Each issue of Scale Aircraft Modeling follows a basic design and format. There are usually two Feature Articles, an Aviation in Profile piece, industry news and a series of Compact Build Reviews.

The Feature articles for this issue covers a Ex-Adversaries Reunited and A Model 1/72 Mil-Mi-10 Heavy Lift Helo. The Ex-Adversaries build is Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk Vb and FW190A-3 built in after war markings of the Turkish Air Force. The build covers weathering and construction and uses TigerHead decals for the markings. .

The other Feature article takes A Models 1/72nd Mi-10 which is super detailed. This build, by Brain Wakeman, makes the entire issue. First, he started with a limited run kit which presents issues for modelers. Second, there is a fair amount of scratch building and advice and making gems of limited run kits. in the end, the kit is eye-popping and his 500 hours of effort shine in the photos.

• Aerobonus; Wing pylons for F-4B/N/J/S (U.S. NAVY version); # 480055; $8.95
• Aires; F-4B/N Phantom II wheel bays; # 4579; $21.95
• Aires; F-4B/N Phantom II auxiliary air intake; # 4578; $12.95

Aires has released several nice detail sets for the new Academy F-4 series, and these three sets go a long way to enhancing the look of the Academy kit. With each of these pieces, as with all Aries work that I’ve ever come across, the engraved lines are petite and the detail is crisp.

Aerobonus latest release is the LAU-3 US Navy Rocket Container. The LAU-series was generally used by the fixed-wing aircraft of the Air Force and Navy. The -3 version delivered 19 air-launched 2.75 FFAR rockets either individually, in sequence, or all at once. This set depicts the Navy version. Looking at various planes, I found pictures of the F4J Fury and Skyraider with these rockets on the pylons, and I am sure there are more, including Phantoms.

This set contains 10 resin parts to make 2 pods. There is also a small decal sheet to cover the markings. There are tail cones and nose cones included. Research shows that these were not in use towards the end of the war. Color is white for Navy use, with the front and back plates being unpainted steel.

Jagdstaffel 17, better known as Jasta 17, was one of the premier German fighter squadrons of World War I. It began as Kampfstaffel Metz, and later became known as Jasta 17. Although not as famous some of the other units, it nevertheless produced its share of aces, and three of its members were knights of the Orden Pour le Merite, holders of the coveted Blue Max. Julius Buckler, with 35 confirmed victories, was the highest scoring ace of Kampfstaffel Metz. Other standouts included Oblt Bruno Loerzer, Hermann Goring, Jacob Wolff (who was 48 years old when he scored his last victory, and was also Jewish), Vzfw Christian Donhauser, and a number of others who either transferred in and out of the unit, or served briefly until becoming casualties.

The A-1 Skyraider was known for its ability to carry a “world of hurt” on its underwing pylons. Quickboost has provided a set of pylons for the Tamiya kit that significantly enhance the appearance of an already well-detailed kit. Specifically, the QB parts replace the pylons provided by the Tamiya kit.

Quickboost provides an illustration that clearly indicates the Tamiya kit parts that are replaced by the QB items. QB realizes that some of the parts they provide are very delicate and need additional support in order to arrive on the modeler’s workbench in one piece. QB parts # 5 (sway braces) appear, at first glance, to have “flash” on them. Upon closer inspection you will identify that “flash” as extra support material, protecting the arms of the sway brace. It is not difficult to remove this support material but some caution needs to be exercised in order to prepare the part for placement on the model.