According to our friends at Wikipedia, the Vympel R-40 (NATO reporting name AA-6 'Acrid') was a long-range air-to-air missile developed in the 1960s by the Soviet Union specifically for the MiG-25 interceptor, but can also be carried by the later MiG-31. It is the largest air-to-air missile in the world to ever go into production with a length of over 20 feet and a speed approaching Mach 5.

Master Model produces finely crafted small detail parts for models which have been damaged or may be subject to rough handling. Their collection of antennas and pitot tubes are invaluable for the modeler whose friends (or former friends) handle models less than carefully. There’s a picture below, which appeared as a cartoon in an early IPMS Quarterly. This particular set is for the cannons of a Spitfire IXc.

The C wing had either one or two cannons in each wing, and possibly two more .303 machine guns outboard. The kit includes two sets of cannon and one set of stubs, so you can do either of the C wing cannon options, depending on how the aircraft you’re modeling was armed.

Academy has re-issued their 1/72nd F/A-18C this time as a “Special Edition with limited availability” featuring a striking decal set –printed by Cartograf- to show the aircraft “300” from VFA-82 “Marauders” known as “Aflac” for obvious reasons.

When opening the box you find 4 grey sprues, one for the main fuselage parts, another for the wings and tail area, plus a duplicate sprue which comprises mainly the underwing stores. There is also a single clear sprue, for the canopy that can be posed either closed or open.

The sprues are molded very cleanly and there is no flash anywhere to be found. The recessed panel lines are sharp and thin. There is also delicate rivet detail in the different access panels.

The instructions are very clear and easy to follow; with a total of 16 steps (some have a few substeps). Color callouts are shown through the overall construction for all subassemblies and minor parts.

Product provided by: Ross, CEO of SAC

The metal gear company strikes again! Thanks to Ross at SAC for sending us another of your expansive line of metal landing gear, and thanks also to IPMS USA leadership for sending it to me.

This is becoming a theme; a SAC upgrade to the basic kit plastic! The set consists of 5 parts: Two main struts and side braces, two main strut drag braces, and a one-piece tail wheel fork.

The FLY models Hurricane is a magnificent bit of modeling fun. It is limited issue, short run-design, with resin, plastic that (for the most part) fits with precision (no alignment pins), only needing a bit of practiced hand to construct. I had a few areas requiring putty, but really must rave about one part: the main gear wheel well. This is a fantastic bit of resin, and once prepared and painted, makes a great foundation for the SAC main gear.

The fourth kit in Eduard’s FW 190A-8 series is the Fw 190A-8/R11 nightfighter variant. In an effort to fight the RAF’s night bombing campaign, the Luftwaffe searched for ways to increase the number and effectiveness of it nightfighter forces. The long term solution was the development of dedicated nightfighters such as the He 219 Uhu, but as new aircraft development was a slow process even wartime, it was forced to look for short term solutions as well. One solution was the FW 190A-8/R11 where four FuG 218 antennas were installed on the wings of the Fw 190A-8 along with flame dampeners along the fuselage sides and blast deflectors for the guns.