I previously reviewed Amigo’s 1/72 resin exhaust set for the Mig-21bis and this set is almost identical. Like the previous kit, it comprises five detailed resin parts for the exhaust. The centerpiece of the assembly and the flame holder for the afterburner are slightly different than the corresponding pieces in the R25-300 engine set. All of them are highly detail, both on the inside of the exhaust as well as the exterior. Although the pieces are not numbered, you can identify them by the life-sized drawings on the instructions.

My razor saw made short work of removing the mold bases from the kit parts. Two of the pieces have interior cones attached to the bases, but these are not part of the exhaust. I believe they help in the molding process.

Entering service in 2003, the AIM-9X is the latest version of the “Sidewinder” family of heat seeking missiles. Some of the advancements over previous versions is 90 degrees off boresight capability that is compatible with helmet mounted displays. The missile also incorporates thrust vectoring control improving turning capability. The AIM-9X also internal cooling which removes the need for launch rail nitrogen bottles. The AIM-9X is typically air launched but can be fired from land and sea platforms.

Eduard is known for a wide variety of high quality resin, photo etch and full kits. The AIM-9X is part of their “Brassin” line includes resin 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.

Brief History

The Sturmgeschütz IV (StuG IV) (Sd.Kfz. 167), was a World War II German assault gun variant of the Panzer IV used in the latter part of the war. It was identical in role and concept to the highly successful StuG III assault gun variant of the Panzer III. Both StuG models were given an exclusively tank destroyer role in German formations and tactical planning in the last two years of the war, greatly augmenting the capability of the dwindling tank force available to the German army on the Eastern and Western fronts.

From December 1943 to May 1945, Krupp built 1,108 StuG IVs and converted an additional 31 from battle-damaged Panzer IV hulls. While the number is smaller than the 10,000+ StuG III, the StuG IV supplemented and fought along with StuG III during 1944–45, when they were most needed.

In November, 1950, “volunteer” forces of the Chinese Army crossed the Yalu River and swept the advancing UN forces out of North Korea and back below the 38th Parallel. By the following February, Allied forces had halted the Chinese and stabilized the front, pushing them back into North Korea with limited counterattacks. By April, with an infusion of fresh divisions, the Chinese were once again on the offensive, pressing the UN line in another attempt to capture the South Korean capital, Seoul.

Master Box Ltd, out of the Ukraine, has been a leader in 1/35 figures for a while. They expanded into 1/24 female and fantasy figures in 2016, starting with their first series of six female figures representing the World War II era. This current series, Truckers, is ideal for modern Class-8 truck vignettes and dioramas. Mike (Beach Boy) Barrington is part of the first six kits in this series with more on their way.

The kit comes in a standard end opening box. Pulling out the parts, you will first see that the box is probably three times too large, but in return you get a nice painting on the cover by V. Petelin, and instructions on the back with color callouts in Vallejo, Lifecolor, Tamiya, and Mr. Color. I will note that the plastic figure sculpted by A. Gagarin is not identical to the cover paining, but it is very close. Figure represents a truck driver with his hands on the wheel. Packaging of the eleven parts are protected within a re-sealable bag.