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Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.
Package

Zero Model 22 Photo/etch Details
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.95

Brengun offers 1/72 model builders a way to add to the detail of the already highly detailed Tamiya A6M2 Type 22 Zero kit. Set BRL 72074 provides about 70 parts on a single photo-etch fret and two on a printed acetated sheet that will combine to enhance the cockpit and exterior details of the a/c. The photo below of the instruction sheet shows where the details are to be installed. Each of the small photo-etched parts is impressive. The detail is very crisp and well etched on nickel-plated metal.

Box Art

F-16C/D Vipers – The Next Generation
Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Caracal Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.99

I love small air forces and I love the F-16 (and not just because they are based at Hill AFB just up the street) so a decal sheet that combines both is always high on my list.

This new sheet by Caracal delivers. 5 of the 6 schemes are small air forces with the other scheme a Minnesota Air National Guard version in a new camo. The decals are printed by Cartograf who have a solid reputation and feature the following markings:

Front Cover

Hauptmann Godwin von Brumowski – Austria-Hungary’s Ace of Aces
Book Author(s)
Ivan Berryman
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
The Great War Aviation Society
MSRP
$24.50

The name Hauptmann Godwin von Brumowski may not immediately register with model builders, but those who build WWI aircraft models probably have given his bright red Albatros a second look when considering a vivid scheme while building a model of that aircraft.

Product Picture

F-15C Eagle Electronic Boxes
Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.50

Hasagawa’s 1/72nd scale F-15C kit is regarded as one of the better kits of the Eagle. This new item from Quickboost is a direct replacement for the sidewall in the cockpit. Eyeballing this looks like you may need to do some modifications to the floor part as well but should all look good once that is complete

Clean up is simple so no instructions are provided.

This item makes a nice update to the interior of the Hasagawa kit.

Thanks to Quickboost, Aires Hobby Models and to the IPMS/USA for the review kit.

Quickbooost Package

Ilyushin IL-2 Exhaust
Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$5.00

Tamiya’s 1/72nd scale IL-2 Stormovik kit is a great looking kit with fine details. But, as usual, there are always ways to improve. This new item from Quickboost is a direct replacement for the exhausts in the kit. The advantage is they are hollowed out so you don’t have to try and attempt that yourself.

Clean up is simple to remove them from the resin backing so no instructions are provided.

All in all a quick and simple replacement that will add that extra bit of detail to your IL-2.

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review kit.

Box Art

Focke-Wulf FW 190D-9
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Hobby Boss
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$28.99

Hobbyboss continues their FW190/Ta152 series with this FW190D-9. The kit consists of 118 beautifully engraved plastic parts, a sheet of 6 photoetch pieces and 5 clear parts. markings are included for:

  • II/JG6, Black 12 BuNo 500570 from May 8, 1945
  • 7/JG 301, BuNo 400208, April 1945

There is an excellent set of decals with full stencils. The only thing I noticed right up front was the lack of seatbelts which I remedied with a Reheat set.

Package

MiG-3 Decals (Pt. 3)
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
HAD Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$15.50

HAD Models is a Hungarian company that manufactures decals and distributes aftermarket detail parts. A visit to their website shows that their decal sets fill some voids and provide model builders with a variety of well-documented markings (particularly Hungarian, Russian and German a/c). HAD Models’ decals are on a par with major brands: They are printed on thin decal film in vivid opaque colors. The graphics are crisp and accurately registered. Many (but not all) sets include stencil data.

Set 48131 is devoted to Soviet MiG-3s that defended the homeland in 1941 and 1942. The set provides national insignia and specific markings for seven aircraft:

Set Contents

Fw 190 Landing Gear
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions has released a set of main and rear landing gear parts for Hobby Boss Fw 190s in 1/48 scale. The set includes four parts: two main landing gear struts and a two-part rear landing gear (which proves to be a godsend—more on that later).

The two main gear are drop in replacements. However, you’ll want to compare them to the kit struts to make sure you install each gear leg on the correct side of the aircraft; you could easily install them in reverse, which would give you an incorrect stance. The easiest way to make sure they are correctly installed, is to ensure that the torque link is facing back, towards the tail. Before painting, I removed the faint seam lines and polished the retraction strut parts to a shiny silver. This was left in natural metal by masking the area off. Polishing the gear is a great way to replicate the shiny look, and although its a little hard to see behind the wheel and gear flap once assembled, it looks great.

Cover

Wrecks and Relics – The Indispensable Guide to Britain's Aviation Heritage

Book Author(s)
Ken Ellis
Review Author
John Noack
Published on
Company
Crecy Publishing, Ltd.
MSRP
$36.95

If you ever wish to locate an aircraft in Great Britain that is on display in a museum, in the hands of a private collector, undergoing restoration, or moldering away in a field, this is your go-to reference. Author Ken Ellis has obviously made it his life's work to locate, document, and track the 5000+ aircraft that fall into one or more of these categories within the bounds of the British Isles. Over 700 types – ranging from front line Lightnings to obscure one-of-a-kind homebuilts – are found within, sorted by geographical location. Of course, all the great museums – Duxford, the FAAM in Yeovilton, the RAF Museum in London – are represented, but who knew that a Westland Wasp was being kept in the hands of a private collector in Kirkham (“on the A583 between Blackpool and Preston”, p.94).

Set Contents

X-47B Landing Gear
Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$17.95

Ross MacMillan and Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) continue to put our sturdy white-metal landing gear for many, if not all, of the new releases. This set is for the Freedom Models X-47B, the USN's UAV that is currently undergoing testing. Freedom Models’ kit is awesome and builds into a great representation of the UAV. One thing that hits you when you open the box is its size. It has a 62-foot wingspan, almost double a P-51’s! With that size of plane, white-metal gear could really help support it.

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