Reviews

Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
Meng Model
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$37.50

Meng sure does like to pop up now and then with the unique. This model is a case in point – a model of the single prototype flamethrower jeep developed for the British special services unit referred to as “Popski’s Private Army.” Why this particular concept didn’t take off isn’t really too hard to grasp. Imagine running around behind enemy lines in a completely unarmored vehicle with several gallons of extremely volatile fluids under pressure in tanks at your back. A single stray bullet could really ruin the crew’s entire day, I would think. The only effective way to survive a patrol in this contraption would be with the sincere hope that you have the element of surprise. Otherwise . . .

Meng has made a terrific little kit here of this one-off machine. The only non-styrene addition is the flexible tubing meant to attach the flamethrower gun to the fluid tank. Otherwise this is an extremely straight-forward and enjoyable single evening build.

Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
AFV Club
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$69.99

Brief History from Wikipedia

The IAV (Interim Armored Vehicle) Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicles derived from the Canadian LAV III. Stryker vehicles are produced by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada for the United Staes Army. It has 4-wheel drive (8×4) and can be switched to all-wheel drive (8×8). The vehicle is named for two unrelated U.S. soldiers who posthumously received the Medal of Honorr: Private First Class Stuart S Stryker, who died in World War II, and Specialist Four Robert F Stryker, who died in the Vietnam War.

In April 2019, the Army decided to add cannon armament to Stryker DVH ICVVA1 vehicles in three brigades; the first is planned to be equipped in 2022

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
Masterpiece Models
Scale
1/72 to 1/48
MSRP
$29.99

Copied from the Masterpiece Models website, About Masterpiece Models, “Masterpiece Models manufactures and sells the highest quality resin assembly kits on the market today. Featuring kits for a variety of interests including WWII, Vietnam, Sci-fi, and aircraft bases. We have acquired the rights to a large selection of the Custom Dioramics line that are now available through us as resin assembly kits. Our kits are manufactured at our Vancouver, Washington, USA fabrication and casting shop.”

Book Author(s)
Mark E, Stille
Review Author
Luke R. Bucci, PhD
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$22.00

Mark E. Stille, a retired Commander of the U.S. Navy, and is a prolific writer and enthusiast for WW2 naval history – over 40 Osprey titles. Paul Wright painted the ships on the cover and in the text. Alan Gilliland illustrated the maps, ship profiles and armaments. Maurizio Brescia provided many of the photographs.

Review Author
Michael Novosad
Published on
Company
Zoukei-Mura
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$75.00

The Zoukei Mura Kit

Refer to Part 1 for the construction of this fine model kit.

There have been a number of positive reviews for the Zoukei Mura F-4 Phantom series of model kits, and I cannot add anything new, other than these are really great kits. I would encourage anyone interested in this airraft to purchase any Zoukei Mura Phantom. You will not be sorry.

Aftemarket Accessories Used

Several months ago I had the opportunity to review the following Hypersonic Models aftermarket accessory set that I had originally planned to use on a Zoukei Mura F-4S Phantom sometime in 2020. However with the opportunity to build and review the "J" version I decided now is the time to utilize the Hypersonic Models set. Since the Zoukei Mura Phantom have had their fair share of reviews I will focus my efforts on describing the modifications to the kit with the inclusion of the follwing accessory into the build.

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
Company
Amigo Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$18.50

This set is designed to be used on Trumpeter’s Su-24 kits. The set consists of 10 resin parts which allows you to assemble a pair of exhaust nozzles for your Su-24 Fencer. Each nozzle set is comprised of a section with the rearmost fan blades, the flame-holder for the afterburner, the exhaust pipe and the rear nozzle assembly. The set also includes the rear engine bay bulkhead and the oddly shaped section between the two nozzles.

Review Author
Frank Landrus
Published on
Company
OKB Grigorov
Scale
1/700
MSRP
$27.99

The first of the modern type of submarines for the Swedish navy was the Sjöormen class, designed in the early 1960s by Kockums, Malmo, and built by that company (three units) and Karlskronavarvet (two units). The class comprised the Sjöormen, Sjolejonet, Sjohunden, Sjobjornen and Sjohasten. With an Albacore type hull for speed and a twin-deck arrangement the class was extensively used in the relatively shallow Baltic where its excellent maneuverability and silent-running capabilities greatly aided the Swedish navy's anti-submarine warfare operations.

Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.95

Note: Before you begin, click the link to the Tulsa, Oklahoma group The Gap Band. Their hit, “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” is the perfect listening accompaniment for this topic. The DIAZO effects used in the video are kinda cool, too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17lkdqoLt44&list=RD17lkdqoLt44&start_radio=1&t=31

With apologies to Wikipedia... “PAVE Way is a series of laser-guide bombs (L.G.B.). PAVE, or pave, is sometimes used as an acronym for Precision Avionics Vectoring Equipment; literally, electronics for controlling the speed and direction of aircraft. Laser guidance is a form of PAVE.

Review Author
Gino Dykstra
Published on
Company
Master Box Ltd
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$19.99

Master Box sure enjoys exploring new venues for its range, and their growing post-apocalyptic series is one really worth watching. As always, the concepts are inventive and the execution quite pleasing. This latest five-figure set (really a diorama in a box) is no exception.

Review Author
Keenan Chittester
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$10.95

The Special Hobby 1/48 Siebel Si 204D has a lot of detail in the cockpit and cabin, so it is a shame that no seatbelts are provided. Eduard have come to the rescue with this excellent set of pre-painted steel seatbelts. The Siebel has two seats in the cockpit, plus another five seats in the radio compartment and cabin. Eduard provides lap belts and shoulder harnesses for the two seats up front, and lap belts for the five aft seats. The color looks good, and I didn’t experience any problems with the pre-painted colors coming off.

This is the first time I have used Eduard’s steel belts, and I must say I am hooked. They are much easier to manipulate than the brass items, so they can be bent into much more natural looking seatbelts. They also seemed to be easier to cut from the fret, which is nice. Eduard’s instructions were clear and easy to follow.