Well-received by many a soccer mom (and dads looking for a “man van”), the Ford Expedition has also gained significant acceptance and popularity among some American law-enforcement agencies looking for a reliable and rugged vehicle with increased towing, passenger, and cargo capacity.

Revell’s Ford Expedition Police SSV (Special Service Vehicle) provides a fantastic opportunity for young modelers to build an imposing replica of this popular vehicle. Molded in black, clear, and chrome-plated plastic, accompanied by vinyl tires and steel axles, its 46 pieces are well-detailed with crisp raised and recessed features. A sheet of stickers provide marking options for 2 vehicles.

Quickboost now offers a 1/48 scale early-style conversion seat to replace the two-part injection molded seat parts found in the Zvezda Bf-109F-2 kit. The seat provided on the sprues in Zvezda’s kit builds into a replica of what was fitted into the late-model Bf-109F-2 and, to add to the matter, it has a conspicuous ejection pin depression in the center of the pan that must be filled and smoothed out. The Quickboost resin seat represents the earlier style seat that includes an integrated seat back. Quickboost’s seat also offers superior detail than what’s provided in the kit, a thinner profile, a separate armor back plate...and there is no ejection pin cavity that needs filling. Note that the model builder must add seat belts to either seat.

The Product

Described as a highly flexible, softened, transparent gray film suitable for uneven surfaces and producing templates for applying paint by a brush or airbrush with reduced surface tack.

The Working Test

I decided that a current review project was to be the test subject, a 1/72 scale Cobra helicopter. I believe the film should be cut by scoring the film and removing it from its backing. I found cutting the film and backing material together a little fussy, even while using a new #11 X-Acto blade. The film is very pliable and stretches easily. The adhesive tack strength is a couple clicks below Tamiya tape.

Thanks to Revell for providing the kit to IPMS and continuing to build and reissue good Corvette models.

The kit is another reissue of the Revell kit that was first released in 1995 and has been reissued many times since. The plastic sprues contain parts indicating copyrights in 1995 and 4/17/13. The kit shares parts such as the chassis and interior with Coupe versions of the ’67 Corvettes. Either a stock or race version of the Corvette can be built with the kit.

The feature article in October's issue covers modeling MBT's. The article starts off with the Tamiya 1/35th JGSDF Type 10. There are actually two more sections in this article that cover the Type 10. One is a build that was featured on Tamiya Live, and then a walk around. The other models used in the feature are the Xact 1/35th T-80U, Cyber-Hobby M48A3, Meng 1/35th AMX-30B, Tamiya M1A2 SEP TUSK II, Tamiya JGSDF Type 90, and Perfect Scale Modellbau 1/35th Leopard 1 Fruhe Baulose.

Following the feature are several short monthly run articles. One appears to feature a kit of 1/700th Russian Cruiser (had difficulty trying to get a translation). Next is modeling the JASDF. They finish up modeling the Hasegawa 1/72nd Mitsubishi F-1. The last of the monthly series is IJA/N Airplane Illustrated. This is an article that covers aiming devices through the use of color drawings or photographs.

The usual “Thanks very much” goes out to our friends and suppliers at Aires for providing us a brace of detailed, upgraded Mark 46 torpedoes – excellent parts as usual!

These torpedoes only took about 10 minutes to assemble; careful removal of the parts is called for, as the aft fairing and torpedo fins and propellers are extremely fragile, but they look great once assembled.

There was no filler required on this set; the keyed front body fits tightly into a socket on the aft section with the fins, making them a perfect fit. NO PE FINS OR PROPS! I was so pumped over this…

Quickboost has released a complete set of replacement control surfaces for modelers who wish to finish their Tamiya’s 1/72 Focke Wulf Fw-190A-3 with the rudder deflected and stabilizers dropped. These parts were available previously in two Quickboost sets (QB 72 309 – Stabilizers & QB 72 311 – Rudders). But, now Quickboost offers everything in one set.

The parts are cast in the typical Quickboost medium gray resin that is both flexible and resilient. Detail is crisp, with recessed panel lines that are curiously close to those found on the kit parts. It looks like Quickboost started with the Tamiya kit parts, cut them apart, and added a groove in the stabilizers so the elevators will fit properly in whatever position the modeler desires. It also appears that Quickboost added a V–shaped edge to a rudder that was separated from a Tamiya kit so it will fit perfectly against the fin after the rudder is cut away from the kit part.

• Four-brush set – stock # BRF-4P, $26.99
• Five-brush set – stock # BRUF-5P, $32.99

Flex-I-File is a company that produces many tools for modelers. They are known for their saws, sanding products, and the touch and flow applicator. These brushes are new product that they have released.

These brushes are handmade in Germany. Some real nice features of the brushes are the long, well balanced handle for the comfort of handling, and the triangular handles that prevent them from rolling off your workbench.

For my review, I was provided with the four- and five-brush sets, but the brushes can also be purchased individually from the Flex-I-File website.

So, how do you review a paintbrush? Well, you paint with it! Included in my review photos is a photo of a piece of plastic card that I used each brush on to show off the capabilities of that particular brush.

• Parachute # 1 – Stock # 32511, $9.99
• Parachute # 2 – Stock # 32512, $9.99
• Parachute # 3 – Stock # 32513, $9.99

MMD-Squadron continues to release unique parachutes in their True Details 1/32 scale resin aftermarket parts line. The latest are three WWII Luftwaffe aircrew parachutes, sculpted to represent how aircrew chutes would appear in pre- or post-mission repose with integral pack, cushion, harness, and hardware seen in something of a heap. These parachutes would be a perfect diorama accent for any WWII Luftwaffe aircraft model, posed in the way parachutes were typically placed strategically on the wings or stabilizers of aircraft prior to a mission so pilots could quickly suit-up for a takeoff…or the way they would appear casually left on the wing. They are molded in gray resin on a very thin amount of molding scrap. These parachutes are well sculpted with an amazing amount of detail that makes for a very realistic replica.

The limitations inherent in the injection molding process for model kits always tends to create some scale details that are soft and less than realistic. The gun barrels in the Airfix 1/72 Bf-109E kit have some issues in that the cowl guns are molded as part of the cowling surface, and the wing guns have sprue attachments points that will make removal and cleanup difficult. Quickboost provides an alternative with its resin gun barrels. The barrels are molded with the attachment at the base of the unit, which provide clean sides and only a bit of cleanup when removed from the pour stub. Installing the wing guns would be simple, as they will be a drop-in replacement, but the cowling guns would have to be filed off and holes drilled for those barrels to be attached. This would be an easy project for experienced modelers, and might be a good first resin project for beginner modelers. Highly Recommended!

While Meng does not have many kits on the market, they have quickly gained the respect of many modelers for the exquisite detail of their kits. They continue their trend of releasing very interesting, modern subjects. The High Mobility Vehicle, manufactured by the GAZ group of Russia, is a multi-purpose, diesel-powered patrol vehicle. It first premiered in 2001 and pilot production started in 2004. It serves in the Russian Army and paramilitary police units and has some customers around the world. The Tiger kit has seven sprues molded in green plastic, one decal sheet, clear parts, five tires, and the hull and chassis of the vehicle. Some customers have reported some problems with the rear door frame of the body being smashed in shipping. No problems here. The quality of the molding is outstanding with very little in the way of flash.

The ejection seat provided in the Trumpeter 1/32nd A-4 kit is very nice, combining both injection plastic and photo etched parts, ten in all. It is certainly passable. It does not compare, however, to the Quickboost seat, which consists of six cast resin parts. The casting is some of the best I have ever seen. The belts are very detailed and the finished seat should paint up nicely. While attaching the separate oxygen hoses, one of them decided to break off and go airborne. The last I saw of it was passing over my left shoulder.

The seat fits perfectly in the Trumpeter cockpit. I did not have a Hasegawa kit to compare it with, so I don’t know how it would stand against that kit seat. I can’t wait to get it painted and installed in the Trumpeter cockpit.

My thanks to Aires for providing this excellent product, and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it.

The usual “Thanks very much” goes out to our friends and suppliers at Quickboost for an excellent detail item, in this case an upgraded, simple radio rack drop-in for the Meng kit item.

Almost the same as the Aires radio rack, the difference is in the mounting. Check out the photos – on the side-by-side, the right is the Quickboost item, the left is the Meng item, and the manufacturer picture shows the Quickboost item. The QB item facilitates use with the already stellar Meng basic cockpit interior; this alone makes the upgrade worth the cash!

Again, a 10 for detail and appearance. Thanks again to Quickboost and IPMS USA for providing these items for review.