined Luftwaffe fighter in use during the Battle of Britain. The “Emil” variant was short-lived as improvements were constant, being replaced by the 109F in 1941.
Scale Aircraft Conversion has produced its famous white metal landing gear for the Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1/E-3/E-4/E-7 in 1/48 scale. As aircraft modelers well know, aircraft models displayed on their landing gear are susceptible to damage from the weight of the model, especially on styrene landing gear.
This book contains 88 pages, 62 b/w photos, 39 color photos, 16 color profiles, 1 color map, 4 diagrams, and 12 tables. It covers the war plans, policy, manufacturers, and SAC from 1945 to 1990. This is done in two chapters.
The world post WWII presented many challenges for the USAAC/USAF. The need to carry atomic weapons and to deliver them deep into the Soviet Union in time of war was paramount! This book is broken down into two chapters. The first takes up 22 pages and covers and covers how aircraft increased in size and complexity with focus on the development of more powerful engines, both jet and piston to power these aircraft.
Aires has provided the Reviewer Corps with a resin replacement of the Fine Molds Mitsubishi F-2A/B Exhaust Nozzle in the closed position. The sample review item comes in a cardboard backed plastic blister package. There are no instructions, but it does reference this is a replacement part for A48.
This is a traditional pour into a mold resin part, not 3D printed. The detail in 1/72 scale is small, yet very fine. The scribed exterior exhaust petal detail is thin and scale appropriate and the internal petals have detailed horizontal ribbing to allow a dark wash to give it more depth.
Conclusions
This is a great traditional resin part if you want to replace the Fine Molds Mitsubishi F-2A/B exhaust nozzle in 1/72nd scale. Just wash and add paint. Highly Recommend to everyone who wants to add more accurate detail to their J.A.S.D.F Mitsubishi F-2A/B!
Aries has provided this very nice resin upgrade for the Trumpeter Kit for the weapons pylons on the early version of the A-1 Skyraider.
The set includes 50 resin parts and a single sided instruction sheet.
All the parts are very detailed and will add a lot of details to the current kit details.
The parts are produced with no flash or material to remove.
In conclusion these parts will add so much more details to the standard kit.
Thanks go to Aries for providing this kit to review and IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it for them.
ICM has been producing a series of high-quality twin-engine bombers on a 1/48 scale, like the Ju-88, He-111, Ki-21, Beaufort, just to name a few. Now the Handley Page HP.52 “Hampden” has joined the club!
This boxing is for the Hampden TB.Mk.1 (TB stands for Torpedo Bomber) and has markings for 4 different Hampden airframes, likely covering all the different camouflage schemes used by the Torpedo Bomber variant of the Hampden.
The kit arrives in a sturdy white box (no markings in the box) with a separate lid providing the cover art and details of what is inside the white box. There is a total of 12 sprues with 301 parts, plus a decal sheet and an instruction book which also provides you with mask templates for the complex nose, canopy and defensive gun turrets.
From the Air War Publications website:
The story of Luftwaffe night fighter airmen and their operations on the Eastern Front is one that defies the traditional stereotype of the Germans as well-organised and meticulous planners. Instead, it emphasises their successful improvisation in the face of unanticipated problems and a very tough Soviet opponent.
Quickboost has provided the Reviewer Corps with drop-in resin replacement ejection seats for the Kinetic Gold F-16I Sufa in 1/48th scale.
In the Package and Product Notes
The sample review came in a plastic bag with cardboard backing. There are instructions included and they show how to assemble the seats.
There are four pieces from traditional resin pour moldings and one 3D generated for the finer details of the grab-handle and canopy breakers. The quality is excellent with incredible fine detail.
Conclusions
Highly Recommended! This is wonderful resin replacement ejection seat. Very fine details and all you really need to do is assemble and paint. It will add more interest to the cockpit of your 1/48th scale F-16I Sufa.
I want to thank Aires and Quickboost for providing the resin set and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review.
Highly Recommend to everyone who wants to add more detail to their F-16I Sufa!
Quickboost has provided the Reviewer Corps with resin upgrade replacement detail for Academy’s PBY-5 Catalina Correct Cowlings with closed flaps in 1/72nd scale.
In the Package and Product Notes
The sample review came in a plastic bag with cardboard backing. There are instructions for this set, and it will show you how to integrate the new parts along with the kit’s parts.
There are traditional pour moldings for the cowlings, flaps, side air intakes, and 3D printed parts for the engine extension. The quality is excellent with very fine detail.
Please note, since this is a resin part, Superglue (CA) or another bonding agent will be needed to secure the headrest to the kit plastic.
Conclusion
This is a great resin part upgrade if you want to add more detail and correct the Academy PBY-5 Catalina engine cowlings.
I want to thank Aires and Quickboost for providing the resin set and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review.
