Review Author
Keenan Chittester
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Trumpeter
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$43.99

The MiG-21F-13 was one of the early variants of the MiG-21 series, and as far as I know this is the first injection-molded kit of the aircraft in 1/48 scale. The kit comes in an appropriately sized box with some nice artwork on the cover. Inside the box, there are 9 sprues of cleanly molded medium grey parts, four of which are dedicated to underwing and under fuselage stores. Most of the major parts have their sprue attachment points molded on the mating surface, rather than on the edge of the part, which means that you don’t have those ugly sprue attachment areas to deal with when cleaning up the seams. I thought that was a nice touch and I hope that other manufacturers will start molding their kits in the same way. The panel lines are recessed and nicely done, and the rivet detail is present but restrained. The surface seems to have a very slight roughness to it, but it disappears under a coat of primer.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
January 14, 2014
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.50

Quickboost has added a well-detailed Hawker Hunter Martin Baker Mk.2H ejection seat to their growing line of detail parts. It is a replacement for the one found in the Academy (and Italeri) 1/48 scale kits and will greatly enhance the cockpit of a model built from either of those kits. It is reported that RAF Hunters were manufactured with either Mk.2H or Mk.3H seats (and some Hunters manufactured with Mk.3H seats were retrofitted with Mk.2H seats), so Quickboost has chosen to offer the MB Mk.2H. The Quickboost seat captures the look of the prototype very nicely with crisp and enhanced details and molded-in safety belts that will greatly improve the cockpit of any Hunter.

Review Author
Ben Guenther
Published on
January 14, 2014
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$49.99

Hasegawa has produced the first production model of the Osprey VTOL transport in 1/72 scale, the MV-22B. In 1988, Italeri came out with a kit (# 175) of the preproduction version, which was designated at that time the V-22A (later to be changed to MV-22A). It would be very difficult to modify the MV-22A into the "B" model. Thankfully, modelers do not have that problem now due to Hasegawa's latest release. This article will not go into the long history of VTOL aircraft or into the difficult development of the Osprey that can be found in other sources. (such as The Dream Machine: the untold history of the notorious V-22 Osprey by Richard Whittle, 2010).

Book Author(s)
Marek J. Murawski and Jakub Plewka
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
January 14, 2014
Company
Kagero Publishing
MSRP
$29.95

Bf-109E is the most recent addition in Kagero’s Monographs Special series. The Casemate information sheet that accompanied the book states that, “This new book gives not only a thorough insight in the development, variants, technical features and camouflage of the “Emil”, but also an excellent overview of the aircraft’s service with the Luftwaffe.” True words!

Modelers vary in their focus for information regarding a subject being modeled, and this publication addresses most, if not all, of those areas of interest.

The text begins with comprehensive coverage of the Bf-109E variants. Detailed black and white images show the characteristics and design differences which separate one “Emil” variant from the next. In these 34 pages, the modeler will find much useful and detailed information that will significantly impact the authenticity of the “E” variant being modeled.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
January 14, 2014
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$30.00

Next step in our long review of Eduard PE parts for the HK B-17 kit. Ongoing thanks to Eduard for providing us these sets… !

Having opened one other B-17 many years ago in 1/48th, using the Paragon resin flap and bomb bay sets, I vowed not to do that ever again, not due to the fault of the parts, but because it made it extremely difficult to move the model around. Here I am again, with an even LARGER model… But it’s worth it in the end!

This upgrade seriously improves the appearance of the kit parts by having you replace the sidewalls with PE sheet, and styrene truss bracing. Added afterwards are Gussets with excellent rivet detail. What that does is brings the detail level over the top… it just looks a lot better in this scale. The catwalk has improved rails and sides as well. Additional placards and bulkhead details are added, and in the end (it does take a while) everything comes together.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
January 14, 2014
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$30.00

… MORE on of our long review of Eduard PE parts for the HK B-17 kit… thanks to Eduard for providing us these sets…!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The waist section on this set contains several similar panels and gauges for the crew oxygen and intercom system. Ammunition feed chutes are provided for both waist weapons, as are crosshair gunsights, and an unusual modification in the form of spent ammo casing bags for the waist guns. These, by the way, are supposed to be installed with the CURVED section toward the fuselage sides… I must have been distracted.

The Auxiliary power unit is detailed up with placards, and various bits and pieces. You will have to work to see this on the completed model, unless you open the crew access door on the right side of the aircraft.

Book Author(s)
Andrew Thomas
Review Author
Paul Mahoney
Published on
January 14, 2014
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$22.95

One of Osprey’s latest in the “Aircraft of the Aces” series is number 113, covering Allied pilots that shot down 5 or more V1 Flying Bombs.

This book opens with the words of the first pilot to shoot down a V1 (Flt Lt John Musgrove, in a night-fighter Mosquito) on June 16, 1944. Within minutes, 3 more V1s would be shot down that evening by other members of the same Mosquito squadron. After this exciting opening page, the reader is then guided chronologically through the story of the V1 campaign, starting with the development of the “Buzz Bomb” itself and culminating with the last V1 shot down on 28 March 1945.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
January 15, 2014
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$17.69

Thanks very much to Lifelike decals for providing IPMS USA these review sets. We appreciate your support and look forward to your future efforts!

I had heard of Lifelike decals, but normally don’t work in 1/72nd scale. However, when these showed up, I had to throw my name in the hat… and am very pleased I did.

The first set, 72-029, covers four B-24’s with four different groups in the pacific region. All have very colorful tail markings, and the nose art is particularly striking. The fact I have not seen these before made them a better value.

Markings are included for the following:

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
January 15, 2014
Company
Pegasus Hobbies
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$39.95

The Terminator series of movies is iconic especially considering that 2014 is the 30th anniversary of the first movie. There haven't been many mainstream kits of the movies. Pegasus has started their releases with the Aerial Hunter killer tank from the 2nd Terminator movie. At the beginning of the movie, the rebels are being chased by Terminators, tanks and Aerial Hunter killers. Previously, this was only released in vinyl as far as I know.

Let me say up front that the challenge to this kit will be the painting. Looking at shots of the movie on the Internet, the Aerial Hunter Killer is colored somewhere between chrome and polished aluminum. For those with the funds, one of the original props is up for auctions (starting at a mere $47,000) but it gives a great view of the actual prop and can be found here and shows the colors well.

Review Author
Jim Pearsall
Published on
January 16, 2014
Company
Roden
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$24.99

The Aircraft

The Lockheed JetStar was originally developed in the late 1950s by Lockheed as a prototype for a US Air Force light transport. The project was not bought by the Air Force, but the prototype was used by Kelly Johnson of the “Skunk Works” as his personal transport. It was the first dedicated “biz’jet” to enter service.

Later the project was resumed, and the Air Force bought 5 C-140As for Air Force Communications Service to test airport navigational aids. Another 5 were bought as VIP transports, as the JetStar could carry 10 passengers and 2 crew, more than any other jet powered business aircraft of the period. The JetStar was also noted for having four engines in pods in the rear, much like the DC-9 or VC-10 airliners.