The Kit

The Eliminator was built for the rock band ZZ Top and has been featured in many of the band’s videos. It’s a sleek hot rod made from a ’33 Ford Coupe in bright red with the ZZ Top logo on the side. The Revell kit of this car is faithful to the original with decals for the side logos and logos even molded into the valve covers and air cleaner on the engine, which is nicely detailed and with the addition of an ignition system would display very well with those logos highlighted in red. The interior consists of a seat, nicely detailed dash and steering column with the floor pedals molded into the floor pan part. Details of the upholstery are given in decals, which adds a nice touch. There are 70 parts in total molded in red, clear and chromed and four nicely detailed rubber tires. A younger modeler could build this kit without paint as it is molded in the prototype’s color with the chrome accents, but the advanced modeler will want to add a higher gloss finish.

Introduction

This is part 1 of the review of MiniArt’s T-55 Mod. 1963 Interior Kit. Part 2 will complete the assembly of the turret, tracks, fenders, and the remainder of the kit.

This kit is the first of MiniArt’s T-55 variants and follows their earlier series of T-44/54 Russian tank kits. Following their previous versions, this kit is first released with full interior detailing. MiniArt has also announced a soon to be released IDF Tiran version of the T-55, and a T-55A Late Mod. 1965.

Sealing the paint before decals and weathering a model is an important step in preventing damage the base coat. Ammo by Mig Jimenez has released a line of acrylic varnishes (finishes) that are easy to use and are nontoxic. Here is the description from their catalog:

The AN/ALQ-184 is an electronic countermeasure pod carried by a variety of military aircraft and commonly seen on the F-16 and A-10. The ECM pods function is to jam and deceive the enemy radar.

Eduard is known for a wide variety of high quality resin, photo etch and full kits. The AN/ALQ-184

Is part of their “Brassin” line which is a multi-media product that includes resin, photo etch and appropriate decals. This product is cast in gray resin and bubble free with a small pour block that you can clearly define where the part is and what resin needs to be cut away. There are two photoetch frets, however only one is needed. Detail is basic, but they do not require much detail. The decals are nice, however some of the sections are joined with lengthy clear carrier film. Most modelers will simply cut that part away so it is not an issue.

This book is number 124 in the series and covers Short Stirling units in WWII. The Stirling was the first of the RAF’s 4 engine heavy bombers of WWII. The Stirling was a big, some would say ugly aircraft. The cockpit sat almost 23 feet above the ground. Designed to fill a 1936 request it was always hampered by having to meet the requirement that it fit within current hangers. The result was a 99 foot wingspan that affected the design’s service ceiling and load carrying capacity. The former would lead to large losses from enemy flak. Still the Stirling served the RAF as a bomber from 1940 until the last mission as a frontline bomber for the Sterling in September 1944. But this was not the end of its service. The Stirling also served as a glider tug, paratroop carrier and freighter.