Resin 2 Detail produces some really great and unique resin parts to enhance kits. This set is part of their “Fast Fix” series. They are single part upgrades which enhances the kits quickly and simply. This set is two R-2600 engine fronts which are suitable as upgrades to any 1/48^th scale Helldiver, Avenger, A-20, or B-25’s. They are direct replacements with almost no preparation needed.

The set comes with two engines so you could do two avengers or one each of the A-20 or B-25’s. The castings are perfect and very detailed and include two engine faces along with two magnetos for the top. Preparation is simple by grinding off the back casting block of the engines, cut the magneto off and glue to the top of the engine per the instructions.

Up front: Sincere thanks to Italeri and their U.S. distributor, Hobbico USA, for this Boeing -Licensed model of the long-serving F-15C. And thanks to IPMS for sending it to review.

First off: This is not a “Strike Eagle” but a standard “C” model with parts which would fit on the F-15E. This original kit hails back to around 1990 or so; it’s a mixed bag of older technology, and improvements that we now take for granted. Engraved exterior detail is very petite but there is little in the way of fasteners, etc., which is ok! Fit of the parts is a bit “loose”, as you can tell by the copious quantity of putty I used on assembly. Flash is present. But it’s an Eagle!

The Box art will sell the model; the decal sheet and options will redeem it.

We are certainly going to continue to see great things from Furball; and IPMS/USA sincerely appreciates Furball Aero-Design’s support by providing one more of their great products for review. And thanks to the reviewer corps leaders for sending this set to me to work on!

External metal plates are commonplace engineering solutions to vibration and fatigue cracking on aircraft structures. In the case of the F-14 (and the F-15 under “Pacer Buffet” in the mid-1980’s) early block aircraft developed fatigue cracks in the vertical fins. The quick solution (before you have to buy new fins for the next generation aircraft) is to apply external stiffener plates. In the old days they were called “fishplates” because they were shaped like fish in profile. The purpose is to distribute the stresses out away from the crack location, preventing further damage or failure of the control surface. That’s what Furball has captured with this set.

History

The English Electric Canberra traces its roots back to 1944 when the Air Ministry issued a requirement for a successor to the De Havilland Mosquito 'with no defensive armament and a high-altitude capability to evade interceptors'. Taxi tests began in May of 1949 and the first flight was May 13^th, 1949…..and yes, it was a Friday! First delivery to the RAF was May 25^th, 1951 t0 101Sqn, Binbrook and in the next 3 years, 23 squadrons received the aircraft. The Canberra proved so successful that it was exported to many other countries (15) and also built in Australia and the U.S. there were (including prototypes) 40 variants of the Canberra. The B9i).6 was the interim interdictor version for the RAF pending delivery of the B(I)8. Based on the B.6 with a detachable ventral pack housing four 20 mm Hispano Mk. V cannon for strafing; also had provision for two wing hard points. LABS (Low-Altitude Bombing System) for delivery of nuclear bombs.

Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Aires Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-8 fuel point with covers for the 1/32 Revell Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-8 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 the package to allow for easy access to parts.

Upon removal of the resin fuel points and covers, you will notice the great detail that we have come to expect from Aires QB products. The molding on the fuel points and covers is excellent and it comes off of the resin block with little effort along with the help of a razor saw.