Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

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.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$19.95

What’s in the Box?

This Eduard Brassin set is for the Eduard Fw 190A-8 kit. The set includes detail parts to add to a highly detailed engine to replace the simple kit piece and make for a very detailed open paneled butcher bird.

The resin and photoetch parts inside the box looked great and are very well molded and even the etched parts, while microscopic, provide an added value and level of detail.

The 20 included items are as followed in this boxing breakdown:

  • 5 Main Engine Assembly pieces
  • 6 Sub Engine pieces and assemblies
  • 8 Replacement panels and propeller cowling
  • 1 Photoetched fret to include harnesses, fuel lines, wiring and chain assemblies

The Engine Buildup

The assembly instructions are very clear and detailed but very busy at times and will definitely have you looking at front and backs, and taking this thing apart frequently to test fit.

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$17.95

Short History

As we all know the FW-190 and all of its variants have been manufactured in one form or another by just about all major kit companies, this particular item being reviewed though is for the newly released Revell kit.

What’s in the Box?

The box comes with a total of 8 white metal pieces of all varying sizes all replicating the kit parts very accurately and adding some needed strength to support the aircraft. 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 and elbow grease using a couple of files and some sanding paper as white metal pieces can be porous and also have little burs that need to filed and sanded down, so that also means a little safety is required.