Master Model is an aftermarket supplier that offers modelers the opportunity to add exceptional turned metal parts to their models. Generally, the sets are available for builders in 1:72, 1:48 and 1:32 scale. Therefore, the recent release of MiG-15 gun barrels and details for 1:72 and 1:48 scale kits suggested that a 1:32 scale version for Trumpeter and Hobbycraft kits might be inevitable. The expectation was realized with the release of set #MAS AM-32-068.

This set includes turned brass pieces that make up 37mm and 23mm gun barrels for a 1/32 scale MiG-15 and MiG-15bis and a turned aluminum antenna base and pitot tube to replace the kit parts. The photos below from Master Models’ website show the seven parts that make up these details and how the three-part barrel for the 37mm cannon goes together to make a faithful reproduction of the real thing.

Scale Aircraft Conversions has released a set of white-metal front and rear main gear for the Academy CH-46 in 1/48 scale. The set includes three parts, a front gear strut and two main rear struts. These three parts are direct replacements for kit parts A-18, B20(r), and B21(l).

There are two deficiencies in the kit gear that are alleviated by the SAC replacements. First my kit gear had a pin hole in one of the rear supports with significant shrinkage around it. The kit front gear had a large pin ejector mark prominently in the middle of the piece. Replacing with the SAC gear eliminated having to deal with these issues.

The later versions of the Focke-Wulf 190 A series, the A-7 and A-8, were some of the most heavily armed aircraft to fly in the Luftwaffe. To that end, Master provides you with some impressive looking armament in their 1/32 scale Fw 190 A7-A9 Armament Set & Pitot Tube package.

Packaged inside a ziplock bag, the set features instructions and a separate bag with each style of armament packed separately. The benefit of turned-metal barrels is that they are perfectly round with no sprue attachment or mold seam line to remove, and they have hollow ends. The barrels are also very robust, easily avoiding bends during handling, and I need all the help I can get with that problem.

The pitot tube is mounted in different positions on the A-7 and the A-8, and Master points this out in the instructions.

Quickboost now offers model builders a set of gun barrels and pitot tube to replace those in Trumpeter’s 1:48 scale MiG-3 (Late) kit. The MiG-3 was armed with three machine guns: one 12.7 mm UBS heavy machine gun and two 7.62 mm mm ShKAS machine guns.

The Quickboost gun barrels are impressive. They have hollow openings, the detail is very crisp and there are no injection molding seam lines for the modeler to eliminate. The pitot tube also is impressive. It is thinner than the kit part and correctly detailed for the under wing installation of the late type MiG-3.

The L-39 Albatross is an advanced trainer/light attack double-seat jet aircraft of Czech design that has seen service with over two dozen air forces and several of them are currently being used in the civilian market. Avant Garde Models (AMK) has recently released the first injection model of this significant aircraft trainer in 48th scale.

“Capali” and “Capeti” are special markings used by Hungarian L-39 at the 2004 Kecskemet Airshow. The names of the airplanes correspond to the Canadian TV show “Sharky and George”, however the airplanes camouflages do not match the colorful characters of the TV Show.

Capali sports a disruptive camouflage of green and sand over light blue, with a striking Hungarian flag in the tail, while Capeti is an overall aircraft grey. Both aircraft seem to have their camouflage “peeling off” and showing a shark nose, with teeth and eyes around the nose.

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