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Review Author
Damon Blair
Published on
Company
Platz
Scale
1/144
MSRP
$24.50

Rescue Wings is a Japanese anime cartoon known for its realistic portrayal of the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s (JASDF) Air Rescue Wing, in particular the Komatsu Rescue Squadron. The basic plot involves a helicopter pilot’s (2nd Lieutenant Uchida Kazuhiro) assignment to the JASDF Komatsu Air Base. This initial series ran for 12 episodes (an additional episode added to the DVD release) and was followed by two manga series and a live-action film. They were created with the full cooperation of the Air Rescue Wing.

U-125A

This fixed wing aircraft is based on the British Aerospace’s twin-engine Bae 125-800 private jet. These aircraft are modified for the search-and-rescue with large observation windows, a marker flare ejection system, a droppable liferaft, and an emergency equipment dropping system.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
Hauler
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$19.00

Hauler-Brengun is well known as a supplier of high-quality aftermarket detail parts for aircraft, as well as other subjects. Many of these aftermarket items are resin, P.E., or a combination of the two mediums. In this “inbox” review, we will look at the quality of the parts, decals, and P.E. parts as well as the packaging and kit instructions.

Marketed under the “Brengun” label, this review looks at the Brengun BRL32037 AGM-114 Hellfire Missile. There are 8 Hellfires in this product including PE parts and decals for those eight missiles. The missiles are packaged in a small zip-lock baggie, as is the single sheet of P.E. parts. The kit instructions, printed on a small sheet of paper, and the decals are boxed underneath the missile parts. The sturdy cardboard box is about 3 inches by 3 inches and about ¾ inch deep.

Review Author
Damon Blair
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$16.50

The Lockheed C-130 is a versatile aircraft. In production since 1954, the C-130J is the latest in a long line of models. The landing gear was designed for rough field operations, with large, low pressure main landing gear tires and a pair of low-pressure nose wheel tires. The original brake design was for a single disk (like in a modern car) and has been upgraded to a multi-disk unit. The brakes look the same once mounted onto the gear’s axle.

The kit comes with 10 pieces molded in grey resin, and is meant for the 1/48 Testors/Italeri C-130 kit. There are many fine details with the castings. A nice touch is the “Goodyear” emblems and the valve stems and groove lines molded into the tires to represent the spaces between the treads. The only disappointment I found was with the brakes – I wish the back of the main landing gear tires was “hollow” so that the brake details would sit inside, just like on the real aircraft.

Review Author
Ben Morton
Published on
Company
Brengun
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$24.00

Attack Squadron from Poland had been producing some lovely resin kits and aftermarket items. Due to circumstances and the decision by their parent company (Arma Hobby) to get out of the resin business, their products started disappearing from the market place. Enter Brengun/Hauler and their check book. It would seem that Brengun/Hauler have purchased most, if not all, of Attack Squadron's molds and have been re-issuing those items ever sense.

One of these re-issued after-market offerings is a set of 1:48 scale resin replacement engine nacelles for Italeri's C-130 model. Theses replacement bits will allow you to build a Roll Royce engined C-130 J. Each nacelle comes as a outer shell with a separate front, spinner, and a small resin plug with two antennas and an exhaust deflector. These small bits have a pouring channel/bubble trap still attached so check your references and make sure you don't remove the wrong thing.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
Plusmodel
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$8.57

PlusModel was established in 1990 in the Czech Republic. Their product range is primarily made up of 1/35th scale resin kits, conversion sets, and accessories which are vacuum cast from polyurethane resin.

A new addition to their line is a set of resin wheels for the 1/72 Williams Brothers C-46 Commando kit. Each wheel is individually cast along with an outside hub cover, and a tail wheel, on casting blocks. The tires are appropriately flattened, but the tail wheel is independent of the support assembly. Some minor surgery of those kit parts will be necessary.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
Plusmodel
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$7.57

PlusModel was established in 1990 in the Czech Republic. Their product range is primarily made up of 1/35th scale resin kits, conversion sets, and accessories which are vacuum cast from polyurethane resin.

A new addition to their line is a set of resin props for the classic 1/72 Williams Brothers C-46 Commando kit. Each prop is a six-piece assembly of four individual blades, prop boss and hub cover which, when assembled, attach to the engine prop post.

Some years ago I spent many hours sanding down and re-scribing my classic C-46, assembling and painting to represent a Marine R5C-1. The starboard prop assembly fell victim to a nocturnal feline attach somewhere over the years, and I was looking to order a replacement set of B-26 four-bladed props, which were the closest thing I could find. About the time I had some time for the switch, this set from Plus Model Aero Line came available for review.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Fightertown Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$25.00

Ok to start off, WOW! Now that I got that out of the way Fightertown Decals always produces great sheets with multiple marking options. This one is one of the best yet. This was previously released but this set has been adjusted to fit the Tamiya kit, as well as, any other F-14/F-18 kit, and this sheet even includes some new aircraft.

‘Top Gun’- the movie, has produced more dreams in the minds of little kids of my generation than any propaganda movie ever. I know I was in love with the high speed, low level flying and the good story. Okay so it wasn’t believable, but it was a good story. Anyhow the aircraft, especially the F-14, was the actual star of the movie. With the new Top Gun 2 being made currently the interest is sure to grow again, even if Maverick will be flying an F/A-18.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Fightertown Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$25.00

Navy jets can be boring in their all grey color schemes, however, that is not always the case. The CAG birds tend to get the full color treatment, hence this sheet and the title of Showboats. These aircraft sported all kinds of markings at different times in their lifecycle.

With the release of the Tamiya, and now the AMK F-14 Tomcat kits, there is a need for some colorful markings for them. Fightertown Decals has the answer for those markings.

Fightertown Decals has produced decals for 14 different aircraft. Well that isn’t quite true. They provide markings for eight aircraft at different timeframes to show 14 different marking options. Fightertown produces some great looking Tomcat decals. This sheet is no different.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
Company
Plusmodel
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$11.00

Plusmodel is located in the Czech Republic and when you visit the company website you are given the option of an English language version. The links above go to that option.

To get some idea as to what products are offered by plusmodel, select the Catalogue option on the home page. The Catalogue lists hundreds of items that can be used as stand-alone models or items, such as the Ladder being reviewed, to enhance a model. My modeling experience with plusmodel products includes only a dozen or so of the aftermarket-type items, and I have been pleased with each of those items.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
UMM-USA
MSRP
$5.95

UMM USA has come to modelers rescue with another excellent tool, this time, the Micro Template Scriber. As the name describes, this tool is used to scribe using templates to replicate specific shapes being added to a model or to fix what was lost sanding and filling. Modelers have used many things in the past to do this same task- needles, line engravers, etc., and each has their drawbacks. UMM has produced a Template Scriber designed to fix these problems. The engraving tip is hardened tool steel to make sure the edge stays crisp. It is very fine and will glide around the interior of the template. Very importantly, the handle is ergonomically designed and has a grip to avoid slipping and allow even pressure to keep lines consistent.