Quickboost is well known for making simple, well detailed, drop in replacement parts. This set is for the Accurate Miniatures (now Italeri) SBD-5 and replaces the undercarriage covers. The set includes two replacement doors which replace the kit parts. The molding is perfect and as you can see in the comparison, the Quickboost parts are much thinner that the kit parts on the edges. One thing to note- the kit parts have a tab which goes up into wheel well and establishes the angle while the Quickboost parts are more accurate and attach only to the landing gear struts.

Preparation is simple; I used a photoetch razor saw to cut the parts free and primed the parts with Alclad gray. I was installing these on an Atlantic scheme kit so interior and exterior color was white. I added them directly and they fit perfectly.

So back in April 2016, I reviewed what was purported to be an accurate scale model of the Panther tank prototype, “Panther Ausf. D V2”, then recently released by Dragon Models as kit 6822 in their 1/35^th scale military vehicle range. The original review can be found here.

At the time I said that the model appeared accurate based on the scale plans found in the publication Panzer Tracts 5-1. The Panzer Tracts publications have a great reputation for the historical information contained therein, and also for the accuracy of their scale drawings. Yet here we have a NEW “Panzer Ausf. D V2” prototype kit, AGAIN from Dragon Models, and yet this kit contains a number of new parts for the rear end of the vehicle, so what gives??!!

In Part 1, We worked through the cockpit and assembly of the basic fuselage. In Part 2, we’ll get the wings done and the fuselage finished and button up things for its first set of paint.

The fuselage includes several pieces indicating future variants of the Phantom. The rudder top cap is a separate piece and glues easily in place. Make sure your alignment is straight with the rest of the rudder on this part. There are two different rudder caps so make sure you select the correct one. The front radome is added and with a light sanding fits wonderfully into place. It is keyed but make sure it is in the correct orientation. If not, it will look really weird. Lastly, the top spine of the fuselage can be added. Not the need to add a hole for an antenna. This part took a light sanding and fit well.

Quickboost is famous for making simple, well detailed, drop in replacement parts. This set is for the Accurate Miniatures (now Italeri) SBD-5 and replaces the exhausts. The set includes four exhausts which have the attachment tab molded into the bottom. The molding is perfect and as you can see in the comparison, the Quickboost parts are much thinner than the kit parts on the edges and have a nice deep indent. Also, there are four exhausts, which is enough to do two kits or a spare if you are a fumble fingers like me.

Adding them to the kit is simple. Cut them from the casting block and sand as needed. I primed with Alclad gray primer and then painted with Alclad exhaust manifold. I added a black wash making sure to get it deep in the inside. Once dry, I flat coated and glued to the kit. Attachment was perfect. And another quick flat coat and we’re done.

When Kinetic announced they were doing a F/A-18C series, there was a lot of interest based on the fact that the Hornet has been a long serving fighter with an iconic shape and lots of great markings. When the markings were announced, my interest became a little more personal as one of the markings was for VFA-25 on the USS Carl Vinson. I was lucky enough to be on that very tiger cruise and I have included a series of pictures of this plane. How could I not build it (plus you can never have enough Hornets).

Looking in the box, there are 18 light gray sprues with crisp engraved panel lines and riveting. Six of the sprues are dedicated to weapons (missile, bombs and pods). There are also two clear sprues, a photoetch sheet and the instructions which include separate building and painting instructions. A large decal sheet covering the six markings: