Exhaust manifolds on small-scale aircraft rarely look very realistic. The moldings are representative of the exhaust, but are usually finished with solid ends where they should be tubular, like the ones on the full size aircraft. While some styles can be drilled out, the process is time-consuming and tedious to perform. If the exhaust is anything other than round, this process does not work, especially if the exhaust opening is a flattened oval shape or square shape. The Airfix Bf-109E has the latter style, a square shaped exhaust opening for each of the 12 engine cylinders. Quickboost has been well known for some time for producing high quality molded resin replacement parts for models, solving many of the issues with inaccurate or limited details. The kit exhausts are molded separately, which makes painting easier, but they are also solid with no openings. The Quickboost Bf-109E exhausts are an easy replacement, and are molded in scale thickness with the proper open ends.

Quickboost is known for producing drop-in replacement parts for many model kits. The seat in the Airfix 1/72 Bf-109E is very basic, with a hint of the harness molded on the surface. While it is acceptable for a fun and simple build, it does leave something to be desired in the level of detail. The Quickboost replacement seat is well-molded and incredibly detailed. The seat is slightly thinner than the kit part (perhaps more to scale), the seatback has a raised cushioned area, and the harnesses are intricate (including the buckles and hardware) and are draped realistically in the seat. Once the pour stub is removed, the seat fits neatly into the attachment on the cockpit floor. For an easy upgrade to the kit, and almost a must for the super-detailers, the Quickboost Bf-109E Seat would be considered highly recommended.

Thank you to Aires and Quickboost for supplying this review sample, and IPMS USA for supplying the review opportunity.

Right on the heels of Academy’s release of their long-awaited 1/48th scale F-4B, Super Scale comes out with a great sheet depicting the ever-popular Jolly Rogers markings. Sadly, there is only one set of markings on the sheet and there are no stencils. The aircraft depicted is BuNo 151506, which was the CAG’s aircraft while on the USS Independence in 1965. Though having nothing to do with the decal sheet, this aircraft was later lost on January 10, 1968, due to an aircraft accident while assigned to the USS Ranger.

The decals are typical Super Scale Decals that we have been using for so many years. They are extremely thin, have nearly no excess decal film, and they appear to be in perfect register. These decals are printed by Cartograf of Italy, so we know they are of high quality.

My thanks to Squadron and IPMS/USA for the review samples.

The usual “Thanks very much” goes out to our friends and suppliers at Quickboost for more superdetailed bits…in this case, the “big gun” for Meng’s Me-410 and barrels for the side turrets.

In this case, a simple side-by-side review of the gun barrels is in order. Notice that the Quickboost cannon is larger than the kit item, and the gun barrels are better defined. Paint and install…simple and detailed, far better than the kit item.

Again, a10 for detail and appearance; the muzzle brake alone makes this a “10” item! Thanks again to Quickboost and IPMS USA for providing these items.

This is a massive tome that covers Soviet Naval Aviation from immediately post-WWII through the breakup of the USSR. The book is profusely illustrated with hundreds of color and black and white photos, many of which may be new to Western readers. In addition, there are dozens of color profiles throughout the pages.

The book begins with a discussion of Soviet naval aviation in the years following WWII. At first, they were still using leftover indigenous designs as well as US lend/lease aircraft that survived combat. Realizing the need for a long-range navy, they began to modernize and prepare for the struggle with the US and other Western powers. This chapter discusses the organization of naval aviation forces and their work with other elements of the Soviet navy and other armed forces.