Hasegawa's 1/48 F-104 is a very nice kit and build into a fine replica of a very pretty plane. Eduard has started to release aftermarket sets for the plane to upgrade the exhausts and the wheels. This set deals with the early F-104 version using the GE J79 engine. The set consists of five perfectly cast resin pieces with two photoetch pieces. The photoetch pieces are for flame holders. To prepare the set, you need to remove the casting blocks from the exhaust tube and exhaust petals along with two braces to support the installation of the engine in the fuselage. When you are cutting the exhaust petals loose, be slow and careful as it is fragile due to its thinness and detail

Assembly is simple. Add the flame holder inside the exhaust tube. Add the second flame holder to the top of the engine back. You then glue the supports in and then assemble the three pieces. The supports hold the exhaust snugly and the you need to make sure that the exhausts protrudes appropriately.

Scale Aircraft Conversions has released replacement landing gear for the Wingnut Wings 1/32 Pfalz D.IIIa. The supplied items include two main gear legs, the main gear axle, and the tail skid. All four parts are loose in the blister package and not attached to any metal sprue.

This replacement set will provide stronger landing gear that won’t sag over time, and are somewhat adjustable if necessary to obtain proper alignment. Even with zero previous experience in using white metal parts, this set will provide an upgrade that most modelers will have no problem installing. Scale Aircraft Conversions does not use lead in their white metal mix, so the builder does not have to be concerned with that perceived hazard.

Thanks to Caracal Models for sending these excellent decals for review. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for letting me review them! I am very appreciative of the chance to contribute back to the scale-modeling community.

This review covers a new release of decals for the MQ-9 UAV, including the NASA Ikhana version from the long-since sold out inaugural 1:48 scale sheet produced by Caracal. My target kit was the Revell MQ-9 and I chose to model the Ikhana markings. Eight versions representing NASA, USAF, RAF, French and Italian Air Force aircraft between 2013 and 2013 are included with the exception of the Ikhana in 2008. Stenciling is minimal, as it is on the actual Reaper. The decals are crisp and well-registered, printed by Cartograf. The decals responded well to Microscale decal solutions and settled snugly into position with no problems.

Whenever dealing with classic 1966 Batman related materials, there’s always a strong urge to get campy. However, for the sake of clarity here I will avoid the usual “holy this” and “gosh that” phrases that come immediately to mind. Growing up in that era, however, let it be noted that the classic Batman series with Adam West left an indelible impression on my young mind. I will always have an abiding fondness for the series, which now possesses an innocent charm lacking in more recent incarnations.

Moebius Models has heard the siren call, and their first new figure kit from the series – Batman himself – is a wonderful beginning to what looks to be a fascinating collection of characters. They have captured Adam West’s appearance to a “T” and expert figure modelers should be able to make real masterpieces of this kit.

Thanks to Aires Hobby Models for sending these excellent diorama accessories and details for review. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for letting me review them! I am very appreciative of the chance to contribute back to the scale-modeling community.