The Stencel SEU-3/A ejection seat was used in the US Marine Corps’ AV-8A, later -S, as a cheaper and less capable replacement for the standard Martin-Baker MB.9 seat used by everyone else who operated first-generation Harriers.

This new product by Aires of the Czech Republic, will replace the IM seat from the Kinetic or Monogram AV-8A kits, or for anyone wishing to convert their Airfix Harrier GR.3 into an AV-8A (good luck with that). The product has 6 parts moulded in mid-grey resin, two in soft black resin, a small PE fret for belt buckles and other greeblies, plus a short length of very fine copper wire. The PE fret is tiny, but has 16 parts, some of which are barely over 1mm square! Be sure to get your maximum-strength optical visors out!

Detail on the parts is excellent and this is a light year ahead of the Kinetic kit parts and galaxies away from the comfy armchairs of earlier kits.

This latest sheet from Euro Decals is one that should please a lot of modelers. It contains nine different markings options for Spitfires that operated over Malta. The majority of them are Spitfire Vc with a few Vband a Mk.IX thrown in the mix. Each of the options provides an interesting camouflage scheme with many of them being quite non-standard with others more appropriate for Seafires. All of the Mk.V options have a sand filter so you’ll have to choose a kit that includes this feature.

Option one is coded SN*A and was with 243 Squadron in 1942. It is dark Mediterranean blue on the upper surface with azure blue on the underside and an identification blue spinner.

Next is 3*M as seen on the USS Wasp during 1942. This one is in deck blue and intermediat blue over azure blue. Note that this aircraft has four cannon.

GL*T is with 185 Squadron and painted deep sky and dark slate grey over sky blue.

Here is a really slick idea for all types of model builders- a sanding stick with four different grits on one stick. From CRM Hobbies in Missouri comes a set of four sanding sticks with a stick having 600, 320, 240 and 150 grit on every stick. No digging around looking for a new stick as you polish up a seam, just flip it to the right one you need. As an added bonus, they are water proof. You can take them under a running sink while sanding or dip them in water and the grit stays in place. They are cushioned so they can go around corners too.

I was recently built the X-Plus Ultraman kit and used these to eliminate seams and polish and they worked great. I also used them in running water and also, no loss of grit and it polished up the seams well. They cleaned right up with water and a toothbrush like new.

And as an added bonus, shipping free for US customers.

This first release by ClearProp is an early F-86A-5 in the airplane's pre-Korean War configuration. Clear Prop has shown photos of the future releases which will be a pretty thorough coverage of the Early A & E models of the F-86 with the leading edge slats. The parts trees of the current release have two nose cones - one for the F-86A, and one that is scribed for the ranging radar positioned in the nose of the F-86E, which indicates a future E release! Clear Prop has declared their commitment to covering the early North American F-86 Sabre. The ‘Korean War’ F-86A-5 will be released by Christmas 2024, with an F-86E to follow in 2025, according to sources. The kit has delicate engraved surface detail, and the wing is correct for the slatted version since there is no “ledge” for the slats if retracted, like every Bf-109 kit or A-4 Skyhawk kit has.

The M1097A2, Heavy HMMWV with an increased payload capacity, will replace the M1037, M1042, M1097 and M1097A1 heavy shelter variants. It is designed to carry heavy electronic systems, weapons platforms, and can be configured to act as a command post; the M1097A2 may also be configured as a troop carrier.

This is ICM’s first HMMWV, and the second kit available in 1/35 scale (Italeri No, 6484 was introduced in 2018). This versatile and rugged vehicle is in service with the US military, NATO forces and other militaries around the world. The two marking options in this kit include: