Reviews of products for scale figures and diorama models.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$20.00

Finding helicopter crew member figures, especially in 1/48th scale has been like finding hen's teeth. Thankfully, ICM has listened, and provided modelers with some great figures in this scale. Finally, we have a modern helicopter crew in 1/48. These are the most recent US Army helicopter pilots and crew.

Packaged in a really sturdy top opening cardboard box with the artwork on a sleeve that fits over it protects the entire contents from anything short of fire or a trash compactor. Inside you’ll find a single sprue of light grey plastic that contains 32 beautiful parts for THREE figures.

There are two pilots and a crew chief. The crew wear A2CU OCP flight suits with Aircrew Combat Equipment (ACE). There is a two-sided instruction sheet included that has the ICM paint numbers and full color of the subjects. A nice touch is the small box that explains the multicam camouflage colors and how they should look.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$64.99

ICM continues its current conflict series with Drone Hunters, a part of their DS (Diorama Series) line. This kit combines the M1097A2 Heavy HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) with a Soviet DShKM machine gun and three figures (one manning the DShKM, one with binoculars and one holding the MANPADS (MAN Portable Air Defense System, in this case a FIM-91 Stinger) in firing position).

Drone Warfare

Referencing the ICM website and instruction sheet, "Drones have become a crucial element of modern warfare, fundamentally changing combat operations. Today, hundreds or even thousands of drones are deployed in a single day of fighting. Kamikaze drones—aerial strike vehicles—present a significant danger. These range from small units weighing just a few kilograms to large platforms approaching aircraft size.

Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$96.00

On August 3, 1914, Germany declared war on France, intending to use an early form of blitzkreig to force a surrender within roughly 40 days. Moving their forces through then-neutral Belgium, the Schlieffen Plan was to sweep down from the north and quickly take Paris, enveloping the French forces as well.

Things, as they say, did not go as planned. Germany’s violation of Belgian neutrality quickly brought Britain into the war. The combined French and British forces, after retreating some 160 miles, regrouped in the Marne River Valley, some 25 miles from the outskirts of Paris. By then, the Germans were stretched thin, exhausted after the month-long campaign with severe shortages caused by outrunning their own supply lines.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Agora Models
Scale
1/2
MSRP
$1,500.00

Agora Models is out of England, and they specialize in large-scale, highly detailed and illuminated/automated models of all genres. This goes from figures such as Alien and Optimus Prime to ships like the Constitution and Bismarck to vehicles such as Aston Martin DB 5 and Lotus Esprit to military vehicles such as a Leopard tank and aircraft like the Japanese Zero. All are large scale from 1/2 for some figures to 1/200 for the ships. The kits are made of everything from die cast zinc to wood to plastic. Due to their size and complexity, they are expensive, but Agora has softened that by selling them as very reasonable monthly subscriptions. And when you are done, you have a showstopper.

Review Author
Tom Dunford
Published on
Company
Atlantis Model Company
Scale
1/8
MSRP
$24.99

In the Box and Molding Quality

Atlantis Models has re-released the classic Aurora 1:8 scale Blue Knight of Milan figure kit, which originally appeared in 1958. As the current owner of the Aurora trademark, Atlantis included the original box art and period instructions. The kit comprises approximately 35 parts molded in a metallic blue styrene, spread across several sprues, along with the traditional small red feather plume. The molding quality is generally good. Minor flash was present, primarily along the parting lines, but was easily removed during part preparation. Ejector pin marks were either absent or located in areas that would be hidden after assembly.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Bandai
Scale
NA
MSRP
$50.00

So I had an opportunity, thanks to IPMS Usa and Hobbytyme to build a Gundam, suit. I have seen them become more and more popular over the years and the local hobby stores have rows of them, so I was curious as I do not limit my modeling to one genre. First, what is Gundam? Gundam is a Japanese military science fiction media and features giant robots called Gundam’s. It started in 1979 and has spread to movies, TV shows, manga, novels, video games as well as of course models.

The subject of this review is from the movie Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Endless Waltz special edition released in 1998. They remind me of Pacific Rim which also featured large, cool giant robots.

Inside the box you will find 14 sprues in colors ranging from white, to gray to metallic to blue and a sprue which also is molded in 5 colors. Molding is great and there is no flash. There are about 362 parts.

Review Author
Will Kuhrt
Published on
Company
Bandai
Scale
N/A
MSRP
$35.00

I have built several Gundam kits, but this figure is not typical of what you might envision. This kit features a character named Miorine Rembran, which is a deuteragonist (in literature the 2nd leading character), the mobile suit of the Witch from Mercury.

Before proceeding, a quick primer on Gundam. Gundam are mechanized mobile suits, popularized in Japanese Manga and Anime books and films. The Gundam universe contains a vast assortment of characters: this character, Miorine, is a 16-year-old schoolgirl at the Asticassia School of Technology.

The Bandai kit contains five color sprues and one clear sprue (the stand). Two sticker/decal sheets are provided. The colorful instruction guide is easy to follow.

Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Squadron
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$9.99

Please note: This is a multi-item review; handles and rollers can be purchased individually from Squadron as noted in the review itself. Pricing is for each individual component.

This is a benchmark tool and a game-changer for 1/35 armor modelers. It is a wonder it hasn’t been made before.

From the Squadron.com website:

Real tanks leave deep tracks on the ground wherever they go...and so should your model. Designed to imprint track marks into scale model terrain and bases without damaging the model or its tracks. Simply roll the imprint into your groundwork, and remember to wash any excess base material from the roller after use. This Track Roller Handle works with all the Squadron Track Rollers.

Review Author
Chris Vandegrift
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$10.20

These brass pad eyes have a good appearance to them with a slight bit of texture just on the inside diameter. I think this will help it take paint and give some depth to the inside of the pad. On the real ones, this section rolls down into the bowl, so having a slightly different tone on the ID should give an appearance of depth. These pad eyes measure out at 5/16 inches in diameter, at 1:32 scale, that is 10 inches. Check your references to make sure this matches the assembly or carrier deck you are working with. The brass is a pretty standard thickness. They should lie down nicely for a diorama. I like that there are only two attachment points, making it simpler to clean up the edges of the brass for installation. My approach has been to drill shallow holes, using a drill press so that I get the same depth and then lay the pad eye in so it is flush with the deck on the diorama.