Review Author
David Dodge
Published on
May 1, 2022
Company
Gallery Models
Scale
1/16
MSRP
$199.98

Opening the Box

Wow was it Christmas or what? This is a smaller armored vehicle in the big picture of things, but there is no doubt it is a big kit, and it is stuffed with sprues. The box is 22” by 13 ¾” by 5 5/8 “. Nope it is not going to fit in the mailbox. There is a single hull piece with 141 sprues (95 of which are the 190 Track blocks in a separate bag bundled in the hull along with the track components), So a rough sprue parts count drives this number up to over 1,105 individual parts. Also included are the Side skirts, clear parts and the copper tow cable and PE parts. Also included is an optional metal gun barrel.

So, if you thought because it’s bigger means less parts your build experience will be just like a well contented 1/35 kit. Nope not a snap-tite kit for sure. However, because the parts are larger, the detail is well executed and crisp with almost no flash whatsoever. The sprue gates and risers are larger so there will be more cleanup

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
May 5, 2022
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.95

The SAC website says they replicate plastic kit parts in white metal and correct inaccurate or missing details if needed. That is the case in this set for the 1/48 Airfix Tiger Moth kit. The main landing gear on the Moth has two forward facing struts connecting the main gear to the fuselage. Airfix does provide those in the kit. They are not part of this set. It also has two smaller struts facing rearward. Airfix didn’t include those in the kit but SAC has. A tail skid replacement rounds out this offering. I recommend this set for anyone wishing to build an accurate Tiger Moth.

Thank you to SAC for the offering the sample for review and to IPMS for sharing that sample with me.

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
May 2, 2022
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$20.15

Hauler has provided another addition to the great small scale releases from Brengun with this Texaco Doodlebug (also known as Diamond T Doodlebug). This was a streamlined American tanker truck of the 1930’s. They were part of a project to modernize the Texaco brand at the time.

The detail quality is great; there is a lot of easily removable flash and no other noticeable imperfections. The parts once removed from the mold base are ready to assembly. The parts are very delicate parts that need careful removal while adding to the assembly.

The Assembly is quick and easy. Please be careful cutting the parts. I did have a little damage to the truck interior with the steering column broken but that was a simple fix.

The final part is painted as shown in the box and looks great. Highly recommended.

Thanks go to Hualer/Brengun for providing this kit to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it.

Book Author(s)
Dennis Olivier
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
May 3, 2022
Company
Pen & Sword
MSRP
$24.95

Pen and Sword continues to expand its TankCraft series, this time with an installment of the Tiger I and II in the last battles in the East.

The book is divided in the following sections

  • Introduction
  • The Eastern Front 1945
  • Tiger Units of the Heer
  • Camouflage and Markings
  • Model Showcase
  • Modelling Products
  • Panzerkorps (neuer art)
  • Formations raised in 1945
  • Tiger Units of the Waffen-SS
  • Technical Details and Modifications
  • Product Contact Details

Each section is well written, and the historical information is well researched and easy to understand. The historical information is mainly focused around unit locations. Also, there are a few sections of the book where the unit composition strength (order of battle) are described. The number of period (B&W) pictures is impressive and serve not just as a historical research but as a modelling reference.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
May 3, 2022
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$35.00

Designed by German aerobatic pilot Walter Extra in 1988, the Extra 300 started life as an unlimited aerobatic platform with a shoulder mounted wing that made landing interesting because the runway wasn’t visible during touch down. In 1995 the Extra 300L was introduced and has become the most numerous of the Extras manufactured to date. Learning lessons from previous versions the L (for low wing), mounted the wing lower on the fuselage to improve the view for both pilot and student. This is a purpose-built machine that is capable of exceeding the average pilot’s physical abilities. Designed to withstand the stress of 10 positive and 10 negative Gs and roll up to 400 degrees per second, the Extra is right at home in the worlds of unlimited aerobatics. They can be seen in airshows, aerobatic competitions and air racing like the now defunct Red Bull air races.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
May 3, 2022
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$5.00

This masking set is useful for either the kits injected canopy or the optional vacuform part (item #BRL48157). It consists of four sections that go on easily and fit as expected. A simple, cheap time saver. Thank you Brengun for this sample and IPMS for sending it to me.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
May 3, 2022
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.50

This is a companion detail set for the Brengun Extra 330L kit#BRP48007. A full review of that kit is posted elsewhere on this site. The base kit will build up into a nice model but I can't imagine building it without this set.

There are so many details included such as seat belts, instrument panels, aileron assist paddles and aerobatic sight frames that the model doesn’t look complete without them.

In addition to the PE parts, there is a small acetate sheet that includes instruments that get trapped behind the PE parts and an inspection window that goes over a cutout under the horizontal stabilizer. Simply put, if you want to build this model, order this set at the same time.

Thank you to Brengun for the sample of another unique subject and to IPMS for sending it my way.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
May 3, 2022
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.75

The Extra 300L in this scale has a large canopy covering a tandem seat cockpit. If you want it closed, this is the only option you have a chance of doing that since the kits injected part doesn’t fit closed. Even if you elect to open it, when the inside and outside are painted, it creates a nice scale thickness canopy. The material used is about .55 mm thick so it's stiff enough to hold it shape. That also makes it easy to cut and sand to size. I’ve used a lot of vacuform canopies over the years and this is one of nicest I've worked with. Brengun also makes a masking set for this (item BRL48157). This is a good addition to the Brengun kit and I highly recommend it if you want the canopy closed. Thanks to Brengun for sending this sample and as always, to IPMS for allowing me to tell you about it.

Book Author(s)
Matthew Willis
Review Author
Hub Plott
Published on
May 3, 2022
Company
Key Publishing Ltd
MSRP
$24.95

The Fairey Firefly was one of the most successful two-seat fighter/strike/attack aircraft used in WWII and beyond. While the type did have some teething problems at the beginning it proved its value across multiple theatres and two wars. The first action for the type was in Europe against the German battleship Tirpitz and then onto the Pacific against the Japanese, Later marks provided valuable service in the Korean War.

The book is divided into eight chapters, the first dealing with the use of the Firefly in WWII. Though the production Mk. I was over 40MPH slower than Fairey had promised it did prove valuable in the reconnaissance and attack roles,

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
May 5, 2022
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$11.95

Everything about the Avanti defies conventional logic in aircraft design. The main wing is set far back on the fuselage and a canard is mounted on the nose. The twin turboprop engines are mounted on the rear of the wings and drive the propellers in a pusher configuration. It's easy to recognize in the air long before you see it due to the distinctive sound of its engine/ propeller combination. Like everything else on this aircraft, the main landing gear is a complex group of parts that accommodate its retraction into the fuselage.

SAC has reproduced the kit parts in white metal. For the main gear, which is made up of three parts, you will need references beyond the kit instructions to figure out how these parts relate to each other. The nose gear is a single strut. The main benefit of the set is added strength as these parts are very small relative to the airframe. This set is a useful addition to a very unique aircraft.