What's New

Review Author
Chris Gibson
Published on
Company
Yahu Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$14.99

Anything that makes a model look better than a basic build is OK with me, whether it is resin, photo-etch, masks, or decals. Enter YAHU 3D instrument panels, these aftermarket instrument panels are the best thing since sliced bread.

I have a 1/32 HKM A-20G in my stash and when I saw the YAHU instrument panel for this model I snatched it up. The initial look at the package, I thought, wow these look better than I expected. The replacement panel comes with 3D photo-etch for the instrument panel and other subpanels in the cockpit. The instructions are not very detailed about where some of the other pieces go.

Review Author
Chris Gibson
Published on
Company
Yahu Models
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$14.99

Quite frequently the aftermarket comes out with some great products, photo-etch, resin, masks or decals, and the Yahu models 3D instrument panels are definitely one of them.

I have a 1/32 Infinity Models SB2C-4 in my stash and when I saw this available I was able to get it.

The initial look at the package I thought, wow these look better than I expected.

The replacement panel comes with 3D photo-etch for the instrument panel and other sub panels in the cockpit. The instructions are not very detailed about where some of the other pieces go.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1:25
MSRP
$27.99

This review covers the 2022 Corvette Stingray Z51 Coupe. It’s a 1:25 scale, skill level 4 kit, #14556.

Carrera/Revell has finally released models of the C8 Corvette that we’ve all been waiting for. Following on the heels of their recent “New Era” Mustang models, this kit, featuring the new Z51 variant, was worth the wait. Revell’s new offerings are not only state of the art - they’re affordable as well.

The level of detail is stunning and accurate, and the build is straight-forward. There’s almost zero flash on this kit. The “glass” is thin and crystal clear. The tires have excellent tread including a posable front end. Decals fill most of the details that are too small to paint and that includes two stripe colors for the exterior and a bevy of details for the interior appointments.

Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$63.00

From my new best friends at Wikipedia

The Ford Model A(also colloquially called the A-Model Ford or the A, and A-bone among hot rodders and customizers) is the Ford Motor Company's second market success, replacing the venerable Model T which had been produced for eighteen years. It was first produced on October 20, 1927, but was not introduced until December 2. This new Model A (a previous model had used the name in 1903–04) was designated a 1928 model and was available in four standard colors.

By February 4, 1929, one million Model As had been sold, and by July 24, two million. The range of body styles ran from the Tudor at US $500 (in gray, green, or black) ($8,872 in 2023 dollars) to the town car with a dual cowl at US $1,200 ($21,293 in 2023 dollars). In March 1930, Model A sales hit three million, and there were nine body styles available. [Authors note: ICM Holding also has an offering of the Model A with soft top (#24050).]

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
KP Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.05

When the Nieuport 11 arrived at the front in 1916, it signaled the end of the Fokker Eindecker’s dominance. This was mainly due to the overwhelming numbers of Ni 11 produced. The Italians built these aircraft under license and a number of Italian pilots became aces in them. This boxing provides decals for three; Francesco Baracca (34 victories), Fulco Ruffo di Calabria (20 victories), and Alvaro Leonardi (8 victories).

The kit is packaged in an end-open box with artwork depicting Leonardi’s Nieuport. A color finishing guide on the back of the box gives paint color references and decal placement. The kit parts are molded in gray plastic with a single sheet instruction guide and a small decal sheet. Surface details are a bit heavy for the scale, especially the fabric effect on the flying surfaces. Two machine gun options are also included.

Book Author(s)
Richard A. Franks
Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Valiant Wings Publishing
MSRP
$36.00

I’ve always been a fan of the early Allison powered Mustangs so it’s nice to see publishers filling the gap for historians and modelers alike. This publication goes even farther by including the merlin powered B and C models. This is a second edition of a book first printed in 2013. It is broken down into three sections, Airframe, Miniatures and Appendices.

Book Author(s)
Mat Irvine
Review Author
Andy Taylor
Published on
Company
Crecy Publishing, Ltd.
MSRP
$34.95

This is a good introduction book to the world of dioramas by author Mat Irvine. His English roots are evident throughout this amazing book, and it is great to see his perspective across multiple genres of modelling, and not just fixated on one sub-genre. While some want dioramas for a specific style, this book does a great job of covering dioramas from basic to movie sets and museum displays. I also appreciate the author’s Dedication page to Andrew Yanchus before the table of contents. Andy worked for Aurora, a “colorist” for Marvel Comics, and as an advisor for the newly formed Atlantis Model Company. He was a friend of author Mat Irvine for almost 50 years and was a “highly knowledgeable historian on all matters to do with model-making, and I still often think, when tackling a particular problem: ‘Ah, Andy would have known.’” It is in this vein that the book is written.

Mat Irvine’s introduction starts with,

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Yahu Models
Scale
1:48
MSRP
$8.99

As I get older, I’m appreciating things that make model building easier on the eyes. Instrument panels are a real challenge even when they come with a decal or in the case of the ICM O-2 kit, separate decals for each instrument on the panel.

Thankfully, Yahu models offer this set to upgrade a highly visible area of the kit. This set is comprised of two-color photo-etch parts covering the instrument panel/sub-panel and fuse panel for the left fuselage half.

Unlike some color photo-etch panels with dots on a circle, these look like actual instruments. They are built up in layers that allow the instruments to slightly recess and have a semi-gloss sheen for a glass-like finish over the dials.

Installation is easy. Remove any raised details from the kit parts-except the elevator trim wheel on the main panel-first. The panel part is cut into three sections since the lower panels are on a different plane than the top.

Review Author
David Hochheimer
Published on
Company
ICM
MSRP
$43.49

ICM Holding has put out a new model of their Type 320 (W142). This rendition is a Cabriolet B, a pre-war period German passenger car.

The box art for the kit is first-rate and lends itself well to the actual kit. The box is compact and will fit well in any stash until you decide to build it. Although the box is small, no damage was noted when breaking out the materials from the box.

An overview of the sprues once removed from their respective plastic covers reveals crisp moldings with no short shots, and minor mold lines on the smaller parts such as the door handles and window hand cranks. Some of the sprue connecting points are at points where caution is needed when removing the part so as to not damage the part or result in clean-up issues. Although the box art depicts the car with chrome bumpers and other small parts, be aware that none of the sprues are chrome plated.