Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Review Author
Timothy Gidcumb
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$14.02

Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Aires T-28 Trojan air brake assembly for the 1/32 Kitty Hawk T-28 Trojan kit. One of the first things to notice with this product is the excellent presentation of the packaging with the sealed flap on the back of package to allow for easy access to parts.

Upon removal of all the different parts that make up the air brake assembly you will notice the great detail that we have come to expect from Aires QB products. The molding and detail on the parts are excellent and they come off the resin block with little effort along with the help of an X-Acto blade or razor saw.

Book Author(s)
Andrew Brookes Illustrator: Adam Tooby
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$20.00

Osprey bio: “Andrew Brookes completed RAF pilot training after graduating from Leeds University. Following reconnaissance and strike tours on Victors, Canberras and Vulcans he joined the tri-service policy and plans staff of Commander British Forces, Hong Kong. He flew over 3,000 hours as an RAF reconnaissance and strike pilot. He was a UK nuclear release officer in NATO and the last operational RAF Commander at the Greenham Common cruise missile base. He was coordinator of air power studies at the RAF Advanced Staff College and he is now Chief Executive of The Air League. He broadcasts widely and this is his 18th aviation book, including four for Osprey. He received the Defense Aerospace Journalist of the Year Award in 2004 and 2006. In 2009 he was awarded the C P Robertson Memorial Trophy for the best interpretation of the Royal Air Force to the public.”

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$14.95

Short History

As we all know the Spitfire should not need an introduction, after all there were over 24 versions or Mks that existed throughout its illustrious history.

What’s in the Box?

The box comes with a total of 6 white metal pieces to replicate the kit parts very accurately and adding some needed strength to support the aircraft especially with larger 32nd scale aircraft as we tend to do a lot of scratch building and the use of “goodies”. The Landing gear comes packaged in the typical SAC cardboard and bubble blister packaging we are all accustomed to seeing.

The Build

This is a pain free operation and only required a little time along with TLC using couple of sanding sticks, a fine diamond file I also use for PE and my battery powered dremel with a 280-grit abrasive buff wheel.

Book Author(s)
Lieutenant Colonel Rick Bishop (Ret.)
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Crecy Publishing, Ltd.
MSRP
$24.95

Crécy Publishing’s biography: “Lieutenant Colonel Rick Bishop flew for over 50 years as a civilian, Army, and Air Force pilot amassing over 16,000 hours in the air. Raised in Miami, Florida his passion for aviation started with flying lessons at the age of 16 which he continued throughout his college years. Voluntarily joining the Army in 1967, he saw action in Vietnam then joined the Air Force in 1974 where he flew jets for four years until being selected to join the U-2 Program. Over the following 13 years he rose to Commander of the 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron prior to further advancement preceding his early retirement in 1991. Rick then flew for American Airlines for the next 16 years. He now resides on a small farm in the rolling hills north of Ocala, Florida.”

Review Author
David Horn
Published on
Company
HK Models Co.
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$209.00

Aircraft and History

The De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito, commonly called “Mossie” or “Wooden Wonder” was a fast, twin engine multi-role aircraft developed and operated during WWII. The Mosquito could operate as a bomber or be fitted with guns (in the nose or in bomb bay) and operate as an effective fighter. Speed was one of the Mosquitos best defensive assets where this aircraft was faster than most piston powered fighters Germany operated. The Mosquito was very capable at high altitude, low altitude, daytime and night operations.

Construction of the Mosquito consisted mostly of wood which was beneficial since “strategic material” (metal) was in high demand during WWII and small “cottage industries” were capable of building parts for the Mosquito and reducing the aircraft manufacturing demand during war time. Some mosquitos were fitted with a “glass” nose while others contained four machine guns and others contained a radar for night fighting operations.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$18.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions now has over twenty-seven years of experience supplying resin and white metal parts to model builders, and their product listing continues to expand. This is the ninth landing gear set from SAC that I have reviewed, and once again, they have provided an excellent metal option for kit-supplied landing gear. This set is intended for the 1/48 scale A-4 Skyhawk that was recently released by Hobby Boss (kit 81764). The purpose of this replacement set is to provide stronger landing gear that is adjustable if necessary to obtain the proper angles. Even with no previous experience in using white metal parts, this set will provide an upgrade that most modelers will have no issue installing.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$20.00

Thank you, Bob Sanchez, for another stunning set of decals for us! While the Bicentennial F-15 is not new to us in the modeling community as the original aircraft was displayed and flown worldwide over 40 years ago, the decals are a much-needed facelift to anyone who has an old F-15 A-D laying around or just maybe wanting to change it up and not use the kit decals.

About the Company

Two Bobs is a limited run/ Custom aviation Decal company based out of Fort Worth, Texas and is owned and operated by Mr. Bob Sanchez. Mr. Sanchez is a former enlisted Air Force engineer and has been very active in the modeling community almost all of his life and has continued to be active in the aviation field outside of his service to our country.

I can tell you guys from experience Mr. Sanchez’s decals cover unique and memorable topics, are a pleasure to work with and downright hard to get if you miss out on a particular set, so keep that in mind when ordering.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.00

Thank you, Bob Sanchez, for another beautiful set of decals and this set is a little more important. Capt. Jeff Kuss was a Colorado native on top of being a Top Aviator. Why would this set have some relevance to myself you ask? Well maybe due to the fact I'm currently active duty and stationed about 2 hours from where he was laid to rest. Thank You, Mr. Sanchez and Two Bobs!

About the Company

Two Bobs is a limited run/ Custom aviation Decal company based out of Fort Worth, Texas and is owned and operated by Mr. Bob Sanchez. Mr. Sanchez is a former enlisted Air Force engineer and has been very active in the modeling community almost all of his life and has continued to be active in the aviation field outside of his service to our country.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$99.95

Short History

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor aircraft/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy.

Proving highly adaptable, it was also adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force, and by the mid-1960s had become a major part of their respective air wings.

The Phantom is a large fighter with a top speed of over Mach 2.2. It can carry more than 18,000 pounds (8,400 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs.

Book Author(s)
Charles Stafrace
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
Guideline Publications
MSRP
$22.00

Authored by Charles Stafrace and illustrated by Richard J. Caruana, this book covers the development, deployment, service, and retirement of one of the most ubiquitous aircraft flown by the United States Navy, that being the A3D Skywarrior. Aviation historians and modelers, alike, will find this book to be a treasure chest of information.

The written content is well written, in clear and precise language. The content is presented in chronological sequence, as most publications of this type are, beginning with the need for an aircraft to replace the AJ Savage. As the engineering of the “Whale” evolved to meet the strategic needs of the aviation arm of the US Navy, so did the engineering change to match those needs. Variant after variant, the A3D continued to adapt to the environment of the day.