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, the only 1/24 scale kit of a Hurricane Mk IIC is made by Trumpeter, but there might be others. I’m sure this kit would fit any 1/24 scale Hurricane Mk IIC with minor modifications, if needed.

The instruction indicates that you’ll need to modify the wing fairings to accommodate the metal version, after which you can then add the turned-metal parts, as shown below in the rendering from the manufacturer.

This is a simple “drop-in” replacement set that only uses three replacement parts per cannon, and it will enhance the looks of your finished model. I’d recommend this set to the average to experienced modeler.

About the Company

DXM Decals, which stands for Double Excellent Models, was started by a group of modelers in Taipei, Taiwan. The group started manufacturing decals in 2010. They cover a broad range of aircraft, including an extensive list of schemes from Japanese air combat meets.

What’s on the Sheet?

This sheet covers the 30th anniversary of the 21st Training Fighter Squadron and another F-2B specially marked to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Matsushima Airbase located in Matsushima, Japan. The aircraft covered are:

• F-2B Viper Zero, 21st Training Squadron, Matsushima Airbase.
• F-2B Viper Zero, 21st Training Squadron, Matsushima Airbase.

The decals are extremely vivid with crisp colors and dark blacks. I could see very little carrier film, if not none. The decals are printed by Cartograf on a single large sheet.

The North American T-6 Texan was the premier advanced trainer through World War II and later. It was also used as a FAC (Forward Air Control) aircraft in Korea and Vietnam. The AT-6 was also known as the SNJ by the US Navy and the Harvard by the RAF. 61 countries have used some variant of the Texan. If you can’t find markings that interest you, just keep looking.

My personal attachment to the T-6 comes from my friend Tom Kelly, who gave me a ride in his T-6G. We went to Oshkosh for the Air Rendezvouz in 1986. You get a really respectful greeting when you arrive in a warbird, even if you’re only in the back seat.

Britain had the V Bombers, Valiant, Victor and Vulcan, from the 1950s through the 1980s. They were large bombers designed to carry the large nuclear weapons of the 50s, and they served the RAF well, with the Victor and Vulcan serving as aerial tankers and the last Vulcan tanker retiring in 1984.

This model is of the Victor B.2 bomber version of the aircraft. The bomber was never used in combat; the Valiant bombed Suez in 1956 and the Vulcan bombed the Falklands in 1982. Victor tankers participated in the “Black Buck” missions in the Falklands, with 11 Victor K.2s needed to get one Vulcan to the target, Ascension Island, and return, a round trip of 6,800 miles.

The Victors were designed to carry a stand-off nuclear missile called Blue Steel. This was to be replaced by the US designed Skybolt missile, but that program was cancelled.

The Product

This set comes on a single photo-etch fret and offers several worthwhile enhancements. The list of items include: brake lines, a complete set of landing gear doors, radiator faces, radiator exit door, engine shutters, cowling flaps, canopy lever, canopy mirror, ring & bead gun sight, throttle, several cockpit levers and trim wheels. A great feature about this brass fret is the delicate attach points. The instructions are clearly printed with Eduard’s easy to understand pictorials.