all 2014

Review Author
Mark Aldrich
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$26.95

What do you get when you give a Revell designer free reign on coming up with a design for a Pro Gasser style car? Nothing….absolutely nothing. At least not anything that has ever driven down the ¼ mile strip at any race track on this green Earth. Does that make it a bad thing? Not at all. What you get is a supposedly 1953 Studebaker body done in fiberglass that can pull wheelies at any light! Not a bad promo idea. Let’s paint it in a two tone metallic green and blue and call it “Miss Deal” and add a five Ace card hand on the rear fenders to cement the name home! Way to go!

This is what appears to have been done by Revell back in the 70s. While the idea may have come from the real vehicle “Suicide King”, no one is really sure. The box art is most impressive and who doesn’t love seeing a car pulling a wheelie coming off the line at a race?

Review Author
William Carrell
Published on
Company
Kitty Hawk
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$69.99

The Gripen entered Swedish AF service in 1997 and has since equipped the air arms of the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa, and Thailand. Brazil officially ordered in Dec 2013 and Sweden is to vote on their order in 2014. Rumors are also swirling that the US could be interested in the 2-seater as a replacement for the T-38.

Kitty Hawk released this 1/48 new-tooled Gripen and upon opening the box it appears to be a reasonably nice kit. It is molded in light grey styrene and is presented on multiple parts trees. There is also a tree of clear and a small fret of PE. The kit features and options include:

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$53.79

Designed to replace dated World War I 18-pounders and 4.5-inch howitzers, the 25-pounder became an icon of Commonwealth artillery forces during World War II, serving as the primary field gun and howitzer. Versatility of ordnance types, mobility, and lethality, accompanied by a high rate of fire, made the 25-pdr an indispensible element of Allied field operations, and enabled the design to serve with Commonwealth and other armies into the latter half of the 20th Century.

Accompanying the 25-pdr, in most cases, was the Type 27 ammunition limber, which carried 32 rounds of ammunition in 16 trays. The limber would be towed between the prime mover and the 25-pdr.

Review Author
Dave Koukol
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
MSRP
$64.00

Background

Based on requirements laid down in 1934, and first seeing production in 1937, the Panzer III was fielded as the primary battle tank of the Wehrmacht at the outset of World War II. Upon engaging the Red Army’s T-34’s and KV-1’s it was evident the Panzer III was at a significant disadvantage. The E-, F-, and G- models were retrofitted with a larger 50mm main gun, which became standard on the –H model along with additional armor bolted to the rear, glacis and front superstructure of the hull. The Ausf. H also received an improved transmission and redesigned sprockets and idlers. Of an initial order of 759 Ausf.H’s, only 308 were produced until April 1941.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.00

Master Models is one of those companies who have stepped up to deliver what we really need; durable, accurate metal pitot tubes and probes for our fast-mover jets. THANK-YOU VERY MUCH for filling the void!

The only thing I will say is to be careful with them, as they can turn your house into a doctors’ office for injections in little time!

These 3 little (and I mean tiny, miniscule, actually “Scale”) bits are perfect to add to your model. First, they are made of brass, which makes them durable but not “unbendable” like stainless steel or actual needles; they have a bit of “give” when “tweeked”, but return to shape. That means you won’t have the same issues as resin pitot tubes where the cat breathes on the parts and they go flying off into the netherworld!

Second: Where else are you going to find such great metal machine work at a reasonable price? Only with Master Models!