There are now (according to Hannants) three kits of the Vickers Valiant available in 1/144 scale. The oldest is the Welsh Models vac form kit, followed by the Anigrand. The newest is from Micro Mir.

This installation is on the Anigrand kit, because I don’t have a Micro Mir kit yet.

Installation

Installation instructions show 2 steps. I’ve expanded that to 4

1. Cut off the plastic probe at the indicated spot. I then used a sanding stick to get a flat surface which I could drill.
2. Drill a .25mm hole. Test fit a couple of times to be sure it’s deep enough. (NOTE the instructions call for .4mm. I think that’s a little too big.
3. Use CA glue to hold the brass part.
4. Paint the finished installation.

Then the other pitot tube, on the other wing. Follow the same 4 steps.

A feature that you can quickly notice on the Sukhoi Su-15 Flagon-F is the complicated nose pitot tube. Although Trumpeter made a valiant effort in molding the Su-15 TM pitot tube with its twelve separate vanes, the limits of the injection molding process come into play. I have used another set that used a combination of resin and photo-etch that was an improvement, but assembly was very difficult and the photo-etched vanes don’t really convey their 3-D nature. This Master Model set provides a quantum leap over any previous attempt to portray the Su-15 TM nose pitot tube. As a bonus, Master Model also provides the ability to build the slightly less complex Flagon-A nose pitot tube. I have also listed the Trumpeter Su-15 UM Flagon-G above, but I only have conflicting evidence that this set will help that kit. There should be no problem for the wing mounted pitot, but I have seen a variety of nose pitot tubes for the Flagon-G.

I must confess that I have been somewhat intrigued by the idea of using metal landing gear on my aircraft models for sometime now, but have just never followed through with a purchase. I initially felt the only time metal gear would be truly advantageous with a model that has spindly legs (like the F-105 Thunderchief) or if a particular model is quite heavy with the addition of resin parts or a good deal of nose weight. I am convinced those are the best reasons. However, I am open-minded on the issue.

When I had the opportunity to review a set of the SAC landing gear for the 1/48th scale Kinetic AMX I had to give it a go.

Contents Description

The parts are packaged in a clear blister pack and have no instructions. Many of the parts are cast as part of a metal sprue and will require cutting with side cutters or a fine saw to remove the metal parts.

This is a mask set for the Kinetic Sea Harrier FRS.1Kit. This set helps you save time masking the canopy by providing all you need pre-cut masks.

In the packet is:

• 1 precut masking sheet
• 1 instruction sheet

The masks are for the front windscreen, main canopy and the wheel hubs.

Summary

This is very good and time saving when it comes to masking which is perfect for this kit and really helps.

Thanks go to Eduard for providing this set to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them.

Master Model of Poland has figured out a way to produce very fine brass parts for detailing aircraft. These are wonderful additions to models, particularly the pitot tubes, refueling probes and gun barrels, which seem to get bent or broken depressingly often. Not only that, because of the strength of the brass, the parts can be made smaller diameter than the plastic parts provided in most kits.

This detail set is the pitot tube for the Panavia Tornado, currently in use with the Luftwaffe, the RAF, Italian AF and the Royal Saudi AF. There are 4 kits available in 1/144, Revell, Dragon, Academy and Anigrand. Since I already had the Dragon kit built, that’s the one I put the new pitot on.

The instructions for this detail set are VERY good. Preparation consists of removing the kit pitot and making a flat spot on the nose. I used a medium grit sanding stick to make the flat spot.