Thanks first to Stevens International for providing this kit. Once again, we are blessed with excellent review opportunities through their gracious provision!
I am an occasional armor modeler. Having built BMP 1 and 2 versions from DML many years ago, I was interested in what Trumpeter have provided. Let's move on to the build and see…
Dragon has countered Academy’s recent M7 release with their own excellent release of a mid-production Priest with a combination of the early suspension and additional armor. Coming in the usually sized Dragon box, this kit only clocks in with 260 parts as there are no individual track links or many left-over parts.
Those of you used to many of Dragon’s German subject that fatten the spares box will be disappointed with only about 10 left over parts! An entire sprue utilizes common parts from the previously released 105mm gun. The moldings are crisp and flash free with fine detail. The DS tracks are also well detailed and really pop when painted and weathered. I really won’t have much to say about assembly except that it was straightforward with excellent fit of the parts.
I chose to replace the prominent weld beads with styrene rod to replace the weld details that I lost due to some ham handed sanding.
Revell has been kind to auto modelers in re-releasing past Monogram car kits that have been out of production. This time the reissue is of the ’48 Ford Woody with Monogram’s name on the box top and on the instruction sheet. With 127 parts molded in white plastic, clear plastic and a sprue of chromed parts you can only assembly a stock Woody. You’ll use all the parts with none left over, except for a few decals.
Different modeling books tend to have a “tools round-up” in their introduction chapter. This book includes which probably is the more important tool: “The modelers’ eye”. What is meant here is that you have to study the subject, look at it several times, noticing details each time you look at the subject in order to take notes and attempt to recreate and model whatever you “see” when you are looking at pictures or the real thing you are planning to model.
The following chapter briefly covers the basic techniques of model weathering and then the book dives into very well photographed and highly detailed construction of 11 models, ranging from 1/32nd to 1/72ndscale. Markings range from USAF, to Chilenean and Israeli Air Forces.
This is not an extravagant sheet since it replicates the spare tactical schemes of the HAF; which means that the flashes of color are predominantly the roundels and tail band. TwoBobs gives you the option to build two complete models of the seven aircraft schemes provided. The stencils include the newer gray markings and the older orange-yellow markings. The decals are printed by Microscale and are crisp and in register. Aircraft covered:
The Panzerkampfwagen III was one of the workhorses of the German army during World War II. The development order was issued in 1935 for a full-tracked vehicle in the 15 ton class. The Ausf. A model was manufactured in 1937 and was armed with a 3.7 cm main gun. Ten of these vehicles were produced but were withdrawn from service in 1940 due to insufficient armor and poor suspension. Several other variants were manufactured in subsequent years with armament increased to include 5.0 cm and ultimately 7.5 cm main guns. There was also a model equipped with a flame thrower. The Panzerkampfwagen III saw service on all fronts during the war, but the improvements in armament and armor never quite matching its opponents.
Let me begin this review as I did a previous one by stating that if you like 1/72 scale armor, you are going to love this kit, as Dragon has once again set the standard for others to follow. Included in this kit is not only a welded hull 251 Ausf.C half-track, but also a very well molded 3.7cm PaK 35/36 gun. The level of detail in the kit is right on par with their 1/35 scale kits, but will take up much less space on a shelf.
The German Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf.C was a personnel carrier developed in the mid-1930’s to support the quick delivery of troops and their equipment into battle. Early vehicles sported a riveted hull, which, were later welded to ease construction, as depicted in this kit. Powered by a Maybach 4 liter, six-cylinder engine, the 17,000-pound vehicle could move at speeds of up to 32.5 mph for as far as 186 miles. This particular variant carried two MG-34 machine guns mounted forward and aft for offensive and defensive armament.
Ok, the boys from Eduard have another offering for this famous French kite. In this newest boxing we find 78 plastic parts; a photoetch fret; an express mask, and a beautiful set of decals. These cover the six options which include French, RFC and Italian services. I will omit a history lesson and go on to the build.
The construction is straightforward; my only gripe is that part A25 is too long and the instruction sheet seems vague in regards to it. Right or wrong, I just cut off the nub it left and sanded the bottom side flush. Everything else was smooth sailing adding the photoetch bits along the way. I added the decals early on in the build simply for the ease of doing them while the areas were still accessible.
I really enjoy the Eduard kits and consider them to be outstanding in fit and detail. I finished the build completely out of box without adding any embellishments for the review.
The F-8 Crusader has always been one of my favorite aircraft. I personally tend to model in 1/48 scale, however when the opportunity came up to review Aires 1/32 detail set for the Trumpeter F-8E/H, I could not resist. The set showed up, and I found an F-8 kit with a few other goodies shortly after, so I was all set.
Aires has always been a leader in the realm of aftermarket resin sets. I am used to their 1/48 line and the level of detail found on those, but was blown away with their treatment in 1/32. First, the set is large, and comes in a sturdy cardboard box with lid and clear picture of the contents. Opening the box you are greeted with several bags of large resin parts, a small photo-etch fret, and instructions.
The main areas covered by this set are:
This is a very nice slick covered magazine, but if you want to read it, you better know Japanese. It contains a lot of visual information for the modeler. All the pictures are clear and high resolution, even the multitude of advertisements. This issue deals mainly with aircraft with some auto, armor and ship articles.
This edition’s articles are:
