The limitations inherent in the injection molding process for model kits always tends to create some scale details that are soft and less than realistic. The gun barrels in the Airfix 1/72 Bf-109E kit have some issues in that the cowl guns are molded as part of the cowling surface, and the wing guns have sprue attachments points that will make removal and cleanup difficult. Quickboost provides an alternative with its resin gun barrels. The barrels are molded with the attachment at the base of the unit, which provide clean sides and only a bit of cleanup when removed from the pour stub. Installing the wing guns would be simple, as they will be a drop-in replacement, but the cowling guns would have to be filed off and holes drilled for those barrels to be attached. This would be an easy project for experienced modelers, and might be a good first resin project for beginner modelers. Highly Recommended!

Another interesting, timely upgraded cockpit from Aires – thanks from IPMS USA for providing us this excellent upgrade!

If you have not built an Aires cockpit before, have a light read here. They are worth the time and cash, but require a bit more work than just a paint and “drop in” session.

The Meng Me-410 cockpit is an excellent item as it is; the Aires replacement provides fineness and detail which is lacking in the basic injected kit item. The assembly process is as follows: CAREFULLY remove the excess resin from the bottom and back of the cockpit tubs. I use a small Delta belt sander for this; it’s a great way to destroy small parts, so be careful. You can also put some really cool debridement of your skin and knuckles on the list. The other cleanup option includes a razor saw, a glove on the holding hand, and patience…then a sanding block to clean up, and more patience. Go slowly, no matter what method you use.

Quickboost has released a complete set of replacement control surfaces for modelers who wish to finish their Tamiya’s 1/72 Focke Wulf Fw-190A-3 with the rudder deflected and stabilizers dropped. These parts were available previously in two Quickboost sets (QB 72 309 – Stabilizers & QB 72 311 – Rudders). But, now Quickboost offers everything in one set.

The parts are cast in the typical Quickboost medium gray resin that is both flexible and resilient. Detail is crisp, with recessed panel lines that are curiously close to those found on the kit parts. It looks like Quickboost started with the Tamiya kit parts, cut them apart, and added a groove in the stabilizers so the elevators will fit properly in whatever position the modeler desires. It also appears that Quickboost added a V–shaped edge to a rudder that was separated from a Tamiya kit so it will fit perfectly against the fin after the rudder is cut away from the kit part.

The usual "Thanks very much" goes out to our friends and suppliers at Aires for providing us this marvelous exhaust nozzle; you have made quite a niche in the market, and IPMS USA is pleased to review your products!

This is an upgrade to the existing kit exhaust nozzle. As it is, there are only two parts to the Kinetic kit afterburner/reheat section; with a bit of paint and drybrush, an acceptable exhaust can be obtained.

With the Aires upgrade, not only do you get a much more detailed hot section and fairing, you get a photo etch flameholder, a detailed augmenter tube, and a super-detailed exhaust nozzle and external aerodynamic fairing petals. The only difficulty I had was attaching the exhaust nozzle assembly to the augmenter tube, but a bit of light grinding of the augmenter tube fixed that problem…it all fit well once I did that.

Background

The C-130 doesn’t need much introduction. It’s the mainstay transport aircraft for numerous nations, and has been serving the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1957. The newest C-130 is the C-130J, which incorporates many avionics upgrades, and most notably newer engines with six-blade props. The WC-130J is the USAF’s newest Hurricane Hunter, specifically designed to fly into the eyes of hurricanes to gather potentially life-saving data.