Reviews of products for scale aircraft models.

Review Author
Robert Folden
Published on
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.00

First let me start off by saying if you have never bought/used a set of TwoBobs decals, you are missing out! Twobobs Aviation Graphics are the makers of some of the best, and arguably most interesting, decals sets. They like to tackle the rarer paint schemes and the new Florida Makos set is no exception.

The set includes marking/choices for 4 aircraft of the 482nd Fighter Wing out of Homestead, Florida [otherwise known as the Florida Makos]. Not only do you get three standard aircraft, but they have also included the Commanding Officer’s plane. The set allows you to mark up two full aircraft, so you can easily do the CO plane and one other. The markings are beautifully done, with very little film around the edges, and bright colorful printing. The artwork features the signature Mako sharks in some of the best printing I’ve seen in decals. TwoBobs has also gone the extra mile to include weapons decals and alternate decals for the different F-16 kits available.

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.95

Quickboost.net just keeps adding to their great line of quality resin aircraft accessories. The latest addition is for the Hasegawa F4F Wildcat. It is up to their usual standards; molded in grayish cream colored resin, smooth, seamless and bubble free. One thing of note is that they are really easy to remove from the mold block with just a few passes from a hobby saw.

The stabilizers that come in the Hasegawa kit are okay and are molded as one piece but the Quickboost.net parts are molded as two pieces so that they can be modeled in the down position. The Quickboost stabilizers are superior and add just that much more realism to the finished kit. The resin parts are very easy to install and fit in place perfectly.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$9.95

Eduard continues to provide model builders with an ever-growing list of convenient pre-cut paint masks. JX 112 is designed to make life easier for those building either of Special Hobby’s two A5M2 kits. Like other Eduard mask sets, this one is made of Kabuki tape (similar to Tamiya’s masking tape) and contains precut masks for the kit’s windscreen and wheels. The masks will adhere well to any flat or curved surface, so masking is a breeze and they and can easily be removed after paining is completed. A simple instruction sheet is included to guide the masking process.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$32.00

Aires continues to add to its line of resin detail sets for 1/32 aircraft kits. One of the latest is a resin and P/E detail set for detailing the cockpit of Trumpeter’s new Bf109F kits. Aires’ product name, Bf109GF-2/F-4 indicates that some of the parts also can be used to detail the cockpit of a Trumpeter Bf109G. The detail in the resin components is crisp, delicate and busy enough to make the cockpit quite convincing. No clean up is required and, as usual, with Aires resin there are no pinholes to worry about. The resin is not brittle, but reasonable care should be exercised when removing the small parts from the casting block. A #11 blade or razor saw can be used to remove most parts, and a swipe with a sanding stick will work to smooth the cut edges.

Review Author
Bill Kluge
Published on
Company
Wingnut Wings, Ltd
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$65.00

1918. A conversation overheard in a Jasta commander’s office as he questions a replacement pilot:

What did you train on?
The usual machine, Herr Hauptmann, an out-of-date Pfalz.
That’s what you’ll be flying here, too.
But…at flying school they told…
Flying school! In flying school, they’ll tell you anything. Up-to-date machines go to experienced pilots. Both are in short supply. It’s a cruel world, Stachel.
Yes, Herr Hauptmann.

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$13.95

Aires has added the late model Aces 2 ejection seat to their 1/72 aircraft accessory line. Aires doesn’t specify any kit for this one so it should fit in any model aircraft that would use the Aces 2 seat. I picked the Italeri F-15. They also include 2 seats so you can do either two single seats or one 2 seat aircraft.

This offering is a quality piece of resin; smooth, seamless and bubble free. The detail is very nice and is far superior to the kit seats, which usually are 3 pieces and have seams to fix. All that is needed to install the seat is to remove the molding block and install it with a drop of CA. Another added plus for this set is that the seatbelts and other detail are included as a PE set.

I highly recommend this set if you want a superior looking kit, sometimes just adding a great looking seat in a kit really dresses it up. Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the chance to do this review.

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
Company
Pavla Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$31.95

Pavla has come out with a Bomb Bay and Wheel well set for the Hasegawa 1/72 S-3A Viking. When you first look at the Hasegawa kit you realize that the Bomb bay doors are molded in the closed position. This may be okay for the S-3B but the A model carried Torpedoes. After all it was a sub hunter, so who wouldn’t want a bomb bay?

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
Company
Pavla Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.95

Pavla models has added a control surfaces set for the Hasegawa S-3A Viking to their 1/72 aircraft accessory line. When you look at the Hasegawa kit you realize why Pavla has made this set. There are absolutely no frills on this model. Even the torpedo bay doors are molded shut.

This offering is really a quality set of resin pieces; smooth, seamless and bubble free. The detail is also very nice and doesn’t need any extra work to bring out the detail. Some of the kit pieces will have to be cut from the kit so it isn’t for the faint of heart. Sometimes I still get nervous when I have to do plastic surgery and I also need to make sure I have plenty of Band Aids.

Review Author
Phil Pignataro
Published on
Company
Dutch Decal
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$18.50

This decal sheet is a commemorative release celebrating twenty-five years of business for Dutch Decals and as such is a “limited edition printing”. As you might expect from a manufacturer with this name, the densely packed sheet supplies decals for three historic aircraft in the KLu/RNeth AF. It has marking for twenty-three options: five Hunters, six Thunderstreaks, and twelve Starfighters. Most are basic operational schemes, but there are some with more colorful options. One is a Hunter sporting a replica of the New Guinea flag on the tail and another is a Starfighter with a shark-mouth and a red/white/blue rudder. While you have a bunch of options to choose from there are, however, roundels for only three aircraft, one of each type. You can get around this limitation if you have the Revell of GermanyHunter by using the kit supplied Dutch national insignia and then using this sheet’s insignia for another version.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$8.95

This excellent set from Master Models in Poland is direct replacements for the kits parts. The larger pitot tube is aluminum and the AOA probes are brass (or at least that is the color they are!)

The pitot tube is excellent with better shape that the corresponding plastic part and no seam to clean up. It fits in the same location so it is a straight replacement. The AOA probes will need holes drilled out but it is also an easy, no brainer.

As many times in my model building life as I have had to replace or repair probes like this that snap off due to handling or moving to contests, these sets are perfect, durable and more correct than the kit parts. Highly recommended and at a very reasonable prices

My thanks to Master Models and IPMS/USA for a chance to perk up my 1/32 Tornado.