The controls on the F-16 have a variety of switches and buttons on the control sticks. Plastic can only replicate this so far, plus on the kit parts there are mold lines. Quickboost has cleaned this up and added some really crisp detail.

Molded in light grey resin, you get four control sticks that are perfectly cast. Adding them will be simple enough, as there is a casting stub on the base. Really, all these little gems require is a good painting.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Quickboost and IPMS/USA for the review copy.

Kagero’s limited edition (Red Series) 1/32 scale Pacific P-51D/F-6D Mustang decals is welcome news for large-scale Mustang fans. This is part #1 of what I assume will be a continuing series of beautiful sheets offered by them. Evidently, this sheet is sized to fit the Tamiya kit, but it’s not mentioned in the documents. The decals were printed by Cartograf and are crystal clear and look outstanding. Because of my slow progress building my own Mustang, I didn’t try to apply them. I didn’t think applying decals on bare plastic would really be very effective, although it did seem to work when I was 6. Anyway, the 8 page color documents are first rate. The artwork shows large, color profiles of both sides of the fuselage and the top and bottom of the wings. Also included is a brief history of each aircraft, accompanied by sketches of the pilots.

Kagero’s Top Drawing books offer the modeler a good reference for rivet patterns for those so inclined. Also, they are great references for those trying to accurize a kit.

This book contains six view drawings, top and bottom plan views, left and right side profiles, and front and rear views of all four aircraft types, A-D versions in 1/72nd and 1/48th. The 1/32nd scale drawings are actually on a separate foldout and only include the B-1 and D models. There are also some detail drawings of internal items, such as seats and instrument panels included. Cross section drawings are provided for the scratchbuilder as well. There is also a small drawing that shows the external differences.

If it was just drawings and riveting diagrams, then it wouldn’t be from Kagero. Besides these, there are five color profiles of different models. They are first rate drawings.

The Eduard Zoom sets are simple and very effective. The detail on these parts is quite phenomenal.

This set contains a single fret of self-adhesive pre-painted photo etch. Some people question whether using these pre-painted pieces is actually modeling. My opinion is I don’t care. They can replicate detail that I can’t even begin to obtain and it saves me time. So it looks good and takes next to nothing to install. I’ll be using them as long as they make them. The gun sight reflectors are included on a clear acetate sheet.

Besides the instrument panels, this set includes seatbelts, rudder pedals, map case, oxygen cover, and various switches. All this detail will be easy enough to add and will enhance the look of your cockpit with the minimal amount of work.

Simple, effective and realistic looking, what more do you want in a detail set? I love these sets.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Eduard and IPMS/USA for the review copy.

Lifelike Decals always offers some unique decal options and this sheet is typical Lifelike quality. Designed for the Tamiya P-51D and the Trumpeter/Revell P-51B, these decals offer some very unique looking machines.

The instructions are on three sheets, two single-sided A4 sheets and one half-page. The single-sided sheets include the profiles and plan views, as well as the historical and research data. The smaller half-page sheet contains the stencil placement.

Lifelike Decals has used Cartograf out of Italy to print their decals. Cartograf printing is perfect, with even the smallest detail being picked out. The decals are thin, in perfect register, and with good color saturation. They also respond to setting solutions and conform to compound curves. There are three sheets of decals. The first one has all the markings, while the little sheet has the nose art. The other sheet contains the national markings and stencils.