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Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.
Package

OS2U Kingfisher Interior Set
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$32.95

This is a great photo etch set for the Kitty Hawk OS2U Kingfisher Kit. This set adds a lot of extra detail to the interior of the kit and makes it really stand out.

The phot etch parts are for the:

  • Bulkhead details
  • Instrument panel and various control details
  • Bomb fins
  • Machine gun and ammo box details
  • Seat details
  • Main cabin floor details
  • Radio rack details

In the packet is:

  • 1 Photo etch sheet
  • 1 Colored photo etch sheet
  • 1 Instruction sheet

Summary

This is a one of the best Photo etch sets I have used and is a must for the Kitty Hawk Kit, as it makes it into a great model with lot of additional interior details for this aircraft. I really think the machine gun and instrument details alone are worth getting this set for.

Package

SG-38 Schulgleiter
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.75

The SK-38 is a small glider produced in Germany before and during the war. It was also produced by the Czechoslovakian government after the war. With the release of the Special Hobbies two kits the modeler can now do this historically significant aircraft.

Brengun has produced a small nickel plated photo etch fret that is designed to enhance the kit. There are limitations that plastic pieces can’t do. That is where the PE comes in. This little fret adds the intricate details throughout the kit. The photo etch replicates the metal parts on the real thing, while the kit plastic does the same for the wooden pieces.

The SK-38 is a simple little glider and kit and with this photo etch set you can replicate the intricate details.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Brengun and IPMS/USA for the review item. You can obtain yours by contacting them directly at www.brengun.cz or your local hobby shop or online retailer.

Package

F8F Bearcat Control Surfaces
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.50

The Bearcat was just too late to join the fight in WWII but was used by the French in Indochina to great effect. It is a sexy and compact naval fighter.

An easy way to add some life to your static model is to reposition the flight control surfaces. I’ve never been able to do this effectively. Well Aires has come to the rescue. The latest release is molded in light grey resin with no flaws anywhere. Two horizontal surfaces and two elevators are included.

Removal of the parts from the pour block is quite easy. The horizontal surfaces are slotted so are drop in replacements for the kit parts. The elevators can then be added and deflected as you see fit with superglue. You may want to pin it to get a more solid join. Don’t forget to move the stick in the appropriate direction. It is really that easy and simple.

Another winner from Aires. This set is an easy addition to make your model come alive. I’m looking forward to other releases such as this from Aires.

Package

Rockin' Rhino Upgrade Set
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$34.95

Having the Rockin’ Rhino (F4J Phantom) kit in my stash I was excited to be able to review the upgrade kit. I wanted to see if it would add anything to an already highly detailed kit. Well I was not disappointed as this set really does add a lot of additional and very visible details to this super kit.

The photo etch parts are for the:

  • Cockpit surround detail
  • Canopy details
  • Landing gear doors,
  • Landing gear bay interior detail
  • Weapon details

In the packet is:

  • 2 x Photoetch sheets
  • 1 Instruction sheet

I did find two small issues with this set:

Box art

P-47D & F-86E "Gabreski"
Review Author
Mike Kellner
Published on
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$31.00

This is a dual kit of two famous aircraft flown by American Ace Francis Stanley Gabreski (nicknamed “Gabby”). Gabreski flew the P-47D in WWII scoring 28 kills, and flew the F-86 in Korea with 6.5 credited kills. He was one of only seven pilots to become an Ace in two wars. It was my pleasure to meet him in person at the IPMS/USA National convention in Chicago in 2001.

Both the Academy kits have fine recessed panel lines and are molded in a light gray plastic. The builds are fairly straightforward with some fit problems. I needed some filler around the leading edges of both airplanes’ wings. The P-47’s cockpit floor seemed to be too low and left a gap between the instrument panel and the top of the fuselage.

Package cover

The Dogs of War - USA/USAF/USMC/VNAF O-1 Bird Dogs in the Vietnam War
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
AOA Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$15.50

When you mention the Vietnam Air War most people think of the F-4 Phantom or the F-105 Thunderchief, not some slow moving single piston-engine airplane like the O-1 Bird Dog. But this little airplane played a pivotal role in close air support role over South Vietnam. The Model USA kit has been out for sometime but the markings options have been limited, that is until now. Thanks to AOA Decals we now have plenty of marking options.

Product packaging

P-51B/C Mustang Control Surfaces
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.50

The Tamiya Mustang kit is one of my favorite kits. The fit is good and it looks the part. Sure the cockpit floor is not right but that is the only thing.

One thing that real aircraft often have is displaced control surfaces, especially the elevators. Until now if you wanted to do that you had to perform surgery and thin and bevel the tail then fill the elevator and shape it too. Let’s face it, this was a pain in the …. Thank God that Aires also likes to see aircraft with the drooped elevators and has provided an easy answer.

Product packaging

MiG-21UM Air Scoops
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

Ever have one of those things that you just couldn’t do or at least couldn’t do well? For me that is hollowing out exhausts and air intake scoops. That is why I need gems like these from Quickboost.

Molded in light grey resin, these perfectly cast pieces are very thin. They are a direct replacement for the kit intakes which are solid plastic. On this mold block are seven intakes, it is amazing to see how thin they are able to get the lip on these intakes and still cast them. I know I could never do that. The hardest part will be to remove them, but once you get that done adding them is simple.

These intakes will add to the look of your MiG with minimal work. The realistic look of hollowed out intakes are easily seen on the model. Making this set well worth the money.

Highly recommended

Package

OS2U Kingfisher Seatbelt Set
Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$12.95

This is a photo etch set to replace the photo etch seatbelts provided with the Kitty Hawk OS2U Kingfisher kit. This set is colored and are far more realistic and accurate compared to the set provided with the kit.

In the packet is:

  • 1 colored photoetch sheet
  • 1 instruction sheet

Summary

This is a great replacement set for the set supplied with the kit. The set gives a lot better and pre-painted set of seat belts for both the pilot and gunners seats.

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

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