Speed Hunter Graphics, a new venture by Reid Air Publications, has released their first decal sheet, and it is devoted to F-4 Phantom airframes that are “MiG-21” killers. I should point out that all of the decal options represent versions of the airframes in the post-Vietnam era, with some of them featuring non-SEA camouflage, but still displaying the “kill” markings. This makes the decal options more attractive and unique.

The sheet includes:

1. F-4D 66-7554, 906TFG SEA wraparound camo "City of Fairborn" nose art 1983
2. F-4D 66-7550, 507TFG Hill II camo 1989
3. F-4C 63-7676, 154CW, Hawaii ANG, SEA wraparound camo, 1984
4. F-4C 63-0589, 191FIG, Michigan ANG, ADC gray, 1979
5. F-4C 64-0776, 142FIG, Oregon ANG, Hill II camo 1989
6. F-4C 64-0829, 482TFW, SEA wraparound, 1982

Options two and five are also included in 1/32 scale as a bonus.

The 1/32 B-17G by HK Models was a kit that I really wanted to get my hands on, and last year I finally acquired one. I have been waiting to build it, slowly getting aftermarket pieces for the kit. When I had a chance to review the Master Model .50 cal. brass machine gun barrels, I jumped at it.

The package contains 13 turned-brass barrels, 13 brass cooling jackets with drilled holes and 4 brass flash suppressors. Right out of the package, I could see these were of very good quality. When I compared them to the kit barrels it was no contest; the kit barrels were so crude one would think that HK made a mistake. First, they were too thin. Next, they had 4 different lengths, and finally, the blast suppressors looked like cones on the ends. The Master Model barrels are about as perfect as you can get and the quality is first rate.

Master Model is a scale model metal detailing parts manufacturer located in Poland. Their lines include exquisitely detailed photo-etched and white metal replacement parts for aircraft and ships in the most commonly produced scales.

Master has produced a replacement nose pitot for the venerable old Monogram B-58 Hustler kit. Chances are that if you are tackling this aging kit, you’ll want some aftermarket goodies to dress up and/or supplement the old, brittle plastic parts where possible. The turned metal pitot is a clean plug-in replacement for the kit plastic part.

History

Entering RAF squadron service in 1960, the Lightning represented a quantum leap in capability and performance over the RAF’s previous interceptor jets, offering Mach 2+ performance as well as a phenomenal rate of climb. Until its retirement in the 1980s, the Lightning had few rivals for outright speed and climbing ability, however it did have some shortcomings, most notably its lack of range as well as its limited armament of just two air to air missiles. The F3 Lightning introduced an enlarged ventral tank with later versions being equipped with over wing tanks, improving the range of the lightning further. These versions deleted the nose guns of the earlier variants, thus reducing the ability of the Lightning pilots to get in close with their opponents. They also did nothing to overcome its missile deficiency, with the Lightning still having to rely on just two missiles.

Thanks to Ross at SAC for continuing to provide us review items; we at IPMS USA sincerely appreciate your contributions!

This set is, yet again, a simple drop-in replacement for the kit items. The set contains two main gear struts, a nose gear, and the retraction strut for the nose gear. Definitely a must if you are adding a lot of weight to the model; and particularly useful if everyone who views your model wants to “spin the rotor” (too much temptation) and see if it works.

(Office fun if you take models to work: Make your wheels, props and rotors fit real tight and watch the face of the holder when they snap off parts. Of course, there is the repair, but it’s a common theme.)