Review Author
Bart Cusumano
Published on
January 16, 2014
Company
MiniArt
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$56.00

MiniArt continues to dazzle and amaze us with another in their series of building and ruin kits. This time, in 1:72 scale, we have “Building w/Garage”, kit #72031. This a typical mid-century European automotive service garage building with the residence located up on the top floor. The kit represents a complete, undamaged building and not a ruin. It is also all injection molded styrene with none of the vacuum-formed parts found in some of their 1:35 scale releases in the same genre.

The Box

The 13.5’” by 10.5” by 2.25” box is the preferred top and bottom (lid) type. There is a nice artist’s rendition of the building on the box top which can serve as a helpful painting guide, although colors can ultimately be left to the imagination of the individual modeler. However, considering the weight and quantity of the box contents, I felt that the box was a bit flimsy (mine is coming apart already!).

Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
January 16, 2014
Company
Plusmodel
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$39.40

Background

U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet

Cushman Airborne Scooter - In the late stages of the war in Europe, Allied paratroopers used scooters like this one to maintain contact between units, increase their mobility and haul small loads. The Cushman Motor Works designed the Model 53 Airborne Scooter to be airdropped by parachute or carried by glider, and it had a hitch to pull a model M3A4 general-purpose utility cart. By adding certain equipment, the cart could be converted to carry a .30-cal. or .50-cal. machine gun or an 81mm mortar, though the scooter often could not pull a heavy load. Cushman made nearly 5,000 airborne scooters for the military beginning in 1944. The rugged, simple Model 53 could travel through a foot of water, climb a 25 percent grade and had a range of about 100 miles.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
January 16, 2014
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$14.95

One of the latest releases from Eduard in their still relatively new Brassin line are a pair of wheels meant to replace the kit provided ones in the Tamiya 1/32 scale F4U-1 Corsair. Consisting of six resin parts and a set of masks to aid in airbrushing the wheels and tires, the set can be used to dress up the appearance of the Tamiya kit, especially for modelers that do not like using rubber tires on their kits.

Review Author
Keith Gervasi
Published on
June 18, 2021
Company
ICM
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$51.99

History

The main part of the German Wehrmacht autopark during WWII formed 3t cargo trucks. One of the most numerous was the model G917T, which was produced since 1939 in German Ford plants in Cologne. This truck was equipped with a V8 engine and had rear drive only. G917T trucks were widely used in all German arms of service in all theatres up to the end of the war. Roughly 25,000 were produced in German plants from 1939 to 1941.

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.50

Quickboost has added the correct nose for the F-102A to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in a gray resin, it’s smooth, seamless and bubble free. One thing of note is that the package says that it is for the Delta Dart, but it should read for the Delta Dagger.

Comparing the Quickboost parts to the Meng parts is a little hard to see. Once I took a photo I could really see the difference. The kit part looks narrower to the Quickboost part and closer to photos that I looked at. Replacing the nose is actually an easy process because Meng molded their nose as a separate piece. Just remove the Quickboost nose from the mold block and use CA glue to put it into place.

I very highly recommend this product if you want a nice and detailed F-102A. I would like to thank Quickboost and IPMS USA for the chance to do this review.

Review Author
Rob Benson
Published on
April 5, 2021
Company
Tom's Modelworks
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$21.00

Many, many thanks to Mr. Richard Harden of Tom’s Modelworks for providing this beautiful ship model enhancement set for review. I am also deeply appreciative of the IPMS Reviewer staff who tirelessly support a very large group of reviewers. I am delighted to report on my experience with this neat product.

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$6.50

Quickboost has added the bomb bay pistons for the F-102A to their line of resin aircraft accessories. This latest addition is molded in a gray resin, it’s smooth, seamless and bubble free. The package label says that it is for a bomb bay but it is actually called a missile bay because the F-102 was an interceptor not a bomber.

Comparing the Quickboost parts to the Meng parts you will see that the Meng pistons are molded to the missile bay doors and that the Quickboost pistons have a more 3D look to them because they are separate parts. To use the Quickboost parts you will have to shave off the molded on pistons and replace them with the new Quickboost parts. Removal of the Quickboost parts is very easy because they have a little bit of a perforation and can be removed from the mold block with a hobby knife.

I very highly recommend this product if you want a nice and detailed F-102A. I would like to thank Quickboost and IPMS USA for the chance to do this review.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
January 16, 2014
Company
Hobby Boss
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$26.99

Background

Code-named “Akula” by NATO and Project 971 Щука-Б (Shchuka-B, 'Shchuka' meaning pike) by the Russian Navy, this nuclear-powered attack submarine was first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986. In all, 15 Akula class attack boats have been built, spanning 4 distinct subclasses, with the original 7 commissioned between 1984 and 1990, six upgraded boats between 1991 and 2009, and one-each offshoots in 1995 and 2001 respectively.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
January 16, 2014
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$19.00

Model Art is known for high quality magazines, with excellent photographs that guide the modeler through some impressive builds. This publication continues that tradition.

This publication focuses on one of Japan’s best known aircraft from World War II, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. It is important to note that the publication is presented in Japanese. English-speakers will have no trouble relying upon the excellent maps and images in order to enjoy the book.

And, enjoy you will! The book begins with an outstanding illustration of a Zero, banking into a turn, by artist Y. Sakaida. He successfully captures the beauty and power of the Zero in this effort, and this illustration sets the tone for the publication.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
January 16, 2014
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$33.00

This set covers what is not included in the bomb bay set: the racks themselves, latches and placards in color etch, bomb carry racks, tail section cover plates for the bombs, fuse propellers (front and back), and some cats and dogs for the lift mechanisms.

This was one of the more difficult sets to review, in that you must remove plastic side rails on the racks without destroying the racks themselves, and then fit the cover sheet metal plates over the bomb release shackles, (which also require modification before the PE will work). It took a while, but I got there, just no magnifiers when viewing, please.

I will be installing the bombs toward the end of the build, but it’s pretty self-evident these parts will make a difference in the appearance of the bombs themselves.

As noted in the other reviews, more high marks for Eduard for this series of PE upgrades; 10 of 10. Thanks again for the review items!