The Aircraft

This is the second release of the 1/72 scale F-16CJ [Block 50] Fighting Falcon now with parts depicting underside equipment used on the aircraft! The versatile F-16 Fighting Falcon's adaptability to both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions makes it one of the cornerstones of the U.S. Air Force today. With over 4,500 F-16’s completed since it’s introduction in 1976, there have been numerous models of this aircraft in most model scales to date. Block 50 evolutions of the aircraft were deployed from 1991, F-16CJ fighters being fitted with radar countermeasures. The aircraft's capabilities have also been extended to include night fighter functionality.

Master Model has added two 1:32 scale detail armament sets for cannon equipped Hawker Hurricanes to their line of detail parts. These sets mirror sets they have produced in 1:72, 1:48 and 1:24 scale. This set (#AM-32-074) provides parts to assemble four highly detailed Hispano Mk.II cannon with flat recoil springs that were installed on the Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC. The parts are designed to replace the injection molded ones found in Revell Hurricane kits. All components are turned brass. The set includes two pair of wing fairings that are sized in different lengths for outboard and inboard positions on the port and starboard wings, four gun barrels and four turnings that simulate the flat springs.

The Product

My sample arrived in standard blister pack. Inside I found the instructions, one photo-etch fret, one piece of steel gun barrel stock, two pairs of machine guns, one pair is completely made of resin and the other pair has the photo-etched cooling jackets with steel barrels. Both sets include and/or share common photo-etch embellishments.

AOA Decals is new and a very welcome addition to the realms of decal manufacturers. Their first set of releases are for the Hobbyboss 1/48 A-6A kits. This review is specific to their Intruder Airframe Stencils which are made for High-Viz gray over white schemes. The stencils are applicable to A-6E, A-6E TRAM and KA-6D also. There are enough stencils to do one airframe. A first inspection of the approximately 1/3 size sheet revels perfect alignment and great color. They are printed by Cartograf which is great. The instructions are six pages of superb direction and show the different locations for the A-6E and KA-6D stencils.

The first thing I noticed with this set is how comprehensive it is as far as covering the entire aircraft. By that, I mean that the following is fully covered by the decals in this set:

I’ve been hooked on Steve Ginter’s publications ever since I came upon his first ones which more or less amounted to just decent-size pamphlets in thickness, with no color. Since then, I have managed to glom onto a pretty good collection of his Naval Fighter Series and companion Air Force Legends Series as well.

Each successive Ginter book seems to set the bar a little bit higher, being a little better than the last one. For modelers or historians, they contain a wealth of information, photographs, drawings, specifications, and history. I consider them among the best reference sources in my stash for my facets of the hobby.