Review Author
Jack Kennedy
Published on
November 10, 2012
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$5.50

Now that I have finished my Cyber Hobby Sea Vixen, Quickboost comes out with a beautiful set of landing lights. In 1/72 scale, they are really tiny and care must be taken to remove them from the sprue or they will wind up eaten by the carpet monster.

On close inspection, they are not just blobs of clear plastic but beautifully formed in the correct teardrop shape. I would give them a quick coat of Future to protect them from glue.

I would highly recommend them to any modeler. I wish to thank Quickboost and Steve Collins at IPMS/USA for giving me this set to review.

Review Author
Jack Kennedy
Published on
November 10, 2012
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$5.50

I have the Airfix 1/48 Sea Vixen FAW.2 and thought the kit parts were just perfect. Then, along came Quickboost with an aftermarket set of pitot tubes. I always thought they were all round, but Quickboost did their homework and made them the proper oval shape. This was news to me, but I am going to take their word that oval is correct and use them.

I was really impressed with the fact that these resin pitot tubes are straight. Most times on a part that long and thin they are warped. Thank you, Quickboost, for straight ones.

I would recommend these as a replacement for the kit parts. You can tell everyone that they are accurate; since they are oval and not round, I’m sure your modeling friends will be impressed with your knowledge.

I wish to thank Quickboost and Steve Collins at IPMS/USA for giving me this set to review.

Review Author
Jack Kennedy
Published on
November 10, 2012
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$5.50

I have just gotten the Airfix 1/48 Sea Vixen FAW.9 and thought it was a great-looking kit. I thought everything was perfect and didn’t even take a close look at the air intakes. Well, along came Quickboost with a very nicely cast set of resin intakes to replace the kit ones. These are so beautiful I’m not even going to take a second look at the kit ones.

Since no instructions are provided, I would test-fit them to get them on the right sides. Other than that, you are all set.

I would highly recommend this detail set to set your Sea Vixen off from the rest. I wish to thank Quickboost and Steve Collins at IPMS/USA for giving me this set to review.

Book Author(s)
Martyn Chorlton
Review Author
Perry Downen
Published on
November 10, 2012
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$18.95

Most books covering the P-51 Mustang begin with the design and development phase. It’s not uncommon for the books to mention briefly that Mustangs were sent to England early in the war and the deficiencies they had. The authors explain that soon after, the Rolls Royce Merlin replaced the original Allison engine. Generally, from this point forward, the authors describe what a great fighter the P-51 was – and rightfully so, but the original Allison-powered aircraft is all but ignored.

Author Martyn Chorlton doesn’t take that path in his new book, Allison-Engined P-51 Mustang. He describes what a great airplane this was in operations other than those of the high-altitude fighter – e.g., dive-bombing, low-level reconnaissance, and ground-attack.

Review Author
Matthew Cottrell
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$4.50

Contents

Representing the earliest production F-14As, before the addition of a nose-mounted Angle of Attack probe, Master Model provides you with a metal nose tip and fuselage Angle of Attack (AOA) probe. As with other Master Model products, I find myself astonished with both the quality and unbelievably small size of their detail parts. The AOA probe in particular starts out smaller than a #80 drill bit and tapers to sharp point. The nose probe is equally as beautifully crafted.

Review Author
Jack Kennedy
Published on
November 10, 2012
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.98

A short time ago, I got the Scale Aircraft Conversions landing gear for the T-33/ F/94 in 1/48 scale and was amazed by the fine detail.

Now, I am going to build my second T-33A by Platz in 1/72 and this time I have been given the SAC set. Wow, what a difference.

I thought the 1/48 set was great but this one is better. It includes all the parts in super detail. It even includes the landing lights. I really don’t know how they can get such fine detail in a metal casting, but I’ll take it.

Looking closely, I noticed that the tires need a slight cleanup on the tread part to get rid of a small seam line. This effort should take less than a minute.

I would highly recommend this and all of the SAC landing gears. They add that extra pop to any model.

I wish to thank Russ with Scale Aircraft Conversions and Steve Collins at IPMS/USA for giving me this set to review. Can’t wait to do more.

Review Author
Fred Wilms
Published on
November 11, 2012
Company
Master Box Ltd
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$43.99

History

The German Radio Car type 170VK was created on the basis of the serial car 170V of Daimler-Benz Co. The car had in its construction many technological solutions that were advanced for that time frame, such as an X-shaped frame welded from oval-shaped tubes, independent suspension on all wheels, and an engine with overhead valves. The vehicle was very reliable and very popular in all branches of the German army. The car was made in three variations: (1) scout car, (2) radio car, and (3) traveling repair shop. There were 19,075 vehicles built from 1933 to 1942.

Items in the Box

The model is made from injection molded plastic, gray in color. The plans were made up of a fold-out series of sheets, printed on both sides. The build sheet shows various versions of assembly. This build selected was with the radio installed and with the top down. Decal sheets, clear plastic glass, and soft tires were also included.

Book Author(s)
David Doyle
Review Author
Don Norton
Published on
November 11, 2012
Company
Squadron Signal Publications
MSRP
$18.95

The Tank Destroyers were a short-lived branch of the U.S. Army in World War II, based around a theory that tank destroyers would be dedicated to fighting enemy tanks, freeing our tanks for infantry support. Furthermore, half the Tank Destroyer force would consist of towed anti tank guns. Gradually, the towed guns were replaced by self propelled vehicles, such as the M10, M36, and finally, the M18. All of these vehicles handled themselves quite well against German armor, as well as serving as support vehicles for infantry, but their weak link was the open turret which exposed the crew to small arms fire, shell bursts, and grenades. In the end, the tank destroyer program was cancelled, with standard U.S. tanks assuming the tank vs. tank role. M18s soldiered on in other armies, some seeing action as late as the 1990’s in Serbia.

Book Author(s)
Compiled by Neil Robinson and Illustrated by Peter Scott
Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
November 11, 2012
Company
AIRfile Publications
MSRP
$28.50

History

Operation Torch (initially called Operation Gymnast) was the British-American invasion of French North Africa, specifically Morocco and Algeria, in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942. Operation Torch was the first Allied amphibious operation of the war

The Allies planned an Anglo-American invasion of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, territory controlled by the Vichy French government. With those nations under Allied control, the Allies could carry out a pincer operation against Axis forces in North Africa. The Vichy French had around 125,000 soldiers in the territories as well as coastal artillery, 210 operational but out-of-date tanks, and about 500 aircraft, half of which were Dewoitine D.520 fighters. In addition there was a strong force of German and Italian military forces available.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
November 11, 2012
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.50

When this item came up for review, I did a little research and found early P-61's didn't have a connection for the external fuel tanks (but they were soon added). Those thirsty engines needed more fuel for ferrying and long range runs, sond to accommodate that, they came up with a fuel tank with an aerodynamic fairing behind it that fit where the turret would ultimately end up. Great Wall's first release of the Black Widow is a perfect selection for Quickboost’s latest release, an external fuel tank. The set consists of two parts, a tank insert and the fairing behind it. Installation is simplicity itself. The main tank fits right into the hole which is blanked off normally. The aerodynamic fairing needs its flash sanded off and to be glued in place and, if you want, a fuel line could be added.

This is a great add-on for early P-61's. It is easy, simple, and adds interest to the kit. Recommended. My thanks to Quickboost and IPMS/USA for the review sample.