High Velocity Aerial Rockets, or HVAR, were used by the US between 1944 and 1955. This six-foot long rocket was 5 inches in diameter and carried a 45lb HE warhead. Unguided, it could be fitted to almost any aircraft with hard points and was used extensively on most late war fighters, patrol, and attack aircraft, and into the Korean war on jets like the F-86 and F-84. Retired in 1955, it became the precursor to the modern Zuni and other unguided ground attack rockets.

For most modelers, we all will spend lots of time and energy detailing the aircraft to the max, yet when we get to the ordnance, we are left wanting by the kit-supplied items. HVARs tend to fall into this category, ranging from bare likeness with fins to better looking but still not up to the same standard as the rest of the model.

Eduard’s self-adhesive photoetch set for AFV Club’s F-5F Tiger II is yet another work of art in a long line of exquisite detail sets from the Czech manufacturer of model kits and accessories.

Two PE frets – one color with self-adhesive on some parts, and the other in bare metal – provide the modeler with over a hundred parts to make the already-solid AFV kit really “pop.”

As with all of Eduard’s comprehensive “S.A.” sets, the cockpit is the focal point. Instrument panel, side consoles, rudder pedal, ejection seat, and canopy rails and frames are superbly recreated in quarter scale, and fit the kit like a proverbial glove. The pre-painted instrument panels, console surfaces, and harnesses immediately draw the eye and provide a clear “wow” factor. Although the AFV kit has strong cockpit detail to begin with, the Eduard enhancement really makes it a centerpiece of the model.

Anyone who’s seen or even heard about the new Tamiya Yamato knows that this is one of the largest, most complex model kits yet to hit the hobby store shelves. So it almost goes without saying that this new super detail set from Lion Roar would be equally large and complex. Using the bulk of this set, or even a portion of it, is not for the faint of heart.

Plus Model has made a living providing us with little odds and ends of resin to liven up our modeling projects, and this is just such an item. From their Easy Line, the six pieces in the poly bag require minimum work. Molded in gray resin are a table top, 4 legs, and a 3-legged stool. The table is like a kitchen table, with drawers for utensils. It would seem a better choice for a seat would be kitchen chairs, but these are available as a separate kit.

The stool in my sample had all three legs bent over, like someone had taken the stool out of the mold and popped it right in the bag. Looked like a spider that had been stepped on. This would be my first challenge, and after sawing off the resin plug from the stool top, I held the stool under some hot water from the tap. Like a miracle, the legs softened and they straightened out.

The table legs were not a tight fit, so I used 5-minute epoxy. This gave some wiggle room to make sure all legs were aligned.

I was recently given the new 1/48 Kitty Hawk F-94C Starfire to review. I think this is a very nice kit, especially considering that it is the first release by this company. When looking at the parts I was impressed by the detail of the landing gear.

No sooner had this kit hit the market, when Scale Aircraft Conversions released a metal landing gear that not only adds weight to the nose of the aircraft but also corrects a minor error in the kit landing gear.

The kit landing gear, while very nice, represents the legs at full compression. This is not correct. SAC has chosen to represent them as the real aircraft sits, which will alter the stance of the kit. The oleos are not fully compressed and look just right.

I have consulted some photos I have of the F-94C as seen at the Pima Air Museum in Tucson and the one at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio, and they both have the oleos extended slightly but not fully. The SAC L/G legs are spot on.