The latest release in MiniArt’s 1/16th historical figure series is this Roman Gladiator around the time of the 1st Century AD. There were many different classes and types of gladiator, each with specific weapons and armor, and this figure is a Mirmillo, a type of gladiator who was armed with a short sword called a Gladius and a large Imperial army-style shield called a Scutum. The Mirmillo gets his name from a type of fish – his helmet has a large crest like a fish’s dorsal fin. Supposedly, he was pitted against the Retarius, the “fisherman”, the guy with the net and trident. But it is believed he was more often up against other types of gladiators armed with short swords and heavy armor.

Mushroom Model Publications has released the latest installment of their Yellow Series titled Messerschmitt Bf 109F. Like all the other books in the series, it is printed in glossy paper and lavishly illustrated with period b&w photographs, color profiles, and color pictures of restored aircraft. Also of note is also the fact they have included 3D computer-generated images of different parts of the airplane (nose, control stick, etc.).

In addition to the above, there are 1/48 scale plans of all the main Bf-109F variants, plus a 620mm fold-out (2-feet) color profile of a Bf-109. I wish I could frame it!

The main sections of the book include: early stages, armament, prototype (Bf-109F-0), main variants (F-1 to F-4), production series, modifications (/Trop, reconnaissance, etc.), final variants (the rare F-5 to F-8 marks), research programs, etc.

Quickboost has added a highly detailed Bf-109F early-style seat with safety belts to their continually growing line of 1/32 scale detail parts. It is designed as a drop-in replacement for the seat parts included in the kit. This part adds considerably to the overall detail of the cockpit and solves a problem that the kit parts present. Hasegawa provides the seat in the kit in two parts – left and a right side that are joined in the middle of the seat pan and back, thus creating a vertical seam through the center of the entire seat that must be eliminated. (see the photo below of the two kit parts surrounding the aftermarket seat). The Hasegawa seat also has ejection pin protrusions on the inside walls of both pieces that will need to be dealt with before joining the pieces.

History

Another of Kelly Johnson’s modern marvels in aviation history, the F-104 truly lived up to the many nicknames it was bestowed. The “Missile With a Man In It” is probably the most reflective of this great machine. It was a plane that was produced in greater numbers for foreign use rather than US use. It was, however, a major leap forward in technology that led to multiple advances that allowed the US to be the leader in high-performance aircraft. A quick look at the main gear configuration and wing thickness can lead one to see how the F-16 was influenced.

Lockheed’s derivative of the venerable T-33 as the Navy’s carrier-capable jet trainer, the T2V/T-1A bears a strong family resemblance to the T-Bird, but was a far different animal. A redesigned and strengthened wing with leading edge droops, different flaps, and boundary layer control was a big item, while a strengthened fuselage and gear, plus the raised rear cockpit for better visibility by the back-seater, gave the Seastar its characteristic humpback look. Larger tail surfaces, intakes, tailpipe, and an uprated J33 engine were included. Additional fuselage speedbrakes were added to the fairings aft of the wing, and other improvements were added as well, along with upgraded ejection seats, a hefty arresting hook, and a catapult hook.

• Product/Stock # QB 72 390 Sea Harrier FRS.1 Pylons for Airfix kit, $8.50
• Product/Stock # QB 72 385 Sea Harrier Outrigger Wheels for Airfix kit, $6.50

We continue to express sincere appreciation to our friends at Quickboost for providing us more of the prolific output of their company; I buy a lot of their items and hope others do as well. Without their expertise, we would be the poorer!

Not much I can say for these additions...the new Airfix kits are a boon to the modeling community, addressing the need for simple yet detailed kits for the newcomers and also us old guys. But sometimes the details cry out for more. As usual, Quickboost steps up to the plate!

Yet one more “You really should buy this or have your plastic gear fail in a year” set for a heavy model. Thanks as usual to our friend Ross at SAC for providing IPMS USA this set, and IPMS for sending it to me for review!

History

The RG-31 is a 4x4 mine-protected, all-terrain armored personnel carrier(APC) first manufactured in South Africa. It is able to withstand mine blasts and small arms fire due to the V-shaped, all-steel welded armor monologue hull and high suspension. As a multi-purpose vehicle, the RG-31 assumes a wide range of roles, such as APC, ambulance, and surveillance vehicle, but is mostly used during peacekeeping missions for its non-aggressive appearance. The RG-31 has served in Iraq & Afghanistan.

Kit

Inside the box, there are 5 tan plastic sprues, 1 clear sprue, 1 black rubber sprue, 5 black hard rubber tires, a PE fret, a decal sheet, and a 24-page instruction booklet. Also included in the kit box is a bonus "Check Point" set. The set consist of four figures and barricades (both water & concrete). I did not build this set for this review, but after looking it over, I think this set would build into a very nice diorama featuring the RG-31.

So what would be cooler than having your car talk to you, be bulletproof, and able to drive itself? Well, if you were Michael Knight, not much…and while he drove several different versions of KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), the original from the first season of the show was always my favorite.

I don’t build many car models, but when I do, they usually were involved in some movie or TV show. So when KITT came up for review, my hand also came up. I am not sure if this is a re-release by Aoshima of a previous kit as I remember KITT kits from years ago, but if it is a re-release, it is a good one.

The kit includes 95 plastic parts in black, tan, chrome, aluminum, clear, clear red, clear orange, and tinted black colors. There are also 4 rubber tires, 4 polyethylene caps for the wheels, and the scanning unit with 4 screws to mount it.

Back in 1960, I remember a guy named Mickey Thompson setting the land speed record of 406.6 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats. He did this feat with one of the most original cars ever seen. This was the Challenger 1. It was powered by four supercharged Pontiac engines, each powering a separate wheel. I remember at the time hoping that someone would make a model kit of this car. Well, Revell did back in 1962. They produced the kit from 1962 until 1966. I was busy with getting on with my life at that time, so I forgot about Challenger 1. Last year at the IPMS Nationals in Orlando, I saw that Revell was going to re-issue the kit. I couldn’t wait for it to come out and when it came up for grabs by the Reviewers corps, I jumped at the chance to build it.

The June issue contains two Feature articles. Feature 1 is entitled, “Arthurian Legend” and is nine pages of images coupled with an excellent description of how Chris Fleet built his Airfix Agusta Westland Merlin HC3. Interestingly, Chris shares his use of copper wire to simulate detail within the model. Two pages of full-color images of a real Merlin add to the trove of detailed information that one can use when building this Airfix kit.

Feature 2, by Neil Pinchbeck, covers the Revell Supermarine Stranraer in 1/72nd scale. Neil’s article covers how he dealt with the rigging (oh, those hated double stands!), cutting the canopy open, and adding rivet detail. Neil’s work is outstanding, both on the model itself and then within his article.

If you are interested in building some of the older kits that you may have missed when they were first introduced, you have a friend in Round 2 Models, who is re-releasing kits from the likes of AMT, MPC, and Polar Lights. One of their latest releases is the AMT F-14A Tomcat that includes vintage kit packaging and some nicely produced decals. The kit has parts included to add up to four Phoenix (AIM-54) missiles, two Sparrow (AIM-7) missiles, two Sidewinder (AIM-9) missiles, TARPS (Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System), and has the markings for two different early F-14A aircraft. The built-up kit is a respectable looking early F-14A Tomcat; just keep in mind that, being an older kit, there will be some fit issues to overcome, and there are some items not mentioned in the instructions.

Dragon Models has released an updated version of their original (excellent) Sd.Kfz. 234/4 armored, anti-tank wheeled vehicle produced five years ago (#6221). This update replaces the eight large wheels and spare with newly engineered sandwich-style wheels that are magnificent. Each highly visible wheel is made up of eight thin disks that are assembled to produce accurate and stunning tread, with separate two-part hubs that simplify painting and weathering.

The only other change is that Dragon has replaced the aluminum barrel in the original kit with a slide-molded one in the update. For fit and finish, I prefer the latter, so that’s also a welcome replacement.