Aires began in 1995, making 2026 their 31st anniversary. They are based out of the Czech Republic and include not only the Aires brand name, but QuickBoost, Aerobonus, and Wheelliant.
Few aircraft have served for as long and amongst many Western nations than the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II. It’s first flight was 27 May 1958, and three air forces are still flying this “most charismatic” aircraft. Initially developed as a long-range all-weather fighter for the US Navy (USN). The US Air Force (USAF) “Quickly realized that the Navy had an aircraft that could fly faster, further, and carry a larger weapons load than any tactical aircraft in the U.S.A.F. inventory. Over the next decades, several Phantom variants served with distinction and worldwide not just for the Air Force and Navy, but also the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC).
Quickboost has provided the Reviewer Corps with a drop-in resin replacement windshield wiper for Hasegawa’s A-4C Skyhawk in 1/48th scale. The sample review came in a plastic bag with cardboard backing. There are no instructions for this set. For the Hasegawa kit, this is a replacement for part A16. There is one 3D printed windshield wiper. The quality is excellent, and true to scale. It is a very petite part when compared to the kit’s. Because of this tiny size, eye magnification assistance (think Opti-Visor) may be needed when handling it. Please note, since this is a resin part, Superglue (CA), school glue (PVA) or another bonding agent will be needed to secure the wiper to the windscreen. This is a nice 3D resin part, and it will give you the correct scale thinness if you want to replace the windshield wiper on your A-4C Skyhawk. I want to thank Aires and Quickboost for providing the resin part and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review.
This book contains 304 pages, 252 B&W and 28 color illustrations. It covers the development and use of rocket interceptors during WWII and the immediate post-war years. The book is broken down into 26 sections; many are only a single page. With most sections dedicated to those conceptual and built rocket interceptors of the Third Reich! In addition, American, Japanese, and Russian designs are covered.
At the start of WWII, the Royal Australian Air Force was little more than a glorified flying club with few pilots and only a couple of hundred effective aircraft. With the outbreak of war, the Australian Government committed to a large and rapid expansion of RAAF airpower, including the formation of a number of units in Britain to serve alongside the RAF. One of these squadrons was 452, a fighter squadron formed in April 1941 and manned by RAAF personnel but operationally controlled by the RAF.
Aries has provided this very nice Resin upgrade for the Italeri Kit for the wheel bays and gear bay doors. The set includes 27 resin parts and a double-sided instruction sheet. All the parts are very detailed and will add a lot of details to the current kit details. The photos show how good these parts are. The parts are produced with very little 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.
DXM (Double Excellent Model) Decals is a hobby company based in Taiwan and has been producing models since 2018. DXM produces modern jet aircraft (primarily United States, Japan, and Israel, but there are some other unique air forces – Hellenic, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, etc.) decals in 1/144, 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32 scales. In addition, there are weathering/rusted airbrush templates, 3D parts, and conversion sets. The decals are printed by Cartograph. You can see their amazing products on their homepage and even have a YouTube video reference for applying their decals.
DXM’s 1/48 scale USMC F/A-18C/D VMFA-312 & 115 Decals Set has five options from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, all from VMFA-312 DR 214:
Quickboost recently provided the Reviewer Corps with drop-in resin replacement exhaust pipes for Arma Hobby’s P-39Q/N Airacobra in 1/48 scale. The sample item came in a plastic bag with cardboard backing. There are no instructions for this set. For the Arma Hobby kit and they are direct replacements for part A22.
There are two exhaust pipes (left & right) from the traditional pour moldings for these resin replacements (not 3D generated). The quality is excellent, and the exhaust pipe ends have holes molded in, so no drilling is required.
This is a great traditional resin set if you want to replace the engine exhaust on your P-39Q/N Airacobra in 1/48 scale. Just wash and add paint. Highly Recommended to everyone who wants to add more detail to their P-39Q/N Airacobra! I want to thank Aires and Quickboost for providing the resin set and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to perform this review.
Quickboost has provided the Reviewer Corps with a resin upgrade replacement detail for Tamiya’s F4U-1A or D Corsair Headrest Type B in 1/72nd scale.
The sample review came in a plastic bag with cardboard backing. There are instructions for this set and it will show the removal of the headrest pad for parts B15 & B16. This will allow the new headrest to be installed on the forward side of the bulkhead.
Note: this part cannot be used on F4U-1 “Birdcage” variant with the aft scalloped windows.
There are two headrests provided and they are the traditional pour moldings (not 3D generated). The quality is excellent with very fine detail.
Please note, since this is a resin part, Superglue (CA) or other bonding agent will be needed to secure the headrest to the kit plastic.
This wonderful decal set covers USMC F-4B Phantoms from the following squadrons:
I had been eager to build the Crusader’s 3-gunned F-4B that flew from Da Nang with 3 Mark 4 gun pods for several missions, so I was eager to try out these decals. I was not disappointed. Printed by Cartograph, they are very crisp, and include various options for each squadron’s markings, a set of walkway decals, and all the stencils needed. The stencils include some specific for the J model, but they are called out on the instruction sheet so just pay attention.
