One of the great things I have always found about modeling is that I never fail to learn something here and there. This set of the GBU-39 and the BRU-61 bomb rack caught my attention as, frankly, I had never heard of it. A quick Google and I was hooked and volunteered to review the set.

The GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb is just that, a smaller 250 lb. weapon which is a precision guided glide bomb. Its intent is to allow aircraft to carry more weapons and destroy more targets. Think of it this way, a plane has four pylons for example. At a bomb per pylon, that’s four total. Using adapters, at two bombs per pylon, eight targets can be destroyed. Using the GBU-39 with BRU-61 rack, the plane can carry sixteen bombs and destroy sixteen targets. Adding to that, the effective range of this weapon is over 50 miles and it can use multiple targeting systems. To get that long distance, it deploys wings to allow a glide range of over 50 miles. Interesting stuff.

There are many firms who make and market brass aircraft accessories for the modeler, but none seem to match the skill and delicacy that is routinely exhibited by Master Model from Poland. One of the latest gems is the set for the Curtiss P-40 B/C US version in 1/72 scale. In this set one gets the following: four .30 cal MG barrels for the wings, two .50 cal cowling blast tubes, one pitot tube, two resin pitot heads, one front bead sight, and four photoetch rear ring sights. Master-Model does not recommend any one P-40 kit so for this review, so I used the latest Airfix kit the Curtiss Hawk 81-A-2 which I had.

The F-14 Tomcat was the Navy's best long range interceptor, but it is now retired. It was built by Grumman and was their last and best “cat” that they ever made. The primary job of the F-14 was fleet defense and it did this with a mix of missiles; the long range Phoenix, the mid-range Sparrow and with the short range Sidewinder. It could even use its 20mm Vulcan cannon for close in work. The last Tomcat, the F-14D, which this review is about, had new F110 engines with digital avionics and new ejections seats as well. That being the Martin Baker SUJ-17 NACES ( Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seat).

Sometimes experienced modelers get so bogged down with the extensive projects we are working on, we forget to lift our over-taxed heads from the work bench, remove glasses and opti-visors, and smell the sweet success of a quick, easy build. So, while browsing the IPMS review list one day, I came upon this kit and “snapped” it up. My thought was to have my wife build it, but she took off in our (real) ’65 rag top Mustang instead, and left me to it.

The Revell Snap-Tite 2018 Mustang GT is a nice representation of the styling changes being made to the existing 2017 Mustang. The car will soon to be released this Fall. The main omission on the Snap-Tite model are the rear vision door mirrors.

Masking canopies, even 109 canopies, is a pain in the butt to me. Thank God that Eduard sees fit to make canopy masking sets. This latest one is designed for their Bf-109F-2.

Cut out of Kabuki tape, the masks are able to conform to the curves of the canopy. There are masks for the inside framework on the aft canopy, like the real thing, as well as, the external framework. This set also contains masks for the wheels and the wing tip lights.

All is not perfect though. The center canopy framing should be a single piece instead of the two piece per facet. It is easy to add the center piece of the canopy so it still saves you time. Eduard insists that there should be framework on the center canopy but that is not on the Friedrich. Strangely Eduard provides masks for painting the wingtip lights. These should be clear pieces but Eduard has molded them with the wing in grey plastic. You are supposed to paint them silver and then with the appropriate clear green and red.