Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
January 14, 2018
Company
Academy Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$37.00

Over the years there have been quite a few F-15E Strike Eagle kits released by several different kit manufacturers in 1/72 scale. However most of these kits were adaptations of the manufacturer’s F-15B or D kits with some extra parts to address some of the differences between the B/D and the E airframes. Academy’s recent release is a not an adaptation of another two-seat F-15 kit, but instead was designed from the outset to be a Strike Eagle.

Book Author(s)
Ken Ford
Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
January 14, 2018
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$24.00

Ken Ford is the author of over 30 books on various aspects of World War II, including 3 publications covering Operation Market-Garden. The subject of this review is the 3rd and final book covering an extremely ambitious and risky plan, Operation Market-Garden.

The first publication, “Operation Market-Garden 1944 (1)” was the work of Steve Zagola and focused on the US Paratroopers of the 82 and 101 Airborne Divisions.

The 2nd book in this series was written by Ken Ford, and was illustrated by Graham Turner. Graham Turner’s illustration work is well known, having covered a wide variety of subjects for Osprey. Turner’s artwork adds significantly to the quality of the book, assisting the reader in visualizing the lay of the land, and the men and equipment of Operation Market-Garden. This book focused on the British 1st Airborne Division and the Polish 1st Airborne Brigade.

Review Author
Paul R. Brown
Published on
January 14, 2018
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.95

This set is designed to fit Revell’s series of 1/72 Me 262 kits. The kit was originally released back in 1997 and has been re-released periodically since then. I installed the set on the Me 262 A-1a/U3 photo reconnaissance variant of the kit.

The set consists of 6 parts, a nose gear strut with retraction strut, two main gear legs, two main gear retraction struts and a metal nose gear bay. The castings are nicely done, however, as the kit parts are showing their age – mold seams, etc. – these defects are repeated on the cast parts and you will need to take some time scraping off the mold seams. I used a brass wire wheel in my battery operated Dremel tool at slow speed to polish up the struts and finish removing the mold seams.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
January 10, 2018
Company
Hasegawa
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$49.99

The Sauber Mercedes C9 made quite a splash in 1989, winning the World Sports Car Prototype Championship with both the #61 and #62 racers. In this curbside kit you have the option of building either vehicle with the decals provided.

Although this is a simple model it is rated a skill level three kit for modelers aged 14 and over by the manufacturer due to the large decals involved in finishing. It has 79 pieces molded in gray, clear and black styrene. The decals are very nice with a great register and minimal carrier film. There are no drivetrain parts and the underside is a plain floorpan with a few molded in details. When finished the dimensions are approximately: Length: 8”, Width: 3”, Height: 2.”

Review Author
Gregory Hansel
Published on
February 3, 2020
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$22.95

Introduction

I remember when the Mazda Miata was introduced. I actually went to the dealership to check them out and I was a big fan of them. The Miata blended the style of a 60's British sports car with the reliability of a modern Japanese import. The kit was first introduced in 1993, molded in red, and this is the first reissue of it, so it had not been available for nearly 25 years!

Review Author
Robert Head
Published on
January 8, 2018
Company
Twobobs Aviation Graphics
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$24.00

About the Company

Two Bobs is a limited run/ Custom Decal company based out of Fort Worth, Texas and is owned and operated by Mr. Bob Sanchez. Mr. Sanchez is a former enlisted Air Force engineer and has been very active in the modeling community almost all of his life. Two-Bob decals usually sell out very well and once their limited run subjects sell out they are not available for reprint. Get them while they are available or be prepared to pay the eBay supply vs Demand Price.

What’s on the Sheet?

The first aftermarket sheet ever released for the F-16C/D Thunderbirds! The USAF is celebrating its 70th Anniversary in 2017 and these markings are current for this year’s airshow season.

One full set of Thunderbird markings are included with unique aircrew and maintenance markings for each individual jet. A bonus to the 2017 markings are the names that were carried during Buzz Aldrin's flight at the Homestead Airshow.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
January 7, 2018
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$49.95

The Bf-109G-4 was very similar to the G-2. Bigger tires along with the corresponding wing bulges and a bigger tail wheel were the only external differences. The service length of the G-4 was short as it was quickly replaced by the G-6 for its increased armament. The G-4 was quickly used by the photo recon units of the Luftwaffe and is often associated with them. There were a couple of variants of the G-4 in the photo recon role. I wanted to have a Bf-109G-4/R3 which could have had the photo recon window under the fuselage, oil deflectors aft of the engine and two 300 liter drop tanks mounted to the wings.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
January 7, 2018
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.95

If there is one thing I hate about modeling aircraft it is masking canopies. To me it is just a chore. I can mask an entire model multiple times but something as mundane as a canopy is a pain and time consuming. That is why I really enjoy Eduard’s canopy masks.

Printed on Kabuki tape, similar to Tamiya tape, these masks are precisely cut for the Eduard Bf-109G-4 kit. They should fit the G-2/5/6 as well. The thing about these masks that is different from other masks is that the aft canopy has internal framework. Eduard gives you both the interior and exterior framework for the aft canopy. The other canopy parts are just the outside. The single page of instructions shows you which masks goes where.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
January 7, 2018
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$24.95

This set is designed for the Kitty Hawk UH-1D. While not marketed as an interior set because there are other parts in here. There are two frets included. One is a pre-painted one that is also available in the ZOOM set and the other is brass.

The first fret is a simple little pre-painted fret which is a perfect accessory for the Kitty Hawk UH-1D. One of the things about the Kitty Hawk kit is that it has an instrument panel with extra gauges that were added after Vietnam. It also is painted flat black while Vietnam era aircraft had light grey interiors.

This fret features some of the exquisite detail that is common for the Eduard pre-painted frets. There is simply no way that you can paint this good. The instrument panel is a perfect example of the type and markings used in Vietnam. There is also detail on the overhead and lower console. These will look impressive when installed in the cockpit.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
January 7, 2018
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$9.95

Kitty Hawk UH-1D comes with photo etch seatbelts, but they are not as accurate as they should be for a Huey. This set is a pre-painted STEEL set. That means that it is able to be bent a little bit more than the previous sets. I’ve enjoyed using the STEEL seatbelts on other builds.

This set is very complete. It contains EVERY seatbelt and shoulder harness for the UH-1D/H. Unlike the Kitty Hawk seatbelts the front seat belts and shoulder harness are perfect for the Huey. The colors are great. The leather end pieces are included which they aren’t on the Kitty Hawk parts. Also included in this set are the parts for the rear facing seats and the cabin area. Tiedowns are included for the front seat belts and even the cover for the inertial reel.