Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
Company
Arma Hobby
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$64.99

Arma Hobby continues to build on their 1/72 scale inventory with the release of this Cactus Air Force Deluxe set. I have previously had the pleasure of reviewing their F4F-4 Wildcat Expert Set (kit 70047) as well as their P-39Q Airacobra (kit 70055) and this release essentially combines the two kits albeit with a different version of the Airacobra. With the addition of 3D printed parts for both aircraft, the already great level of detail is improved for some key areas. I highly recommend this kit to modelers experienced in handling small parts looking to represent the Cactus Air Force planes between August 1942 and February 1943.

Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$13.50

Contents Description

Packaged within the recognizable clear wrapping with the bright orange Quickboost logo, you will find one instruction sheet and three resin castings. As with every Quickboost product, the quality is outstanding.

Instruction Guide

The fold-out instructional sheet shows the three casting parts on the left-hand side and the assembly guide on the right-hand side. It is important to note that the intended kit for this set is the 1/32 Kitty Hawk OV-10D. As indicated by the instructions, the Quickboost resin castings will replace kit parts H23 and H24.

Construction

Being that these are replacement parts, the construction is very straightforward. Carefully remove the parts from the casting blocks. I used a sharp #11 blade to make a score line and then used a microsaw to fully remove the parts. Caution: the resin pylons have two small mounting pins. Do not cut them off! The forward pin is tricky to spot.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
Company
Foxbot
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$12.99

AN-26 History From Wikipedia

While the An-24T tactical transport had proved successful in supporting Soviet troops in austere locations, its ventral loading hatch restricted the handling of cargo. As a result, a version (An-26) with a retractable cargo ramp was designed that allowed the cargo deck to be sealed and pressurized in flight.

The An-26 includes military equipment, such as tip-up paratroop canvas seats, an overhead traveling hoist, bulged observation windows and parachute static line attachment cables. It can be configured in 20-30 minutes from the troop transport or freight mission to the medical evacuation role with up to 24 stretchers fitted.

The Decals

Continuing FOXBOT’S tradition of excellence from Ukraine, these decals are excellent in both registry and color. The carrier film has both minimal margins and thickness making the very pliable for contour and feature coverage.

Book Author(s)
Yancy D. Mailes and Tony R. Landis
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Detail & Scale, Inc.
MSRP
$21.99

F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter – An Illustrated Developmental History is a fantastic book on the development of this remarkable aircraft. There is no operational history nor combat-related photographs in this book. And it should not, nor does it, detract from the book. The development of stealth technology and this record-breaking aircraft deserves its own story. The aircraft and dedicated people that made it possible is brilliantly told and photographed in this book.

The book is presented with five chapters:

Book Author(s)
Jared A. Zichek
Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
Mortons Books
MSRP
$59.99

Mortons Media Group was established in the 19th century and has been producing book-length publications since the early 2000s. The company established a dedicated books division in 2019 and Mortons Books has already earned a reputation for publishing high-quality titles by authors who are true experts in their field. For the best reads on rail, aviation, nostalgia and history, look no further. This book is part of their imprint: Tempest Books addresses all aspects of aviation history are covered in authoritative detail. The aviators and aircraft of the Second World War are profiled by our titles alongside more modern fighters, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft and transports. 'Secret projects' and experimental designs are also an important part of the Tempest Books portfolio.

Book Author(s)
Robert Pied and Nicolas Deboeck
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
HMH Publications
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$33.00

HMH Publications has released another installment of the Duke Hawkins series and it is being distributed in the US by Casemate Publishers.

The 24th installment of the series is devoted to the Agusta Westland A109 helicopter.

In particular this book includes images of helicopters serving with the Belgian Air Force Demonstration Team, plus images of Italian, New Zealand, South Africa and British examples.

The book is organized in the following sections: Types, Belgian Air Force (BAF) Demonstration Team, Forward Fuselage, Fuselage, Main Rotor, Tail Rotor, Cockpit, Main Landing Gear, Vertical Tail, Horizontal Tail, Maintenance and Action.

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Squadron
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$11.95

Last summer Squadron Hobbies released three sets of decals for the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet family. Set 72003 provides decals for three legacy F/A-18C’s - two in high-visibility schemes, the CAG (the carrier air wing commander) aircraft from VFA-192 Golden Dragons (2009) and VFA-34 Blue Blasters (2018) and a standard low visibility scheme from VMFA-122 Werewolves (2009).

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Squadron
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$11.95

Last summer Squadron Hobbies released three sets of decals for the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet family. Set 72002 provides decals for three Super Hornets in high-visibility schemes – two CAG (the carrier air wing commander) aircraft from VFA-81 Sunliners (2009) and VFA-143 Pukin Dog (2009) and an aircraft from VX-9 Vampires (2013).

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Squadron
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$11.95

Last summer Squadron Hobbies released three sets of decals for the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet family. Set 72001 provides decals for three legacy F/A-18C’s in high-visibility schemes, the CAG (the carrier air wing commander) aircraft from VFA-97 Warhawks, VFA-37 Ragin Bulls and VFA-15 Valions (2001).

The instructions include a full color profile view of the left side of each aircraft, the right side of the nose of each jet and full color overhead view along with a color key listing the FS numbers for each color. There is also a small detail drawing of the drop tank markings for each squadron.