RES-IM has recently released several sets of replacement wheels for modern aircraft. Often kit wheels are not accurate representations of the real thing, being rather featureless.

This set provides a very nicely molded set of four replacement tires for the Tornado. The set does not state which Tornado kit it is for and as I only have Hasegawa kits of the Tornado, I don’t know if there are any differences between Hasegawa, Italeri or Revell moldings, but I can say they are a big improvement over the kit tires of my Hasegawa Tornado F3 as shown in the photos. The set consists of two main wheels and two nose wheels. The tires are crisply molded with nice tread detail and outstanding hub detail that really pops out with a light black wash.

Thanks to Ross at SAC for sending us improved metal landing gear for the massive Boeing 777, and thanks also to IPMS USA leadership for sending it to me….

This is ‘du rigeur’ SAC white metal upgrade to the basic kit plastic! The set consists of 9 parts: Two main struts, two strut retraction cylinders, the nose gear, retraction arm, and a drag brace, and two centering and leveling cylinder assemblies for the main trucks.

The landing gear on the 777 is a monster in real life; it has six wheel/tire assemblies on each wing, and is quite a piece of kit for supporting this highly-successful airliner and cargo hauler. On the kit, it makes sense to have similar strength. For 1/144 scale, it’s a big model. Zvezda’s plastic is pretty strong, but the SAC gear makes it better…

The Su-25 is the Soviet equivalent of the A-10 first utilized in Afghanistan. This mud mover is pretty well represented in 1/48^th scale by KP/Smer. As always there are ways to improve what comes in the box.

Quickboost has taken to updating the Frogfoot to a whole different level. This particular set is designed to upgrade the lights. Packaged in a typical Quickboost resealable package with card stock backing has two resin sprues. The first is light grey resin which holds the two reflectors. The second resin part is molded in clear resin. It has the bulbs and two new clear resin lens.

To use the set you simply have to drill out the landing light hole in the wing. Then you paint the reflector, add the bulb, and use the clear resin lens. Done. Simple, easy and effective.

This light set will replace the kit parts which are not very accurate looking. The Quickboost set is very realistic, easy to use, and inexpensive.

Highly recommended.

One of the latest releases in the rapidly expanding line of Brassin products is a beautiful representation of the Fokker Dr.1 nine-cylinder Oberursel engine. Consisting of three resin parts and a single photo-etched part, the engine builds up quickly, and will make a great addition to your 1/72 scale triplane!

As mentioned, there are three resin parts in the set, which consist of the engine itself, firewall mounting plate, and a single part that has the intake shaft, magneto, oil pump case, and spark distributor, all molded on. The ignition wires are contained on a single photoetched fret.

Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Eduard’s STEEL Belt line for the new 1/32 Revell Me262B-1 kit. I waited and waited for the new 1/32 Revell Me262B-1 to be released in the States and that day has not come yet so I bought one from Germany. 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 the photoetch from the package you will notice the great level of detail on the pre-painted belts which include a little bit of weathering. These belts are only 0.04 mm thick and are very easy to position on the seat and they hold their shape well.

You can apply these to the seats using a spot of superglue and you will have a great representation of the Me262 belts and harnesses.