Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.95

This is the second masking set designed for Eduard’s new MiG-21MF kits. The first set, CX511, provides masks not only for the canopy and the windscreen, but also for the HUD, the underwing landing lights, and the antenna panels on the vertical tail, the ventral fin, the wing leading edges and a number of smaller ones under the wings and fuselage. This set, CX512, adds additional masks allowing you to paint the interior color on the inside of the canopy instead of just on the outside. This will result in a much more realistic finish for the canopy, especially if you are going to pose it open. Like CX511, but unlike many of Eduard’s other masking sets, this one does not include masks for the tires or wheel hubs.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$165.00

Eduard has released a limited edition version of the B-24 Liberator GR Mk VI and GR MK.VIII in the RAF Coastal Command service. The kit is based on the Hasegawa kit plus two additional Eduard sprues, Decals, etc.

In the box is:

  • 11 x grey sprues
  • 2 x clear sprues
  • 4 x poly caps
  • 1 large decal sheet
  • 1 mask sheet
  • 2 x photoetch detail set
  • Riders in the Sky 1945 book
  • 1 instruction booklet
  • 1 box artwork poster

The kit options and decals allow building 13 different aircraft, all the choices are great. I opted for the M version, an RCAF aircraft operated in Canada July 1945. The kit looks awesome in the box and all the additional items make this a great addition to any stash.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
CMK
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$4.30

CMK has produced a very nicely detailed set of block treaded wheels for the 1/72 Special Hobby P-40/Kittyhawk kits. The supplied items include the block tread tires and separate hubs in two options. Although made for the Special Hobby P-40/Kittyhawk kits, these wheels should be adaptable to any of the 1/72 P-40/Kittyhawk IV kits currently on the market, for a smart upgrade to lackluster kit wheels.

The wheels are nicely molded from a 3D-printed master, with no flash or pitting. Tread detailing is fine on the tires, as are the two supplied options for the separate spoked or closed hubs.

Be sure to wash the parts in soapy water to remove mold release agents and prime prior to using your favorite modeling paints.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the IPMS Reviewer Corps and CMK for the opportunity to review this item.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
CMK
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$4.30

CMK has produced a very nicely detailed resin seat for the 1/72 Special Hobby P-40E/K/M & N-1 kits. The supplied items include the seat frame. Although made for the Special Hobby P-40 kits, with some prudent sanding to fit, the seat should be adaptable to any of the 1/72 P-40E/K/M and N-1 kits currently on the market. I dry-fitted to my Academy example (see photos).

The seat is nicely molded from a 3D-printed master, with no flash or pitting. Ribbed detailing is fine on both front and rear of the seat, and includes molded on harnesses.

Be sure to wash the parts in soapy water to remove mold release agents and prime prior to using your favorite modeling paints.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the IPMS Reviewer Corps and CMK for the opportunity to review this item.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
CMK
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.50

CMK has produced a very nicely detailed set of cockpit sidewalls and control column for the 1/72 Special Hobby P-40/Kittyhawk kits. The supplied items include the left and right cockpit walls and separate control column. Although made for the Special Hobby P-40/Kittyhawk kits, this set should be adaptable to any of the 1/72 P-40/Kittyhawk IV kits currently on the market, for a smart upgrade to lackluster kit cockpits. I used mine in a Hasegawa P-40E example (see photos).

The panels and detailing are nicely molded from a 3D-printed master, with no flash or pitting. Framing and instrument detailing is fine on the walls, as is the supplied control stick.

Be sure to wash the parts in soapy water to remove mold release agents and prime prior to using your favorite modeling paints.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the IPMS Reviewer Corps and CMK for the opportunity to review this item.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
CMK
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$4.30

CMK has produced a very nicely detailed resin seat for the 1/72 Special Hobby Kittyhawk IV kit. The supplied items include the seat frame, with the British Sutton Harness molded on. Although made for the Special Hobby Kittyhawk IV kits, the seat should be adaptable to any of the 1/72 Kittyhawk IV kits currently on the market. I dry-fitted to my Academy example (see photos).

The seat is nicely molded from a 3D-printed master, with no flash or pitting. Ribbed detailing is fine on both front and rear of the seat, as are the molded on harnesses.

Be sure to wash the parts in soapy water to remove mold release agents and prime prior to using your favorite modeling paints.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the IPMS Reviewer Corps and CMK for the opportunity to review this item.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$59.95

The MiG-21 attributed itself during the Vietnam War quite well against the US Air Force and US Navy. The small fast airframe accompanied with the limitations imposed by the US command allowed the Vietnamese Air Force to reach something close to parity.

Eduard has released the MiG-21PFM previously but this boxing is specifically targeted to the Vietnamese use of the airframe.

Review Author
Clarence Wentzel
Published on
Company
Advanced Modeling
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.99

Background

The Sukhoi Su-24 “Fencer” has been in service with the Russian air forces for over 40 years. It is a rugged, variable wing sweep bomber that is easy to fly and well-liked by the two-man crew. A number of kits have been produced of this aircraft and recently, the Advanced Modeling company has released some decal sets that depict the Fencer in modern markings.

This sheet, “Chelyabinsk Eagles Pt. 2”, along with the Pt. 1 sheet, represent various Su-24 aircraft that are based at the Shagol Air Base, near the city of Chelyabinsk near the border with Kazakhstan. When the regiment was first deployed to Chelyabinsk in September of 2010, the aircraft were painted in a variety of schemes and needed repainting. Before re-paint, at least two of the aircraft featured large eagles on the right side of the nose. It was decided to keep these eagle emblems during the repaint. That is the reason behind the name of this sheet – Chelyabinsk Eagles.

Review Author
Clarence Wentzel
Published on
Company
Advanced Modeling
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.99

Background

The Sukhoi Su-24 “Fencer” has been in service with the Russian air forces for over 40 years. It is a rugged, variable wing sweep bomber that is easy to fly and well-liked by the two-man crew. Several kits have been produced of this aircraft and recently, the Advanced Modeling company has released some decal sets that depict the Fencer in modern markings.

This sheet, “Chelyabinsk Eagles Pt. 1”, along with the Pt. 2 sheet, represents various Su-24 aircraft that are based at the Shagol Air Base, near the city of Chelyabinsk near the border with Kazakhstan. When the regiment was first deployed to Chelyabinsk in September of 2010, the aircraft were painted in a variety of schemes and needed repainting. Before re-paint, at least two of the aircraft featured large eagles on the right side of the nose. It was decided to keep these eagle emblems during the repaint. That is the reason behind the name of this sheet – Chelyabinsk Eagles.

Book Author(s)
Angus Konstam
Review Author
Marc K. Blackburn
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$20.00

The newest series for Osprey has moved from the land and the sea to the air. Whereas their previous series’ focused on large land and naval campaigns, this series turns its focus to well-known air campaigns. Using the tried and true format that Osprey has perfected, the volume has several full color plates rendered by an artist attempting to capture critical moments in the campaign, historical photographs, maps, and lots of charts comparing the relative strengths and weaknesses of each side. Often the color plates can be hit and miss. These are really quite dramatic.