Review Author
Chris Graeter
Published on
January 6, 2015
Company
Meng Model
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$44.00

History

The M3A3 Bradley w/BUSK III CFV is the very latest model fielded by the US Army. The Cavalry Fighting Vehicle’s (CFV) primary duties are reconnaissance and scouting. The CFV Bradleys are normally assigned to Tank Battalions or Cavalry Divisions. The Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) Bradleys are used to transport troops into battle and out.

MENG has followed their kit of the successful M2A3 Bradley (IFV) w/BUSK III with the new M3A3 Bradley (CFV) w/BUSK III. They have separated the main vehicle and the interior into two kits and packaged both separately. This gives modelers the option to build the vehicle kit without the interior at a cost savings.

This review covers MENG’s M3A3 Bradley w/BUSK III Interior Set. The vehicle itself is reviewed separately at: M3A3 Bradley w/BUSK III

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
January 7, 2015
Company
Aviaeology
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$10.00

For any who have missed it, Aviaeology out of Canada produces decals specific to many Canadian themed subjects. The first thing that hits you when you purchase one of their sets is the detail provided to replicate specific aircraft. The research going into these decals is second to none. This set includes markings for nine different aircraft in a variety of schemes. Here’s a quick list:

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
January 8, 2015
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$9.95

Developed jointly by the US Air Force and US Navy starting in 1971, the AIM-9L was a vastly improved Sidewinder that was based on the H-model. The missile used All-Aspect Capability against maneuvering targets, as well as high-speed targets. The forward canards were longer in span, and of a double-delta design. Production began in 1978 with over 16,000 missiles being built by Philco-Ford, Raytheon, BGT (Germany), and Mitsubishi.

Review Author
Scott Hollingshead
Published on
January 8, 2015
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$7.95

One of the latest releases from Eduard in their Brassin line are a set of wheels meant to replace the kit provided ones in the Tamiya 1/72 scale F-16CJ Fighting Falcon. Consisting of three 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. The F-16CJ Block 50 release by Tamiya follows their impressive renditions first rolled out in 1/32 scale, and later in 1/48.

Review Author
David Wrinkle
Published on
January 8, 2015
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

Normally, I don’t build outside of my pre-1945 comfort zone, but I’ve always liked the shape and look of the Tucano and Super Tucano aircraft. When HobbyBoss released their 1/48 scale kit of the Super Tucano recently, I couldn’t pass on making the purchase. As with any decent kit, there is always room for a little improvement. To that end, Quickboost has released three new resin details for the HobbyBoss Super Tucano kit.

Part #

Part Name

Cost

QB 48 612

Exhaust

$6.50

Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
January 8, 2015
Company
Bronco Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$49.99

Over time, I find myself becoming fonder and fonder of Bronco Models and their products. They consistently seem to offer fascinating subjects done with a real flair, and this set is no exception. It consists of a 75mm Pack Howitzer along with a jeep, trailer, four riding paratroopers, and a wealth of personal equipment. The box is packed with good, firm plastic which takes fine detail well, and it also includes three sheets of photo-etch and two decal sheets: one for the equipment and one for the soldiers. As this is a variant of the regular jeep offered by Bronco, you wind up with a host of useful extras, including wheels/tires, windshields, and steering wheels. The instructions are actually a 27-page full-color manual, and they are extremely well laid out and informative. In addition, for the most part, parts are logically laid out on the sprues. This helps in piecing together this complicated set and saves an immense amount of time searching for some elusive bit.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
January 8, 2015
Company
Hauler
MSRP
$8.00

Hauler’s glue applicator will definitely get you into tight spaces with just the right amount of glue for tiny jobs. Handle this product just as you would any photo etched piece, removing the tips from the carrier sheet in the same manner as a photo etched part would be removed.

Hauler provides 17 single tips and 16 double tips in the product package.

To use the product, simply remove the tip from the carrier sheet and insert it in an Xacto Knife handle (the type that has a threaded collar that loosens and tightens down on the Xacto blade or, in this case the photo etch Hauler Glue tip.

The business end of the tip narrows down into two arms that have a slot in between which, when dipped into super glue, will hold a very small quantity of the adhesive in that slot. Simply touch the tip to the part(s) being glued and you’re done!

Book Author(s)
Jon Guttman, Illustrated by Harry Dempsey& Mark Postiethwaite
Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
January 8, 2015
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$21.95

I don’t know about you, but I had never considered using the word “Aces” in a discussion of WWI Reconnaissance aircraft…or WWI bombers either for that matter. Then, I had the opportunity to read Osprey’s Aircraft of the Aces – 123, and learn much about WWI airmen other than fighter pilots who earned that title while flying in what many would consider slow and rather awkward aircraft. According to the book’s appendices, at least 134 reconnaissance and bomber pilots managed to do exactly that. And, their story is a compelling one that is long overdue.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
January 10, 2015
Company
Furball Aero-Design
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$19.99

In their first collaboration, Geoff Martin of Furball Decals and Bert Kinzey of Detail and Scale have come up with three comprehensive decal sheets for the Kittyhawk TF-9J Cougar with no less than nine subject covered in great detail and with superb markings. The set comes with six color pages on instructions which also include instructions for the stencils, paint call outs in FS numbers and complete profile shots of each plane with decal locations. There are two perfectly printed decal sheets- one full size and one quarter size which contains stencils for two aircraft plus the needed markings for all nine. There are no wing walk decals included so they need masked and painted. The declas are printed by Cartograf and look great.

Here's the list of planes represented:

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
January 10, 2015
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$15.00

Eduard continues its releases of highly detailed missiles with an AGM-12C Bullpup. The Bullpup was the first mass produced air-to-surface guided missile and entered production in 1965. The missile was carried by F-4’s and F-105’s and, unfortunately, it was not particularly effective. Also note that the “C” version would not necessarily be appropriate to earlier aircraft. In any case, check your references.

The set comes with part to produce four complete missiles. This includes forty resin parts and a set of decals. 32 of the parts are perfectly cast fins- four main fins and four small fins. The main body and engine are two separate parts. Casting is prefect and very well defined.