Another P-51 Mustang joins the continuing parade of new releases of this subject. This one from KP is advertised as a “new tool” for 2024 on the box top. I’ve had my share of challenges building KP kits, so I went into this build with high hopes. They get high marks for presentation.
The 20-page instruction manual is presented in Eduard’s usual manner, on heavy gauge glossy paper, and begins with a thorough history of this aircraft. Care must be taken to ensure all the different options, based on the scheme you choose, are completed. The steps are often very “busy”, and it would behoove the modeler to read things three or four times before committing to cement.
The decal sheet, covering options for seven aircraft, is generous, to say the least. All markings are in perfect register. A separate, smaller decal sheet is provided for the myriad of data stenciling. The carrier film disappears under a coat of Micro-Sol, but as is now widely known, this film can be carefully peeled off once dried. I have not had much success with that technique, and I do not recommend it. Having said that, even the “Red Tulip” decal on the nose responded well to Micro-Sol.
I had never heard of this company before but they were included in a recent Eduard P-51B kit. These are plugs of flexible EVA foam that you just slide into the opening of the wheel well prior to painting the outside color. The foam can be a number of colors. The color does not really matter, they work regardless of foam color.
To say I was skeptical would be an understatement. I tried a set recently on my two models and found them to be excellent. They are push fit into the opening and are reusable. So, if you build multiple kits of the same airplane you’ll find these little plugs to be an investment that will save you lots of masking time.
This particular set is designed for the Eduard FW-190A-5 and A-6 kits, kit # 82143, 82149, 82148 although I can’t see why they wouldn’t fit the A-7, A-8 and possibly the D-9. They are all the same shape of wheel well opening.
Guideline Publications Guideline Publications is the UK's leading publisher of modeling and hobby-related magazines. With a world-class portfolio of titles and an international Social Media presence, Guideline Publications has a dedicated readership that is constantly expanding into new areas. This English language book, Mil Mi-4 Hound, is authored by Jakub Fojtik, Ph.D. and illustrated by Petr Kolmann. The latest in Guideline’s Warpaint series, 144, was published on September 1, 2024. A digital edition will soon be available. The latest on Guideline’s publications can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/guidelinepub/
From author David Baker’s Preface,
This is the first in a series of 15 volumes covering the story of US land-based and naval air power during the Cold War between 1945 and 1990. The series is divided into five separate chronological periods, each with three dedicated volumes subjectively aligned with significant developments in the history of American combat aircraft and US air power.
The intention is to provide a broad, spectral analysis of the origin, design, development and evolution of US Air Force combat aircraft as well as the political, industrial, design and manufacturing base from which they, and their variants, were developed. The volumes provided for each period, covering fighters and bombers, together present a story of US military air power.
Yahu has been producing photoetched instrument panels for models in Poland since 2013, for those who may not be familiar with the company. One of their latest releases is this 1/32 scale instrument set for the Fokker Dr.1 triplane from Meng. While the Dr.1 did not have a panel of instruments, there were individual instruments mounted within and outside the cockpit. Modelers with some experience with photoetched parts should have no issues using this set with their triplane.
Euro Decals has provided the IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the WWII Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIb. Though there is no specific mention of a preferred model company, it coincides with Arma Hobby’s Hurricane Mk.IIb kit production.
This 1/72 decal sheet covers eight (8) schemes:
As Modelsvit states on their website, they specialize in short run (limited production) kits. The kit builds up into a reasonable scale model of the P-51H. Modeling experience with limited run kits and patience will result in a reasonable representation of one. This kit is not for beginners! It is really for experienced modelers.
The Modelsvit P-51H was first released in 2019. The version of the kit in this review was re-released in 2023 with a new set of markings. There have been a few P-51H’s released earlier by Hawk, Historic Plastic Models, and Classic Airframes in this scale. I have no idea how those build up, so there is no comparison to those kits.
Euro Decals has provided IPMS/USA reviewer corps with a wonderful decal set for the WWII Vought Corsair in 1/32nd scale. There is no specific mention of a preferred model kit, however, the decals are for the following variants: F4U-1, -1A, -A, Mk. II, and Brewster F3A.
This 1/32nd scale decal sheet covers seven (7) aircraft schemes:
These sets from Yahu Models have intrigued me for a while now. This opportunity to do the review through IPMS was the perfect opportunity to try them out. I just happen to have a 1/24 Spit in my stash.
