Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$42.99

Arma has released their F4F-4 with the addition of Operation Torch marking and two bases in this very nice offering. The F4F-4 was originally released ea few months ago and this is a great option, I personally have a connection with Operation Torch as my father was part of this.

  • Two grey Sprues
  • One Clear Sprue
  • One Decal sheet
  • One Mask set
  • One USS escort carrier deck base
  • One Airbase base
  • One Instruction guide
  • An Errata sheet (showing the Martlet differences for the build)
  • Bar codes for downloading 3D print files for additional parts you can print yourself

The detail quality is excellent in every way with this kit, crisp and detailed molding has become the norm for Arma Hobby kits.

The assembly is quick and easy as we have come to expect from these kits.

Review Author
Jason Holt
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$34.99

The ICM US Aerial Drone set contains a double boxing of their individual sets KDA-1 (Q-2A) Firebee with trailer (48400) and BQM-34A (Q-2C) Firebee with trailer (48401). These kits have been previously released individually in various sets, namely with the DB-26/JD-1 drone control ship kits, as well as by themselves ‘in-flight’ sets (48400 and 48401). Each drone kit is its own single part sprue tree and includes the trailer and dolly to display on them on the ground. Also included are the pylons to mount them on a mothership aircraft but no instructions on how to do so.

The assembly breakdown is rather simple for both of the kits. The internal parts consist of the engine exhaust cylinder and intake facing, and I painted the engine and fan surface with AK Metal Steel. I would also like to point out that you should paint the inside of the fuselage halves prior to assembling.

Book Author(s)
Bartlomiej Belcarz and Granciszek Strzelczyk, illustrated by Karolina Holda
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$11.99

The Single Series from Mushroom Model Publications focuses on a specific airframe, sometimes even down to a specific modification or variant of an airframe. This booklet includes line drawings of the Caudron CR.714 in both 1/72 and 1/48 scale and includes some drawings (probably from a technical manual) of the engine mount, and a very complete walkaround set of pictures in black and white of the real airplane (probably in a museum while being restored). There is a selection of period (WW2-era) photographs, and there are also a handful of computer-generated full-color graphics showing the cockpit as well as a 3-view color profile that is very attractive.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$10.00

Brengun has issued another photoetch/resin accessory set for small scale aircraft modelers. This set is designed for use by Armory Model Group offering the German Bf-109, specifically the Bf-109A/E.

Typically, small scale (1/144th) aircraft kits come with two complete models in the box and Armory Model Group is no exception. Brengun provides detailed bits for two kits. Those bits include the following pieces for the:

  • Main Wheels
  • Tail Wheels
  • Wheel Covers
  • Stabilizer struts
  • Antenna
  • Wing antenna and AOA probes

While this accessory set is designed for use with the Armory Model Group kit, I don’t believe you would have any issues using it on a sweet or other similar kit.

There are a few photoetch bits that you may wish to leave on the fret. I plan on using them on my kit as a test of my eyesight and building ability, so look out for another future review on this set.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Iliad Design
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.00

This 1/48 scale decal set, available from Iliad Design, provides markings options for 5 different BF-110’s. They cover 5 variants from a day, night and desert fighter. Of particular interest is a 110 that was specially painted, designed and equipped as the personal fighter of Rudolf Hess when he flew to Scotland.

The five options are:

Book Author(s)
Dariusz Karnas, Artur Juszczak
Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Mushroom Model Publications - MMP Books
MSRP
$16.00

One of the most revered World War Two fighters, Republic’s P-47 has long been popular with kit manufacturers and modelers alike. If you favor this machine in its P-47C/D ‘Razorback’ format, Mushroom Model Publishing’s first new book in the Colour & Scale series may be only 16 pages but will have huge appeal in terms of reference… and in directing possible streams of thought concerning potential Colour schemes on your builds.

Pages 1-3 are dedicated to side views of all variants along with upper and lower drawings in 1/72nd scale, while pages 4-6 are dedicated to side views of all variants along with upper and lower drawings in 1/48th scale.

Pages 8-15 cover the camo/paint and nose art of 14 pilots who flew the Jugg. After careful research, I can also tell you that there are aftermarket decals available for all the following pilots or Squadrons.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$50.00

Arma Hobby is a new company to me, so I jumped at the chance to build and review one of their new Hurricanes, the MKIIc. In the box you get 4 plastic sprues (one clear), canopy masks and a decal sheet.

Construction starts with the wheel well and continues with the cockpit seat. Then you are guided to kind of cram the wheel well between the upper and lower wing parts and to assemble the rest of the cockpit. There are little slots for the wheel well to kinda slide the part on top, be sure you get that part aligned just right, or you will have trouble with the cockpit and closing the fuselage halves later.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
AOA Decals
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$24.99

Another large and informative decal set from AOA yet again with a wonderful decal set for Naval Search and Rescue birds for the US Navy H-60 Seahawk/Knighthawk family that covers, MH-60S helicopter family.

This 1/35th scale decal sheet Search and Rescue bird covers the following squadrons for the Kitty Hawk family of kits (now owned by Zimi models in China):

MH-60S

  • HSC-2 Fleet Angel
  • NAS Patuxent River
  • NAS Patuxent River Option #2
  • NAS Fallon
  • NAS Fallon Option #2
  • NAS Whidbey Island
  • NAS Lemoore
  • NAS Key West
  • NAS China Lake

In the Package

There are a total of 2 decal sheets provided that have been printed by Microscale Industries. 9 versions of Search and Rescue birds are in this set! The main sheets provide bureau numbers, navy, and special markings. The second sheet has air frame data and stencil markings in low-viz.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
AOA Decals
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$24.99

AOA Decals has done it yet again with a wonderful decal set for low-viz options (Part 2) for the US Navy H-60 Seahawk/Knighthawk family that covers MH-60S helicopters.

This 1/35th scale decal sheet of the Low-Viz Seahawk Family, Part 2, covers the following squadrons for the Kitty-hawk family of kits (now owned by Zimi models in China):

MH-60R

Book Author(s)
Ronny Bar
Review Author
Paul Bradley
Published on
Company
Tempest Books
MSRP
$70.00

Many will know Ronny Bar’s artwork from Wingnut Wings and Kotare Models kit sets; this new book highlights his talents with a vast selection of full-colour profiles of that most famous of WWII fighter aircraft, the Spitfire, and specifically the Merlin-engined versions. These range from the original 1936 prototype K5054 through to the late-War Spitfire Mk.16 and into the 1950s.

The landscape-oriented book has 232 pages and features 260+ different aircraft; there are 25 4-views, 4 3-views and 18 2-views. All operators seem to be covered including some unusual foreign-marked Spitfires. Also included are machines belonging to such aces as Stanford Tuck, Deere and Malan. The side profiles are to approximately 1/38 scale, so are of a good size. Some of the profiles will be familiar to those who have built one, or more, of the Kotare kits, and perhaps there are some clues as to what machines will be featured in future Mk.V kits?