The BRU-42 triple ejector rack (TER) is a weapon suspension unit that attaches to an aircraft's main pylons to allow the carrying of three weapons instead of one on a single pylon. They have been around for a while and can carry multiple types of weapons. Many models have simplified representations of the TER in their kits. Eduard’s set comes with parts to make five separate TERs each is comprised of 2 shackles for the attachment and six sway braces and one central body. The total set is 45 resin parts, color instructions and a full set of decals containing all the markings needed.

Please note that Aviaeology has a website that is currently under revision. Aviaeology requests that purchases be made through their eBay store.

For those who have purchased decals from Aviaeology before, you are already aware of the high quality of their products, and you are also aware of the excellent documentation that Aviaeology provides to its customers.

From the Hasegawa web page:

Set to strike

During the Pacific War, Charles MacDonald shot down 27 enemy fighters with his P-38, nicknamed "Putt-Putt Maru." These victories and his exceptional abilities as commander of the 475th Fighter Group made him one of the top Allied aces of World War II. P-38 Lightnings were the ideal aircraft for the Pacific; their long range, high speed and heavy armament let U.S. forces successfully engage Japanese planes at every turn.

Kit

This kit is a re-release of an older kit that comes packaged in a sturdy cardboard box with 1 bag of sprues, a single sheet of decals, and an instruction manual.

The sprue bag contains 4 gray sprues (36 parts) and 1 clear (1 part) sprue (in a small bag to prevent scratches).

The decal sheet is for 1 P-38 in the markings of Lt. Col. Charles Henry “Mac” MacDonald’s P-38 “Putt-Putt Maru”.

For ship modelers looking to improve the look of their ship masts, or specifically their yardarms, Master Model has come to the rescue. Their Yardarm Set Number 2 contains half a dozen replacement yardarms in lengths of 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, and 32.5 mm (one of each size is included). The already small brass items are finely tapered out to the ends, just like the real thing. If replacing plastic yardarms on a kit, the comparison photograph shows what a difference these can make, although it is comparing the 5mm yardarms available in set one.

My hits are that once again, the folks at Master Model have released some very finely detailed replacement parts, in this case for the 1/700 scale ship modeler. The fine taper are clearly visible, and will make a nice upgrade for a reasonable price.

Normally I don’t build outside of my pre-1945 comfort zone, but I’ve always liked the shape and look of the Tucano/Super Tucano. When Hobby Boss released this kit I couldn’t pass on making the purchase. As with any decent kit there is always room for little improvement and this kit is no exception. Joining another resin aftermarket manufacturer, Aires is now offering a set of replacement stabs/elevators for the Tucano.

Quickboost provides you with one set of Vought F4U-5N flame dampener exhausts. Of note is the re-sealable packaging that Quickboost uses that makes the parts easy to review and then stuff back into the package securely. There are no supplied instructions; you simply swap out the kit provided plastic parts with the new Quickboost replacements. These Quickboost parts are specific replacements for the kit exhausts which replicate a standard F4U-5 without the flame dampened exhausts. If you wish to do a post-war F4U-5N that had its flame dampener exhausts removed for the standard F4U-5 exhausts, I would point you to the Quickboost 48 661 set that is gorgeous.

Quickboost has molded the exhausts perfectly in light grey resin with no apparent bubbles. The Quickboost exhausts provide you with no mold seams to sand off along with a hollowed out exhaust.

Quickboost provides you with a F4U-5 engine reductor, distributor covers, and engine pump. Of note is the re-sealable packaging that Quickboost uses that makes the parts easy to review and then stuff back into the package securely. There supplied instructions note the swap out of the kit provided plastic parts with the new Quickboost replacements. One part, the magneto is not used with the F4U-5’s R-2800-32W Series E engine and appears to be a carryover for a F4U-4B R-2800 engine (QB 48 045). The F4U-5’s R-2800-32W Series E engine was a fairly unique engine and was not used in any other aircraft.

Quickboost has molded the parts perfectly in light grey resin with no apparent bubbles. The Quickboost exhausts provide you with no mold seams to sand off.

Eduard recently released a Quattro kit of the Avia B.534, a Czech biplane which participated in World War 2. I got to review the kit, and now I’m doing a second build utilizing Eduard’s PE upgrade for the Avia.

The Kit

You get a single PE fret with enough add-ons to do a single aircraft. There is a lagniappe here, as there are 4 instrument panels, so you can do another 3 with them.

The fuselage parts are side panels for the cockpit, a set of seat and shoulder belts, a control stick, front and rear radiator grills, and a step. There is also a “ring & cross” gun sight, a tail wheel add-on for the Bulgarian version and a tail wheel protector for the tow tug version. Unfortunately the last 3 items weren’t for the version I built.

For the wings you get the best part of this set…There are PE wing bracing wires.

Eduard has been issuing the world’s best photoetch for a long time now and I have watched many of my modeling friends use all sorts of things to add CA glue to the parts - toothpicks, dental tools, sprue parts and many more. The issue is how to apply the minimum amount of glue needed. Eduard has issued a nifty little tool to help apply the glue.

The parts come on a photoetch fret with 20 droppers. The droppers have a etched lower part and come to a tip with two small forks. Use is simple- cut the dropper free and make sure not to damage the tip. It is designed to fit into a #11 knife handle. Place it into the handle like a knife blade and tighten it up.

For ship modelers looking to improve the look of their ship masts, or specifically their yardarms, Master Model has come to the rescue. Their Yardarm Set Number 1 contains a dozen replacement yardarms in lengths of 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, and 17.5 mm (two of each size is included). The already small brass items are finely tapered out to the ends, just like the real thing. If replacing plastic yardarms on a kit, the comparison photograph shows what a difference these can make.

My hits are that once again, the folks at Master Model have released some very finely detailed replacement parts, in this case for the 1/700 scale ship modeler. The fine taper are clearly visible, and will make a nice upgrade for a reasonable price.

I have no valid miss for this release itself. The directions only show the items that are present, and mention set number 2 in this scale as well as the two sets available in 1/350 scale.

Eduard continues to release great photoetch sets this is no exception. This is for the Kinetic Mirage IIIE. This set adds a lot of missing detail to the cockpit that really add to the kit.

The photoetch parts are for the:

• Seat
• Instrument panel
• Canopy details

In the packet is:

• 2 x photoetch sheet
• 1 instruction sheet

Summary

This is a must have set for the Kinetic kit as it makes it into a great model with all you need to improve the detail of this aircrafts cockpit. The instruments are great and make the cockpit very impressive.

Thanks go to Eduard for providing this set to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it for them.

History

The MiG-15 was the product of the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Team, which was known as the MiG Design Bureau. After producing a series of moderately successful fighters during World War II, and numerous prototypes, their first jet powered design, the MiG-9 was not produced in significant numbers. However, after the war, when German aerodynamic research became available, a design was produced using some of the ideas that were incorporated into the Focke Wulf TA-183 jet fighter prototype, which include a sweptback wing. The original prototype first flew in December, 1947, powered by an imported Rolls Royce Nene engine, which the Russians later copied for use in production models. The MiG-15 became the standard Soviet fighter during the late forties, and continued in service for many years thereafter. The type was also exported to Soviet Allies, including China, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and other countries under Soviet influence.

I have several of the Rinaldis Tank Art books and they are great guide books so I was looking forward to this one on the Industria Mechanika Fichten Foo’s Fantastical Fish Shaped Submarine. I love the Industria Mechanika products and all things Steam Punk/ Diesel Punk.

Unlike the standard Tank Art book format and size this book is small and compact only 6.5” x 7.5”, which is a great way to show it’s for a single subject. I love this concept and look forward to more of these from Rinaldi. Even the look and feel of the paper in the book gives it a vintage feel!

As soon as I open the book I was impressed. This book has all the great methods and style that Rinaldi has put into the great Tank Art books. The graphics are perfect and enhance the whole enjoyment of the book.