Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$5.29

So, we have a 1/144 Mustang out there from Platz/Eduard, and an interior detail set from Eduard as well, available on in their own release. The canopy on the basic kit is closed, and within the limits of thickness which can be successfully injected. It fits and looks nice (and the Eduard kit has a masking set to go with it.

Insane? Yep. But an open cockpit requires an open canopy. HEAVY insanity. I had to try it. Tweezers: yep. Magnifier for vision: Mandatory Ham hands: Standard.

Here is where Brengun excels! They provide a set of four canopies in a clear plastic envelope which allows (with careful, NEW scalpel or #11 blade work) an open canopy!

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$16.94

This set is designed for use with Modelsvit’s Su-17, Su-20 and Su-22 kits and fits both the 2017 and 2014 kits.

The set provides replacement parts for both the nose landing gear and both main landing gear and is comprised of thirteen parts, five for the nose gear assembly and four for each main landing assembly. The nose gear parts include the nose wheel, but the main gear parts do not. The cast parts are designed to be drop-in replacements for the kit parts.

Book Author(s)
David Francis (Editor)
Andy Evans (managing Editor)
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Phoenix Scale Publications
MSRP
$7.22

With retirement, I have of course had to seriously curtail spending, and as such, just personally had opportunity to read and learn of this magazine by obtaining it from our reviewer corps. I had read a few kerfluffles online about jealous rivals, and this was an opportunity to find out exactly what this new Mag was about. For Simplicity, I am using PAMI as an abbreviated form of the magazine title.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.34

This set from Brengun provides parts to build ten 100lb bombs. Each bomb consists of a resin main body and four photoetched parts to represent the fins and the fuse arming prop on the nose. Separating the bombs from the pour gates is quickly done as they have a pouring extension on the front and are attached to a runner of five at the back. Attaching the fin assemblies requires removing three parts from the photoetch fret. These parts are done in brass and are not only thin, but easy to cut off and clean up. The fin assembly requires the builder to cut a cross hatched slot on the back of each resin bomb. The instructions suggest using a knife, but I found it easier to use a very thin saw blade. Interlocking fin legs are inserted into the slot and a fin “box” is formed by folding the PE part into a square and inserting it into the fin legs. The trick is getting all these parts to align. I didn’t get a usable copy till the third try.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Steven J. Corvi
Published on
Company
David Doyle Books
MSRP
$24.99

The author is David Doyle who is an American writer on historic military vehicles, aircraft, hardware and warships. He has written over 100 books published by various publishers. He also sells books through his own website. He has published through Schiffer publications on numerous occasions. David Doyle books can be purchased directly from the author!

Book Author(s)
Sebastian Piechowiak
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$22.95

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter held several world record “firsts” in 1958: airspeed, altitude, time-to-climb, and becoming the first aircraft to hold all three simultaneously. It was also the first aircraft to be equipped with the M61 Vulcan autocannon, the first production aircraft to achieve Mach 2, and the first aircraft to reach an altitude of 100,000 ft after taking off under its own power. With all these records, it lasted a brief time with the USAF (until 1969 in the USAF and 1975 with Air National Guard). It did; however, serve with distinction with fifteen countries during the Cold War. It was built to intercept, hit with missiles, and run. Born during the end of the Korean War, it was the first aircraft to hit twice the speed of sound with pilot Joe Ozier flying a FY-104A (serial number 55-2955).

Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$19.95

The Zoukei-Mura 1/32 Henschel Hs 129 B-2/RIII was first released in 2019. A new tool version of a Hs 129-B3 was released in 2022.

This SAC landing gear kit is formed of white metal and has excellent detail, as is customary with all SAC products. There are a total of 16 parts. Very little clean up is necessary. There is no visible flash on any of the pieces. After detaching, a light sanding of the spurs is all that is needed. Prior to priming and painting, it is recommended to wash the parts in a mild dish detergent solution to remove any mold release, finger oils, etc.

This replacement set is very nicely detailed and for a large kit such as the Hs 129 B-2RIII, it is an excellent way to increase the sturdiness of your model. I highly recommend this replacement set.

Thank you to Scale Aircraft Conversions for supplying this sample, and thank you for IPMS for the privilege to review it.

Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/18
MSRP
$24.95

The BBI 1/18 F/A-18 Hornet is a fully-painted and detailed plastic display model and belongs to the “Elite Force” family of products. This is not a traditional plastic model kit nor is it a toy. These are prepared display models intended for the serious collector.

This SAC landing gear kit is a replacement for the BBI Hornet’s main landing gear. Because the canopy, all control surfaces and the landing gear are all functional-you can extend and retract the landing gear—they are prone to breaking.

This replacement set is very sturdy and for the scale, it has good basic detail.

Thank you to Scale Aircraft Conversions for supplying this sample, and thank you for IPMS for the privilege to review it.

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$9.30

This set is designed to provide replacement engine nozzles for Revell’s 1/72 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Dauntless kits. The package includes two complete nozzle sets consisting of the flameholder section, the exhaust tube and the nozzle.

As expected with Brengun, the resin parts are well cast and sharply detailed and are intended to be a complete replacement for the kit’ engines. As with any resin set, the first set is to wash the parts to remove and release agent residue. I then used a razor saw to remove the parts from the casting stubs. I have always struggled with this step as I can never quite seem to keep the blade straight all the way through, so I end up having to do some remedial sanding to even the parts up after removal.