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Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.
Front cover

The Modern Super Hornet Guide, The Boeing F-18E/F & EA-18G Exposed
Book Author(s)
Jake Melampy
Review Author
Rob Benson
Published on
May 30, 2011
Company
Reid Air Publications
MSRP
$39.95

Thanks to Jake of Reid Air Publications and to IPMS USA for giving me the opportunity to review this astonishing book.

I do not use the term astonishing lightly. I have quite a few built-up F-18A and later models in my collection, dating back to a highly modified and corrected Testors F-18 in 72-scale, ca. 1982. I swore at the Italeri kit, released and built about 9 or so years ago in 48-scale. I started research on an EA-18G recently. Every single question, concern, and nagging detail consideration on any Super Hornet kit I’ve wrestled with is answered by this book. A modeler in research mode will find answers less in the chapter text, but more in a very thoroughly documented or captioned series of photographs, often referencing back to page numbers in the text. Reproductions of some tech data are included, for example, weapons and stores loadout charts.

Kitset contents

Lightning F6 Cockpit Set

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
May 26, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$47.00

Thanks once again to Aires for providing IPMS/USA the opportunity to review yet one more of their excellent cockpit sets.

Included are 10 resin parts for the cockpit tub, seat, instrument panel, and a control stick; there are also a couple smaller resin parts to represent the whiskey compass on the forward canopy framing. A photoetch fret is included to provide realistic seat harness components, including buckles, etc.

Kitset contents

Instrument Dial Decals Generic WW1
Review Author
Ed Harm
Published on
May 23, 2011
Company
Airscale Model Aircraft Enhancements
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$10.40

The product is well packaged, protected and includes the instrument decal sheet measuring 2 ¾ inches x 2 ¾ inches and a 1 ¾ x 1 ¾ thin clear plastic sheet for lenses. Explanations for the 33 World War One instruments are indexed on the instruction sheet which is very simple. The decals are very high quality with superb registrations and vivid sharpness even under magnification. This product works well with Microscale and Tamiya decal solutions. Care should be taken when using Solvaset, too much can almost melt the smaller ones.

Sadly, I could not apply these to a 1/32 scale WW1 aircraft, because I don’t own any. But this would be a dandy excuse to start into them. I did use some of them on another project I’m involved with. A scratch built 1/9 scale science fiction fighting suit. These worked great and gave the interior a nice retro industrial look.

Kitset packaging

Saab J-35 Cockpit Set

Review Author
Scott A. Bregi
Published on
May 23, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$18.50

Another outstanding addition to the Aires line of resin cockpit sets. This set for the Hasegawa 1:72nd scale J-35 Draken is beautifully cast in a medium grey resin and features extremely minute details to include sidewall structure. Anyone who loves The Saab Draken will want to add this set to their model. .

The only problem I had and one to pay attention to is fitting of the glare shield under the front windscreen. I inadvertently removed too much plastic and this left gaps near where the windscreen fits to the fuselage. I recommend test fitting often and only remove a very small amount of the plastic at a time. It is way too easy to remove too much material.

Combined packages

RAF Instrument Dial Decals and WW2 Allied Cockpit Placard Decals
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
May 23, 2011
Company
Airscale Model Aircraft Enhancements
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.50

The two decal sets are in clear register, well printed and of great use to the aircraft modeler. Those that scratch build their own instrument panels will find these immensely useful. As one who builds a lot of resin kits I can see these being of great benefit there as well. They also will enhance a kit instrument panel going over the raised detail. Lastly, the gauge decals also include a small rectangle of clear, thin plastic so those with a punch and die set can make their own glass covers for the instruments.

Cover

L-Birds: American Combat Liaison Aircraft of World War II
Book Author(s)
Terry M. Love
Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
May 23, 2011
Company
Flying Books International
MSRP
$19.95

The Story

I bought this book because it was recommended to me by David W. Menard, the noted aviation historian and photographer, after I asked him some questions about American liaison aircraft used in Europe during World War II. Dave suggested that I contact Terry Love, the author, and the result was that I now have a copy of the book. I’m glad I bought it, because it certainly fills a gap in my library, and fills me in on some of the “L” types that were used during the war, and the reason why they were developed at that time. Although the book was originally published in 2001, I was not aware of it until now.

Kitset package

Saab J-35 Exhaust Nozzle

Review Author
Scott A. Bregi
Published on
May 23, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.50

Another outstanding addition to the Aires line of resin detail and upgrade sets. This set for all versions of the venerable Hasegawa 1:72ndscale J-35 Draken. It may be able to fit to other kits but that is for you to find out! It is exquisitely cast in a medium grey resin and features extremely minute details absent from the kit parts. Anyone who loves The Saab Draken will want to add this set to their model. .

Only place to watch out for is cleaning up the inside seams at the top and bottom of the aft fuselage as this will be visible after the new tailpipe is installed. Again test fit many times before committing to glue. I had to install a stop bar of sorts behind and inside the fuselage to keep the nozzle from falling inside.

Aficionados of the Saab Draken will want to add this set to their pride and joy; and don’t forget these other sets:

Package cover sheet & page 1

Casper and his Bandit Ghosts
Review Author
Andy Renshaw
Published on
May 18, 2011
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.00

For those who love modern US Navy and Marine Corps jets, and like camouflage and color, nothing satisfies more than the schemes of an adversary and training squadrons.

VFA-125 also known as the "Rough Raiders" is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The "Rough Raiders" are a Fleet Replacement Squadron flying the F/A-18 Hornet. From the units own home page, their mission “is the indoctrination and training of Navy and Marine Corps personnel for carrier-borne strike fighter squadrons in all phases of F/A-18 employment and, on order, to be prepared to supply replacement aircraft and pilots to the fleet.” They are also the home to the west coast F/A-18C demo team.

Twobobs released this set covering several VFA-125 aircraft providing markings for three “Raiders”:

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