What's New

Review Author
John Lyons
Published on
Company
Werners Wings
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$25.00

Werner's Wings has released a 5-piece resin set to transform the 1/35 Academy AH-1W NTS into the latest version flying in Afghanistan with turned exhausts to provide a lower heat signature. The parts look very clean and the edges are nicely formed with crisp edges.

The set includes the exhaust housing and outlets, 2 inserts for inside the exhaust outlets, the inner engine bulkhead, and a cover for the tail rotor shaft.

It also comes with a detailed instruction sheet showing you how to install the parts.

It requires that you cut part of old exhaust attached to the fuselage and replace it with the resin parts. Also warns about cutting the area around the driveshaft cover, recommends that you cut the exhaust area first then measure area for the driveshaft cover.

Because the parts have some weight to them you will have to drill out some of the resin from the front of the exhaust. This will help balance the aircraft so it sits correctly.

Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
SuperScale International
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$12.00

The B-17 is one of my all-time favorite aircraft and with the new Revell kit out in 1/72nd scale I was very excited to get this sheet of decals to give me some additional options when I acquire the kit.

I have used SSI decals before and they have always performed well for me. This sheet is printed in perfect registration and gives full markings for two B-17Gs including stencils and stars and bars for both aircraft. The only flaw I can see is the nose art on both planes lacks detail.

The aircraft depicted are:

Book Author(s)
Gordon Wiliamson
Review Author
Phil Peterson
Published on
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$17.95

While I have looked through a few of the "Duel" series in the book store, this is the first one I have actually read. Looks like it won't be the last one.

The book is in the typical Osprey size but there are 80 pages in it. One thing I like about this series is besides some of the technical description of the combatants, it also gives you over 30 pages of combat stories and details which definitely make you want to pull out the old Airfix Vosper MTB and/or the Revell E-Boat and start building.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Alpha Precision Abrasives Inc.
MSRP
$6.99

Alpha Precision Abrasives is a manufacturer of industrial abrasives. It also has selection of abrasive tools for the hobbyist. Master Detail is packaging a selection of Alpha Precision Abrasives products into an introductory package. The package includes

  • 1/8-inch Sanding Files (100/180; 120/240 and 240/320 grit)
  • 3 Plastic Sanding Needles (150, 240 and 320 grit)
  • Micro Finish Cloth Abrasive Sheet (3200, 3600, 4000, 6000, 8000 and 12,000)
  • Abrasive Cleaning Disk

The sanding files are really nice. They bend enough as to follow curved parts without damaging or deforming them, while still have enough ‘hardness’ as to get the sanding job done. You can clean them and re-use them several times (see below). They are color coded in each side for a different grid, however the 100/180 are both white, making difficult to know which grit is the one being used.

Review Author
Mike Hinderliter
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$3.25

Editor: this part also comes in other scales. Check Master Model website.

This is the first time that I’ve used one of the turned brass after market pieces from Master Model. The piece that I’m reviewing is the NATO standard Refueling Probe. As their instructions state “NATO Standard refueling probe is the same in every NATO aircraft with air-to-air refueling system, but fitting is different for every aircraft”. The best part is that after that statement they provide 4 black and white photos showing how it should look.

Well I started looking through the stash for some kits that have an exposed refueling probe and I was starting to get a little disappointed at how many don’t have the option for the refueling probe out. Then I started looking for the aircraft that have them permanently out. I decided to install it on the British Buccaneer.

Review Author
John Yager
Published on
Company
Lifelike Decals
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$19.00

This latest release from Lifelike Decals decal sheet features two different P-47’s one of which is “Tarheel Hal”, the natural metal P-47D bubbletop flown by Lt. Ike Davis of the 366 FS, 358 FG in probably May 1945 at Sandhofen, Germany. The other P-47D, an OD and neutral gray razorback (not reviewed here) is “Lil LO” flown by Major Henry B. Kucheron of the 354 FS, 355 FG in early 1945 at Steeple Morden, England.

Review Author
Ed Kinney
Published on
Company
Hobby Boss
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$86.95

NOTE – In box review only…full build article to following in Journal

I don’t know about you folks, but it seems that every time I make the decision to undertake a major/difficult project, only because there are no alternatives available, someone else comes out with a beautiful kit of the subject and this was no exception.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.95

Oh where were you when I did a review of the Dragon Me-262 A-1a/U-4? Master Models has released a four part set to replace the large 5cm canon which was added to the Me-262 U-4 and also was part of the Me410 in one variant.

The set consists of a turned aluminum barrel, a turned aluminum barrel head and two brass parts. The brass parts are the end of the barrel which has a perforated tip and a cap. You place the cap on the end and add the parts together and drill a hole in the kit part and you're done. Couldn't be simpler.

The holes drilled in the business end of the barrel are a work or art. I included several pictures and borrowed one from the Master Models site to show size.

In summary, this has superb detail, a very reasonable price, will make sure you don't have sanding and fit issues with the kit parts and is easy. Most highly recommended. My thanks to Piotr and Iwona Czerkasow of Master Model, and IPMS/USA fo this review sample.

Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Platz
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$39.98

[Japanesse] manufacturer Platz has expanded its UAV line to cover several versions of the Predator. This review covers the MQ-1A one, which is the armed one.

The kit is molded in light plastic and two sprues. You get 6 marking options, but there are plenty of extra decals in the sheet, so you can probably find enough markings for almost any predator in service.

Wings are one piece, helping to set the proper dihedral which is critical on an airplane with such a long wingspan relative to the fuselage.

Given that there is no cockpit, assembly is quick and easy. It took me about two hours to prepare the parts and assemble them. I left the landing gear out the kit for ease of painting.

Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$10.00

This is one big bomb or imitation bomb. Its construction is typical Soviet design. Molded perfectly in light grey resin the bomb itself is a two piece affair with a nose cone and tail section. Also included in this set is an exquisitely molded bomb rack. The rack is a piece of art with sway brace arms molded in place. How they molded it and got it to cast is beyond me.

Decals are included for the stencils and the instructions show where they belong.

The bomb can be painted either light grey or dark green.

As far as I know this bomb has never before been available in any form. It is used on the Mig-21, Su-7, Su-22 and Su-24.

This bomb, or imitation bomb, will make a very unique addition to your model. It is big and typically Soviet looking.

Highly recommended