The PAC-3 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile system, whose primary purpose is to intercept ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight. This new offering from Aoshima is the first injection molded kit of the Patriot Missile system in 1/72 scale. The kit includes the Transporter Erector Launcher trailer, 4 missile containers, and an Isuzu Type 73 Heavy Truck. There are several options for displaying the model: you can display the TEL with outriggers up or down; the missile canisters can be stowed or ready to fire; the antenna can be in the raised or lowered position; or you can also show it firing a PAC-3 missile. One of the neat features of the kit is that it provides two full sets of outrigger legs and you do not glue the legs on, they are attached by poly caps. This means that if you are careful you should be able to swap out how you display the trailer.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I’m a bit of a fan for speculative or hypothetical armor. In this field, Dragon Models has done me well over the decades, and I’ve had the pleasure of assembling everything from their E-100 and Kugelblitz AA tank to a couple of variants on the Panther F. This latest incarnation sits well with my other renditions and then some.

As is typical of Dragon, the box comes packed with parts; 17 sprues in all plus clear parts for the periscopes, three separate sheets of photoetch, two types of metal cable for the tow ropes, a metal shroud for the mantlet and rubberized tracks. There’s also a tiny decal sheet that seems to have been tossed in more as an afterthought. Predictably for Dragon, you’ll inevitably find yourself with a host of spare parts which should be useful for other projects.

HAD Models has introduced a 1/35 scale Radio which represents the kind found in Russian tanks from 1900 to 1980 but also could be applicable to present times also. The set consists of two cast resin part and three pieces of photoetch. The resin and photoetch are very well done and initial building is simple.

This is the second half of the review of the Big Ed set for the Meng Models D9R Dozer.

This portion will focus on the exterior detail set (36265) which happens to be one of the most extensive sets as well as parts for every side of the vehicle are covered.

I started by assembling all the ammo racks for both sides and rear of the vehicle. They are made up of several different pieces, but the assembly went off without too much trouble. I used a piece of styrene rod for the securing bar on the bottom of the first rack I built, but later decided to use some brass rod instead as I could solder that in place for a more secure bond overall. The instructions say to use 1mm plastic rod…brass looks better.

This is a first look ‘In the Box’ review of PlusModel’s new U.S. Grader resin kit. A subsequent review will review the detailed assembly of the kit. The kit appears to be a very complete, nicely detailed, high quality kit of a unique vehicle from WWII. The U.S. Grader follows PlusModel’s excellent dozer models.

The kit comes in a sturdy 10.5 x 7.5 x 2.5" deep corrugated cardboard box. First out of the box are a photo CD, 6” x 8.25" stapled instruction booklet with 28 pages, a small bag with decals, photoetch fret, and a length of copper wire.

Next are six sealed bags of 231 gray resin parts. The parts have crisp detail and no air bubbles are apparent. The large grader blade appears straight with no visible defects. The radiator is nicely detailed with raised letters for the words Caterpillar along the sides and top front of the radiator. One of the bags his two clear parts for the headlamps.