all 2014

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

Quickboost now offers model builders a set of gun barrels and pitot tube to replace those in Trumpeter’s 1:48 scale MiG-3 (Late) kit. The MiG-3 was armed with three machine guns: one 12.7 mm UBS heavy machine gun and two 7.62 mm mm ShKAS machine guns.

The Quickboost gun barrels are impressive. They have hollow openings, the detail is very crisp and there are no injection molding seam lines for the modeler to eliminate. The pitot tube also is impressive. It is thinner than the kit part and correctly detailed for the under wing installation of the late type MiG-3.

Review Author
David Wrinkle
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$33.96

Without a doubt, the Eduard 109G-6 has to be one of the most controversial kits in the past year or two. Personally, I’ve had a good look at completed examples as well as a good look at the plastic in the box, and I’m pretty happy with the kit.

For this review, I’ll be looking at the Eduard Brassin Bf 109G cockpit made for the Eduard kit. I did not try to fit this set into another manufactures kit, so if you wish to attempt using it with another kit, I wish you all the best. I should note that parts are included for both early and late model B-6s. Obviously, you will want to choose your version before assembling this cockpit and the kit, for that matter. For this review, I chose to build the early version of the cockpit.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$12.00

The later versions of the Focke-Wulf 190 A series, the A-7 and A-8, were some of the most heavily armed aircraft to fly in the Luftwaffe. To that end, Master provides you with some impressive looking armament in their 1/32 scale Fw 190 A7-A9 Armament Set & Pitot Tube package.

Packaged inside a ziplock bag, the set features instructions and a separate bag with each style of armament packed separately. The benefit of turned-metal barrels is that they are perfectly round with no sprue attachment or mold seam line to remove, and they have hollow ends. The barrels are also very robust, easily avoiding bends during handling, and I need all the help I can get with that problem.

The pitot tube is mounted in different positions on the A-7 and the A-8, and Master points this out in the instructions.

Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
Master Box Ltd
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$21.99

This package represents a small unit in Vietnam, including a commander, M60 gunner and two riflemen, all in typical jungle fatigues as seen in the 1960’s. A second sprue provides additional equipment, with suitable weapons and an assortment of headgear, including covered helmets, two types of boonie cap, and Marine visored “covers” for each soldier. All figures feature additional arms and heads to vary the poses. In a very real sense, this kit is designed to offer the modeler anything from a standard infantry patrol (either Army or Marine) to a Special Forces patrol. Therefore, these figures are a lot more versatile than the title suggests, and could be used in scenarios ranging from jungle duty to fighting in the streets of Hue.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$12.00

The Fw 190 A-6 was a transition aircraft that had many of the features of the earlier versions of the Focke-Wulf fighter as well as some new items that became the norm on the later versions. As such, it required a unique set of turned-metal barrels. Why do I need turned metal barrels and pitot tube? I’ll tell you why: no seams or mold marks to clean up, your parts are perfectly round, and the brass is strong enough to resist bending and breaking.

Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
Master Box Ltd
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$10.99

One of the things I find fascinating about Masterbox’s approach to figure modeling is the technique they use to arrive at a given product. For most companies, sculptors make the desired figures, then illustrators create the box art to match the sculpts. Masterbox reverses the process by permitting illustrators to paint scenarios (quite beautifully, I may add) then sculptors do their best to reproduce the illustrations within the limitations of injection molding. What this means is that Masterbox is indisputably the top of the industry in creating imaginative, innovative plastic figures. This set is no exception.

Review Author
Joe Porche
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions has released a set of white-metal front and rear main gear for the Academy CH-46 in 1/48 scale. The set includes three parts, a front gear strut and two main rear struts. These three parts are direct replacements for kit parts A-18, B20(r), and B21(l).

There are two deficiencies in the kit gear that are alleviated by the SAC replacements. First my kit gear had a pin hole in one of the rear supports with significant shrinkage around it. The kit front gear had a large pin ejector mark prominently in the middle of the piece. Replacing with the SAC gear eliminated having to deal with these issues.

Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$24.95

This is one of three photoetch sets provided by Eduard for the Meng 1/35 scale D9R Armored Bulldozer kit. The Meng D9R kit itself has previously been reviewed [Meng D9R Review]. The Eduard Cooling Slats set has also been reviewed [D9R Cooling Slats Review], as well as the Eduard Exterior Photoetch set [D9R Exterior Photoetch Review].

Review Author
Tom Moon
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$18.95

This set is of 3 figures and a zeltbahn (tent). These figures are in a rest area and are shown just settling in. The box art and instructions are on the back of the box and shows the figures in a completed state. This illustration by Ronald Volstad is a fairly accurate representation of the 3 figures and a great depiction of the camouflage on the tent.

This set had very minimal flash, and no ejection pin marks. What mold lines that were there were easily removed with a sharp blade. There are no decals, and the painting instructions are just for the major items. The paint colors are coded only for Testors and Mr. Color.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Bronco Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$109.95

When Bronco first announced a 1/35th scale Type XXIII U-boat, I was fired up. I love U-boats and this scale was only previously available in very, very expensive resin. When it became available for review, I jumped on it. Upon opening the large box, you have lots of plastic to contend with as the finished sub will be as large as the 1/72 Revell Type VII’s. Inside are 113 gray parts with nice detail that make up the sub itself. The hull is split in half and also in front and rear sections. There are 52 parts to build two torpedoes and 21 to build a raft that can be attached to the front. Also included are 9 clear parts, a sheet of photoetch, two magnets and a nice sheet of decals. Being this large, you will notice that the sprue attachment points are pretty thick. Cutting with a razor saw is the way to go.