Having built the Eduard Bf-109E, I would have loved to have had the prop hub off my open-cowled model but I didn’t have the means to do it effectively. Quickboost now provides you with a five-piece prop and hub, plus an alignment tool.

Molded perfectly in light grey resin, the props are suitably thin and of the correct cross section. You will need to drill a hole for the prop shaft, but it is not a big deal. The mounting pins for the prop blades will ensure correct alignment of the blades. Then, all you have to do is leave off the prop hub and you can add a new dimension to your 109. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Quickboost and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this set.

History

The MiG-23, NATO reporting name Flogger, is a swing-wing aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the former Soviet Union. It is considered to be a third-generation Soviet jet fighter aircraft. It was the first Soviet Union aircraft to utilize look-down/shoot-down radar and one of the first to be armed with beyond visual range missiles. The MiG-23 was also the first production fighter aircraft to have intakes at the sides of the fuselage. Production started in 1970 with over 5,000 aircraft built.

The design of the MiG-23 was influenced by the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and the General Dynamics F-111. The Soviets required a lighter, single-engined fighter to maximize agility. The F-111 and the MiG-23 were initially designed as fighters, but the heavy weight and instability of the F-111 eliminated it from the fighter role. The Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau kept the MiG-23 light and agile enough to dogfight with enemy fighters.

More goodies from Eduard for the Revell 1/48 PV-1. In this review, we'll look at the Brassin wheels. Each set consists of two perfectly cast resin wheels with one hub molded in and a diamond tread. The second hub is separate. Also included is a PE fret with brake lines and covers if you need them for the outboard hub. A mask set is also included.

Removing the wheel from the hub takes a bit of time as the pour stub wraps around 20% of the tire. The treads need to be engraved once the removal is complete. The rest of the installation was a breeze and they take paint well. I used the covers, as my version had them mounted. The set replaces the main wheels only. And they are much better that the kit wheels (see the shot I included) with much better tread design and accuracy.

These are great and dress an already excellent kit nicely with better detail for a good price. Recommended. My thanks to Eduard and IPMS/USA for the chance to review them.

This Dutch publication from Violaero by authors Nico Braas and Srecko Bradic is chock-full of photos and detail drawings of Martin’s PBM in all its variants. They managed to pack a lot of good information into its 48 pages, with several photos which were new to me – and I’m a real Mariner fan.

When this item came up for review, I did a little research and found early P-61's didn't have a connection for the external fuel tanks (but they were soon added). Those thirsty engines needed more fuel for ferrying and long range runs, sond to accommodate that, they came up with a fuel tank with an aerodynamic fairing behind it that fit where the turret would ultimately end up. Great Wall's first release of the Black Widow is a perfect selection for Quickboost’s latest release, an external fuel tank. The set consists of two parts, a tank insert and the fairing behind it. Installation is simplicity itself. The main tank fits right into the hole which is blanked off normally. The aerodynamic fairing needs its flash sanded off and to be glued in place and, if you want, a fuel line could be added.

This is a great add-on for early P-61's. It is easy, simple, and adds interest to the kit. Recommended. My thanks to Quickboost and IPMS/USA for the review sample.