all 2014

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
AMT
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$26.99

History

First introduced in 1979, “Bigfoot” started the monster truck craze that is still going strong today. Created and owned by Bob Chandler as a promotional billboard for his 4X4 truck accessory business, Bigfoot #1 was based on a Ford F-250 4X4. The real innovation came when Chandler built the first 4X4X4, which is a four wheel vehicle with four-wheel-drive and four-wheel-steering. Bigfoot pioneered the art of car crushing, now a common part of any monster truck event. While fans might take pride in the particular brand of their favorite monster truck, the only thing these trucks have in common with the brands they represent are the body shells cast to look like a Ford, Chevy or Dodge/Ram. These are in fact specially designed and built race trucks. Think funny car (a truck in this case) with a blown engine mounted in a sub frame designed with suspension travel that allows for driving over a van and you’ve got it. Twenty one Bigfoots have been built.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$39.00

Academy’s models have a great reputation these days. This 1/72nd scale F-35A is the most recent addition to the stable of excellence.

This kit is a gem from the excellent packaging to the multi-color parts, which actually make it easier to build (as explained below). The decals are great, the plastic superb and crisp, and the appearance of the finished model is stunning. This is a lot of accolades, but they are accurate. In my opinion, this is the definitive new F-35 kit.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
True Details
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$12.99

True Details has created a 1/32 scale resin F-104G Avionics Bay that is designed to be a simple addition to Hasegawa’s kit. Simply clean up the casting block, paint and install. The detail is well defined, and will add just what is needed to this model. I have not checked to see if this set would work on the new Italeri F-104G/S, but in my opinion it probably would, however, you’ll want to check the fit yourself if you have one.

In the end, very nicely done, and a full score for True Details.

Thanks very much to our great supporters at Squadron for providing us yet another simple resin upgrade for our AMS (Advanced Modeler Syndrome). IPMS/USA appreciates the opportunity to review your products!

Review Author
Jim Coatney
Published on
Company
Zoukei-Mura
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$88.00

Part 2: The Build

This is the second part of my review of the Zoukie-Mura 1/32 J2M3 ‘Jack”. See Part 1 for images of the sprues and a general overview of what is included with the kit.

Section 1

The engine… and what an engine it is. There are forty-three parts broken over ten steps. Assembly begins by gluing the cylinder banks together. I was too aggressive in removing the sprue attachment points here so I had to fill some seams along the baffle plates. The cylinders were painted in Alclad aluminum and the crankcase hand-painted in gloss black. A dark wash was applied over the aluminum to make the details pop out. A lot of parts build off of the cylinders, so it is critical that everything aligns. Fortunately the instructions provide excellent detail as to where everything fits.

Book Author(s)
José Fernandez
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
Company
Stratus
MSRP
$21.75

This is the third book in the French Wings series and it continues to provide an interesting and informative look at some of the less famous French aircraft of the pre-WWII and WWII period. All three aircraft in this book were used in the observation and reconnaissance role by the French military. The book gives you information about both the process by which they were acquired and their actual operational use. In addition to the aircraft used by France, their use by China, Peru and Venezuela are also discussed.