Thank you to Furball Aero-Design for extending this decal series. I am certain that F-14 fans will be thrilled with this set! 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.
I won’t go into too much detail on the B17E because its been covered extensively with all the other B17 kits out there. It started the war headed right into the middle of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The B17s were not armed so they had no way to fight back. They had to land because they were low on fuel. Some were destroyed some damaged and a couple escaped with little damage. From that point on the B17 was the only big bomber in the pacific that was used for the first year and did what it could to slow the Japanese onslaught. It’s amazing that they could accomplish anything with the limited men and materials available during the early part of the Pacific war, not to mention the horrible conditions they had to work in.
Master Model produces beautiful little brass parts for aircraft. Their particular thing is those easily broken and lost parts, pitot tubes and wing guns. I also recently did a review on their gun barrels for the 1/144 Ju-87G Stuka, another set of easily broken parts.
The instructions are pretty basic, so you need to have some modeling experience to figure out what to do. On the other hand, once you’ve done one of these, it becomes pretty clear what the instructions want you to do.
I started with Minicraft Spitfire Vc which has been on my shelf for a while. I began by cutting off the kit supplied guns with a sprue cutter. Master makes their guns a little longer so there’s a solid mating surface between the kit wing and the cannon barrel.
Model Art is a Japanese publication that specializes in different aspects of plastic modelling. They have a monthly publication that covers all different genres, but also they publish special issues focusing on a specific topic. In this case how to improve your airplane models.
Be aware that all the text in this special issue is in Japanese. Still the step-by-step pictures are self-explanatory and if you install Google Translate in your smartphone, you can get a machine-based translation for the images captions.
This special issue has tips and techniques being applied in the following airplane models
Scale Aircraft Conversions has produced replacement gear for the Italeri/Testors 1/72 scale C-130 family of kits. The white metal replacements are an identical fit replacement for the kit plastic parts. The supplied items include two main gear struts and the nose gear assembly. Some other SAC packages include replacement wheels, as well, but this is not the case here. You will need to use the Italeri/Testors kit wheels for your build.
A side by side evaluation (see photos) indicates an identical replacement that should provide a greater strength assembly with a significantly improved weight capacity and abuse tolerance. However, use some care, because in this scale, even cast metal parts are very fine and fragile. I found it easy to accidentally bend them out of shape with my heavy-handedness.
In some cases where original equipment was left in a natural metal finish, painting may not be necessary. As always, check your reference photos.
Master – Reality in Miniature has produced a replacement nose pitot for the Airfix BAE Hawk 100 kit. The replacement pitot is a clean drop-in for the kit’s plastic part. The supplied item includes a one piece main pitot tube of turned brass.
A side by side evaluation (see photos) indicates an identical replacement that provides a much more realistic assembly with a significantly improved abuse tolerance. Painting of the main tube will require a quick touch with silver, aluminum or your favorite metalizer after priming, to transform the brass. Check your references.
No other assembly is required. The tube should be attached to the kit fuselage with CA glue. Using care in handling after assembly would seem to be good advice, as the part will be quite fragile, even though it is metal, and the point will pierce human skin easily, given an opportunity. Heed my experience!
Model Art is a Japanese publication that specializes in different aspects of plastic modelling. They have a monthly publication that covers all different genres, but also they publish special issues focusing on a specific topic. In this case the issue is part of a series known as “German AFV Database”.
This issue in particular covers many (if not all) the different AFV that were based on the Panzer IV and the Panzer 38(t) chassis -that have ever been kitted in 1/35 scale.
Be aware that all the text in this special issue is in Japanese. Still the pictures are pretty self-explanatory, including pictures of the model box art plus the sprues of the kit. If you install Google Translate in your smartphone, you can get a machine-based translation for the images captions by simply taking a picture of them.
Ampersand's latest book continues to expand on their Visual History format, as this edition follows up with David Doyle's "251 Half-Track: A Visual History of the German Army's Sd.Kfz 251 Armored Half-Tracks". Ampersand got their start in 1993 when Pat Stansell distributed a free issue of Military Miniatures in Review at the IPMS Nationals in Atlanta. Ampersand joined forces with HobbyLink Japan in 2008 and have continued to expand their military AFV publications ever since.
True to the Visual History Series name, the focus of this book is on the visual, detailing the development and service history of the German Army's Kübelwagen and Schwimmwagen. This is slightly expanded from Ampersand's standard 120 page version of their Visual History format, and it runs 136 pages packed with large, clear photographs.
The advance THANK YOU to Furball aero design for sending IPMS USA these decals, and the fearless leaders at the reviewer corps for allowing me once again to do a review!
Every once in a while a product comes along that makes you wonder “why didn’t someone do this before?” In this case, framing on F-105’s is the subject.
I have struggled myself to paint the framing on canopies. Anything below 1/48 scale, “forget it”, and even then when it was attempted by yours truly, well, it was really awful. Because it’s so noticeable around the focal point of a model, the cockpit, office, whatever, it generally became an exercise in frustration.
These new decals by Furball, however, take care of the problem. You get two sets of decals: one designed for the F-105D single-seat and one set for the F-105F/G two seat models.
Ampersand’s latest book continues to expand on their Visual History format as this edition follows up on David Doyle’s “Dragon Wagon Part 1: A Visual History of the U.S. Army’s Heavy Tank Transporter 1941-1955”. Ampersand got their start in 1993 when Pat Stansell distributed a free issue of Military Miniatures in Review at the IPMS Nationals in Atlanta. Ampersand joined forces with HobbyLink Japan in 2008 and have continued to expand their military AFV publications ever since.
Master Model has released three new gun barrel sets for the P-38 Lightning, a plane I love. This one is listed as the late version with 4 x .50 cal Brownings with covered cooling jackets & late 20mm cannon tips. These are mostly seen on J and L versions but pays to check your references.
The detail is beautiful with drilled out barrel ends.
Construction depends on which kit you are using. Many have separate barrels so these are just simple replacements. Other kits (like the Hobby Boss) you will need to cut off the original barrels and drill holes to put the barrels in. Either way the detail on these is much better than any of the kit guns I have.
The instruction sheet shows a few period pictures of P-38 noses and a top view drawing showing the differing barrel lengths for the .50s.
Thanks to Master Model and IPMS/USA for the review kit.
Oh man, did Revell to a number on this kit. WOW!! You build a stock ’57 Ford Del Rio or build a gasser with the parts contained in the kit. This appears to be a follow up kit to ’57 Ford Del Rio kit that builds stock or as a police vehicle.
The engine comes with the parts for a single or dual quad intake manifold, fender well headers and 3 different air filters. All the engine parts fit together very well.
Revell did an interior platform with separate side panels and seats that feature wonderful engraving. I departed from the kit and installed 4 bucket seats and a console.
The Ford long roof body Revell made is magnificent! Door handles, rear lift gate, hood ornament, mirror, and windshield wipers are all separate parts. I choose to leave some of those pieces off in my desire to make build a mild custom car. I also modified side trim by removing the top portion. I used HOK planet green paint to finish off the kit.
I don’t think the Focke Wulf 190 needs much introduction, so I’ll keep it short. When introduced in 1941, much to the surprise of the RAF, the fighter design was found to have excellent maneuverability, while being rugged and well-armed. The design went thru a number of changes, with the FW-190A-8 version becoming the most produced model. The FW-190A8/R2 was noted for its increased firepower, with 20mm cannons being replaced with 30mm ones, and increased survivability due to additional armor in and around the cockpit.
Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white-metal replacement parts, now including the 1/48 Airfix Meteor F.8.
The set includes 10 parts with the following breakdown:
These parts are drop-in replacements; the white metal parts actually are
the equivalent to several plastic parts, and interchangeable as they fit the plastic parts almost perfectly.
Master Model has released three new gun barrel sets for the P-38 Lightning, one of my favorite aircraft. This one is listed as the early version with 4 x .50 cal. Brownings, with drilled cooling jackets & early and late 20mm cannon tips. These are mostly seen on early versions of the plane but the instructions have photos of some later birds sporting the drilled cooling jackets, so check your references.
The detail is beautiful with drilled out jackets and barrel ends. The early 20mm also has some additional detail.
Construction depends on which kit you are using. Many have separate barrels so these are just simple replacements. Other kits (like the Hobby Boss) will need to have the original barrels cut off and holes drilled for the barrels. Either way the detail on these is much better than any of the kit guns.
Model Art Modeling Magazine is an excellent monthly from Japan providing an abundance of modeling subjects in each issue. It doesn’t matter what your modeling focus is, each issue will provide something of interest for you, and more than likely, you’ll find something interesting that you didn’t know you would.
The magazine is published in Japanese, but even if you can’t read Japanese, the photography is really fantastic and the old saying “a picture says a 1,000 words” is very true. Each issue includes enough “work in progress” photos for even a layman to be able to follow along. The photos of the builds highlight many of the tools, materials, and techniques used by the master builders for each model built. Although, I’m sure something is lost in translation, the photos go a long way in explaining the builds visually. Honestly, sometimes I find myself spending as much time looking at the many advertisements as much as I do on the work in progress photos.
This kit by Italeri is a new release for 2016. The LAV-25 was developed in the 1980’s in response to the LAV program which was started during the late 1970’s. After several companies submitted their plans, General Motors of Canada was selected as the manufacturer for the Army and the Marine Corp. Later the Army withdrew their plans due to funding issues. The Marine Corp continued and eventually six variants of the LAV-25 were procured. This kit represents one of those variants: The LAV-25 with the 25mm M242 Bushmaster Automatic cannon. The LAV-25 I will be constructing represents the vehicle named “Croaker” from Charlie Company, 2nd LAI Battalion during Operation Desert Storm as seen in D'Angina, James, and Henry Morshead. LAV-25: The Marine Corps' Light Armored Vehicle. Botley, Oxford: Osprey, 2011. Print. Decals are provided for this version in the kit.
If you’ve never read a copy of Military Miniatures in Review (MMiR), you need to. It’s an 80-page, full color magazine covering armor modeling so maybe if you build just planes, you don’t necessarily need to read it, but you’ll still be missing out. MMiR is printed on heavy glossy paper, with excellent photography, and well-written articles, with just the right amount of humor mixed in to keep it light, while still covering each subject very well.
This issue has ten build articles, which cover each model build, not necessarily step-by-step, but in a way that the reader can follow the build as it’s going together. The authors are careful to point out any issues with the build, and they provide instruction and details of the builds from start to finish, all the way through weathering and how each base was built for the models displayed in a diorama, or vignette.
When I opened the box I was amazed at how many parts there were. It reminded me of the days when Dragon would include an entire sprue to provide 1 or 2 parts there are 11 yes 11 parts sprues in this kit. HEre is the breakdown of the entire kits contents.
The term Magach is short for Merkevet Giborei Hayil whish is literally Chariot of War Heroes. The Magach 1 is based on the M-48A1 and the MAgach2 is based is the M48A2C. a portion of the Israeli Magach 1 tanks were captured from Jordanian forces during the six day war. I have chosen to model a Jordanian M48A1 in Jordanian national markings
This is another of those little parts from Master Model of Poland which can save your model. In this case, it’s the refueling probe on the 1/144 Vulcan. The kit part is plastic. It sticks out there most of an inch in front of the rest of the aircraft, just inviting someone to bump it and break it off. With this metal replacement, you won’t have to worry about that. In fact it could cause injury, as it’s finer than a straight pin, and if you hit it, it could hurt.
What you get in the package is a small piece of finely turned metal. I’m not sure if this is brass, as it’s silver colored.
The instructions say to remove the kit probe from the base part and drill the hole in the base part. Since I had already finished this Vulcan, I didn’t think I could do that. But when I cut the kit probe off, the base was loose. So much for my gluing skills.
Master Model has a line of finely done brass parts which upgrade the kit they’re designed for. These parts are great if you have an accident and one of the cannons breaks off. The other possibility is AMS, as the machine guns are far superior in detail to the little nubs provided on the kit wing. See the parts comparison below.
The Spitfire IXe had a pair of 20mm cannons in the wing. These had been moved outboard to allow more ammunition for the Browning .50 caliber machine guns. The cannons stuck pretty far out from the wing, but the Brownings barely showed. The “fix” for the Brownings was to put the muzzle inside a tube which extended from the wing.
The kit contains six parts, two cannon barrels, two .50 muzzles and the wing tubes for the Brownings. The cannons for the early e wing were conical in shape. The later e wing had a more elliptical shape for the cannon fairings. This kit has the “late” cannons.
The International MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was developed in direct response to the unacceptable losses U.S. troops were experiencing in Iraq and Afghanistan from improvised explosive devices, and rocket propelled grenades. The MaxxPro (shorthand for Maximum Protection) was built with a V-shaped hull, and the option to add supplemental side armor for increased crew protection and vehicle survivability.
This book provides an excellent visual history of the MRAP from development to deployment in the field. In the first few pages, the authors provide a nice, concise history and informational introduction to the vehicle, including why the vehicles were needed, how the final design was selected, and a nice chart showing the various model designs for the MRAP.
Eduard has produced many different sets of seat belts over the years for many sizes and types of aircraft. They also have several different styles, with the fabric belts and straight photoetch belts. This set is 1/32nd scale photoetch steel with preprinted color on one side. The printing is top notch and even includes the required stitching on the belts. No specific aircraft are mentioned on the set. One set is tan and one is green and there are two complete sets of each including the lap belts.
The shoulder belts are straightforward in that you cut them free, bend the bottom clips perpendicular and glue them in place. One note here- to make the belts drape more naturally, I bend them up a little and twist them slightly. Not too much or the printing can come off but by doing this and bending them into place and then gluing, you get a more natural look.
The 1948 Ford was the final year for a new design that began in 1941 with a completely updated, wider and more modern looking car. Shortly after the new car was introduced in 1941 however, Ford had to convert its factories to war production. It wasn't until 1946 that car production resumed. The Coupe came in 3 trim levels, this '48 model being the Super De Luxe version powered by a 239ci Flathead V-8 engine.
Terms for police cars include (police) cruiser, squad car, area car and patrol car. In some places, a police car may also be informally known as a cop car, a black and white, a cherry top, a gumball machine. Depending on the configuration of the emergency lights and livery, a police car may be considered a marked or unmarked unit. Whatever you call them, since the first incarnation the police car has been one of the most valuable pieces of equipment our law enforcement agencies have at their disposal.
This AH-64D Apache Longbow is license built by Westland/Boeing for the British Army. A couple of interesting features unique to the British built aircraft are the inclusion of folding rotor blades, and Rolls Royce Turbomeca engines that replace the General Electric T700 in the US machines. There are also some avionics and weapon systems differences.
This was a very enjoyable and for the most part easy model to build. The two instruction sheets are a foldout type with, for the most part, clear pictures and logical directions. There is one for assembly, and one for the parts tree map and decal guide. It was nice having the tree map separate as I didn’t have to fold pages back and forth to find a part.
