Thank you to Alain of Dragon Models USA and John of IPMS for allowing me to review this kit. It really is an honor to critique a new model and share the fun with the greater modeling community.

Bronco Models chose to represent the K335 Giepard, one of the three Akula II submarines constructed by the Amur Shipbuilding Plant Joint Stock Company at Komsomolsk-on-Amur and by Sevmash at the Severodvinsk shipbuilding yard. Research sources are somewhat ambiguous, but generally agree that the Akula II class is a lengthened and improved Akula class, incorporating quieting technology. The K335 name appears as “Gepard” in some references and “Giepard” in others. One member of the class, the Nerpa, is reportedly leased to the Indian Navy. The first member of the class, the Viper, is scheduled to be withdrawn from service in 2015, with the Giepard/Gepard scheduled for retirement in 2025.

The decal set consists of one 4.75 x 7.5 inch sheet accompanying by a color glossy 8.5 x 11 inch instruction and placement page in a ziplock plastic bag. I always appreciate the resealable bags, for storing unused decals afterwards and protection from coffee. The decals themselves were printed by Cartograf. Markings for two aircraft are provided, BuNo 162224 of VAQ-135, and BuNo 163527, VAQ-137. Very well-done and unique unit art is included for each aircraft, as well as numerous decals for some ECM pods and drop tanks. The formation light panels appear to be a reasonably accurate color. Unfortunately, there are only formation lights for one aircraft. Consider this if you actually are going to build both aircraft off this sheet. General and detail side views of both are included, and there are two general top and detail views. FS colors are provided for the color schemes, and the decal inks appear to match the FS color chips fairly well.

Introduction

1947 was a much simpler time but there were complex problems to be solved. 'Let's put a rocket motor in a small fuselage shaped like a 50 caliber bullet and see if we can maintain controlled flight, faster than the speed of sound'. Sounds simple enough.

Looking back now, the X-1 was simple in shape, power and design and we are still learning from those tests.

Revell has re-released the X-1 as a model kit that captures that simplicity with great detail.

My thanks go out to Revell for providing this kit for review and to IPMS USA for letting me do the review.

In the Box

There are 49 parts in this kit molded in gray and 2 clear. At 1/32 scale, the parts are big and easy to handle and assemble for young, small hands or us 'more experienced' folks with sausages for fingers. A few of the bigger parts separated themselves from the sprues in shipping.

Editor's note: This publication is also available in a downloadable version from the publisher.

As a Desert Storm veteran, it was quite a unique thing the first time I actually saw an F-117 in the air. The initial raids against Baghdad brought to light the existence of these stealth fighters and their capabilities. Firsthand accounts of air combat have always been a favorite read of mine. This book was right up my alley.

This soft bound book features 200 pages of accounts from the pilot, ground crew and commander’s perspective during the war. The book features many previously un-published black and white photos. These will be helpful and informative for the modeler. Every photo comes with an extensive caption that provides insight.

When it comes to resin detail parts for aircraft, Quickboost is one of the top manufacturers on the market. One of their newest releases is a set of pitot tubes for the Trumpeter 1/48 Seahawk FGA Mk. 6. The set comes in finely cast resin and includes two pitot tubes and mounts. As with all Quickboost sets, the instructions simply list which parts from the kit to replace with the resin parts

As with every Quickboost set I have worked with, the parts are free of defects and flash, and are easily removed from the pour plugs, with little clean-up. This is a must-have detail set for anyone working with the Seahawk FGA kit. My thanks to Quickboost for providing the review sample