Advanced Modeling, based in Chelyabinsk Russia, has jumped in to help 1/72 (and 1/48 as well as 1/32) model builders of modern Russian aircraft that include the Su-24M, Su-25TM, Su-25SM, Su-30MKI, Su-30MKK, Su-32, MiG-27K, and MiG-29SMT. This new release provides two KAB-500L 500kg laser guided bombs consisting of six resin parts. It also includes a photoetched fret consisting of two pieces for the rear end of the bombs and a well done waterslide decal sheet with black stencil markings.

Notable is the re-sealable packaging that Advanced Modeling uses that makes the parts easy to review and then stuff back into the package securely. Painting instructions are included with the instruction sheet, in this case calling out FS 26473 grey. The resin parts are well cast with no air-bubbles or any casting errors that I could spot on any of the resin parts.

A new company to me: Resin Improvements (RES IM)… THANKS VERY MUCH Lukas for sending IPMS USA this wheel and tire set to review, and thanks also to IPMS USA leadership for trusting me to use them on my model….

This is a very simple set for the Trumpeter 1/32 SU-25 kit. Three fully-assembled wheels and tires for the kit! The wheels are extremely well done, with deep radial treads on the main tires, and extremely well done wheel details. Bolts, brakes and associated wheel bits are there.

The improvement over the basic kit items is extreme; the kit wheels are injection molded plastic and, although detailed, do not come up to the same level as the RES IM parts. Also, the vinyl tires are a very loose fit on the plastic kit wheels, and hollow to boot, so that means over time you will have flat tires unless you fill them with a plastic ring or some other method to keep the “flat” from occuring

Tom Cooper and David Nicolle's Arab MiG series is an incredible history that addresses the Arab air forces of Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen after the June 1967 Six Day War until 1973. Although MiG aircraft dominate the story, all Post-WWII Arab aircraft are included. The authors have been able to access official archives as well as the combatants involved to provide a unique perspective of the Middle East conflicts. Volume one in this series, published November 19, 2009, covered the background of the Arab air forces from 1955 focusing on MiG-15 and MiG-17 fighters. Volume two, published October 19, 2011, addressed the Arab air force supersonic fighters from 1956 through 1967. Volume three in the Arab MiGs series focuses on the Arab air forces in the June 1967 War and was published October 24, 2012. Two additional volumes follow in this series, all with the same thick 256 glossy page count.

Recently I was given the opportunity by IPMS USA to review Aires Messerschmitt Bf 109G Gun Barrels for the 1/48 Eduard 109G series of kits. 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.

The molding on the resin gun barrels is excellent and they come off of the resin block with little effort. You receive 2 sets in the packaging, one set is of the MG 151/20MM canon that was used on the Bf109G. The G series 109 was designed to accept a variety of field conversion sets that allowed the changes to be made in the field. These were numbered from R-1 to R-7 with the MG 151/20MM canon under each wing being labeled R-6. These barrels make a good addition to the Eduard 109G series although there is not much difference in the look of both the resin and the one provided in the kit.

Zoukei-Mura first showed this kit at the 2015 IPMS Nationals and again this year in Columbia. Well, the kit has finally arrived and its beautiful. Many might have been a little skeptical with the other kits but it’s a Phantom and one of the most iconic planes made so a new kit is always welcome. In this part, we’ll look at what’s in the box and then get some parts built and painted starting with the cockpit.