I get excited when the new issues of Scale Aircraft Modeling arrive. They have the same basic design and format. They are jam packed with superb aircraft builds and tips. In this issue, there are four feature articles, an Aviation in Profile piece, and seven Compact Build Reviews. This issue also includes a special section devoted to the IPMS UK Nationals.

The Feature articles for this issue start with Mike Williams build of Airfix 1/48 Folland Gnat T.1. He details how to get a flawless finish and selects a gorgeous red and white paint scheme. He also depicts the plane in flight which really works with this subject.

Next up is Nigel Poole's build of the Italeri Westland Wessex. He details it with two Eduard sets and then folds the rotors with Scalewarship's set. I had not heard of these on this side of the pond but the results are spectacular as is the paint schemes and detail. He also notes that the rotor fold set is 3D printed....its coming to models near you!

Thanks yet again to Ross and his team at SAC for passing on this set to IPMS USA and to our leadership for sending it my way!!!

This set is an almost mandatory upgrade (as they all are), targeted for the new Roden C-123 kit. I have been waiting for someone to do this model for a long time; there are several interesting paint schemes and variants, and I remember these crawling around the sky when I was much younger. A “RANCH HAND” spray bar added to this basic kit would make an interesting yet controversial “Agent Orange” display... Roden makes excellent kits, and have really improved recently; the only drawback I have ever experienced is the softer plastic used for these models tends to bow or flex over time on major structural parts like landing gear. And, as I have said almost countless times before, this is where SAC metal landing gear shines!

Among the items recently added to Ultracast’s line of highly detailed resin detail parts are upper cowls that replace those in Eduard’s numerous Spitfire Mk.IX kits. This set (#48264) provides a ready to install one-piece Flat upper cowl (found on the early Mk.IXs) that replaces the kit parts. Note that I say parts because the kit upper cowl comes in two pieces that must be glued together…creating a seam that must then be rubbed out. The Eduard kits are recognized for accuracy and detail and they can be built into excellent replicas of the aircraft, but the two-piece cowl creates extra work for the modeler and creates the likelihood that some molded-in surface detail might be lost in the process. The Ultracast part avoids all of that and speeds the build considerably. This ‘time saver’ aftermarket part comes on a small casting block that is easily removed with a razor saw (See photos below).

Ultracast has added a series of highly detailed resin detail parts for the Eduard Spitfire Mk. IX kit. This set (#48262) provides a pair of flared exhaust stacks that replace the kit parts. The Eduard kits are recognized for accuracy and detail but the kit exhausts unfortunately are designed in such a way that they must be installed at an early stage in the assembly process. Doing so makes it difficult to paint the exhausts and surrounding areas without a considerable amount of masking later in the build.

Ultracast’s set includes a pair of backing plates that are installed instead of the kit exhausts at that point in the construction of the fuselage and provide a foundation for the resin exhausts that can be installed after the model is assembled and the fuselage is painted. This permits the modeler to also paint and weather the exhausts before installation, making for a clean job of it with no masking.

Master Model from Poland specializes in metal turned parts for aftermarket kits. In my personal opinion, they are among the best in the market. I really like their products, and this set in particular is really nice.

This set is devoted to the weapons of the Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC in 1/24 scale. As far as I know, there is only the Trumpeter kit of a Hurri MkIIC in 1/24, but they might be others and I’m sure this kit will fit any 1/24 scale Hurri MkIIC, perhaps with small modifications if needed.

The instruction indicates to modify the wing fairings to accommodate the metal ones and then add the metal turned parts, as shown in the renderings from the manufacturer. This is a simple “drop-in” replacement set that only uses 4 replacement parts per cannon.

This aftermarket set will enhance the looks of your finished model. I’d recommend this set to the average to experienced modeler.