Master Model of Poland is becoming as prolific as Eduard when it comes to supplying modelers with after-market brass bits to enhance their latest projects. One of the latest offerings from Master Model is a brass replacement pitot tube for any 1/144thscale MiG-21. While this part will do nicely with any kit, you'd be hard pressed to find a finer example of a small scale (1/144) MiG-21 than those produced by Eduard.

This brass pitot tube is a straightforward replacement for the kit-supplied part. All you need do is snip off the forward section of the kit part, drill a hole in the mounting bracket to accept the new part, and attach the pitot tube (All of this, courtesy some well-drawn instructions). Exercise some caution because I managed to bend the thing just getting it out if the packaging. But don't fret too much as the brass pitot tube will need to be bent slightly (see instructions) to conform to the curve of the fuselage.

In southeastern Poland runs the beautiful, but powerful San River. The San winds its way through the steep mountain gorges on its way to the Vistula River. Before it gets there, the river widens and is used by a number of hamlets along its banks to power various watermills and all manner of machinery. Some of that machinery is diminutive lathes and the other assorted machines common to a tool and die maker. It is within this environment that we find ourselves in the company of a number of gnomes working diligently on various tasks. It is this skilled work force that Master Model of Poland utilizes to manufacture their ever-expanding line of small scale, after-market brass replacement parts.

Brungen produces a wide range of unique resin and photo-etch accessories in 1/32, 1/48, 1/72 as well as 1/144. This wheelset is cast with zero flash and prominent pour blocks up half the wheels. The finish is slightly textured but realistic and raised lettering is visible however the wording cannot be read. In this scale, reading the tire should not be an issue to most modelers.

Scale Aircraft Conversions has been providing replacement gear for a wide range of aircraft models for some time now, and the quality of their products is, by now, unquestioned. This new product for the Kitty Hawk Range of F-5E Tiger II models in 1/32^nd scale is no exception.

Comprised of ten pieces in cleanly-molded white metal, this kit is designed to directly replace most of the major components of all three landing gear, including hydraulic rams and oleo scissors. Examining the pieces next to the kit-provided gear, they appear to be exacting replicas of the originals, although some of the finicky assembly work of the plastic items has already been done for you, as well as the filling in of a few rather awkward pin marks.

HMS Submarine M.1 was an innovative but ill-fated attempt to overcome the poor performance and high per-shot cost of contemporary torpedoes. The unique solution was to add a 12-inch Mark IX gun, initially intended for battleship use. The gun was to be fired at a flat trajectory on the surface, or even at periscope depth (!) through use of a simple bead gunsight. 3 of the 4 M-class vessels that were ordered were actually completed, but operational results were poor at best. To reload, the sub had to surface, and it has been reported that the Royal Navy was reluctant to risk the possibility of German replication of this concept. M1, the first in the class, did not see wartime service, and sadly was lost in a collision with a Swedish transport vessel in 1925, and was discovered again in 1999, reported in a BBC television documentary airing the next year.