Caracal Models second release for the ICM 1/48 C-45 Expeditor covers this plane in service outside the United States with a total of five sets of markings. Inside the package, there is a seven page booklet which has full profiles of each plane (left and right as well as top and bottom), a page of color call outs and the cover showing all five variations.

The five options are:

Academy did a fine job packaging this kit with parts bagged and contained in a sturdy box. Academy is very clear in their instructions to examine the parts (before opening the bags) and contact them if you find any missing or damaged pieces. My kit was complete so let move on. The next thing I noticed was the fact their seemed to be several turrets and hull top pieces. More than what is necessary to build a single Tiger I kit. In fact there are 3 turret tops, two pairs of turret sides, 2 hull top parts sets, 2 glacis plates, 2 pair of fenders and a few extra wheels. I’m not a Tiger expert so I’m not sure what the differences are between Early, Mid and Late but it is obvious this kit covers more than one tank. Included with the styrene parts are a set of photoetch grill covers and a photo etch zimmerit application tool. The kit uses a rubber band track system and what is really cool is the fact the decals were printed by .

The F-16 Falcon has been around for quite a few years now and it never ceases to amaze me just how many new and interesting ways they have found to mark it. Caracal Models has produced decals for one very interesting and cool set of markings. This sheet provides markings for the specially decorated 2014 flagship F-16C (87-0247) belonging to the 482FW based at Homestead AFB. Complete markings for the spectacular shark decoration and stenciling is provided on the decal sheet. The toothy mouth even sits next to the intake!

Inside the package, you get an excellent reference-sheet indicating just which F-16C to use (Block 30 with GE Engine and a MCID big mouth intake), color call-outs and stencil locations, and the web site for location of the masking templates if you might prefer painting the markings.

Revell’s PBY-5A Catalina has been around for 20 years now and I’ve seen quite a few built. It looks large and impressive when finished. The kit comes in two styles - the “-5” which has no wheel wells, and the “-5A” which does. Eduard has released sets for the PBY-5A which allow improvements to the entire airframe. This set (#49697) addresses the cockpit and interior.

The set comes with two beautiful photoetch frets. One is colorized and includes a multi-part instrument panel, a full set of seat belts, and various panels and boxes for the cockpit. The second is not colorized and includes replacement parts for the cockpit floors, the nose gunners floor, replacement rudder pedals and linkages, ammo storage racks for the waist gunners area, and again, various boxes and panels.

Review

Airfix has released a Jet Engine kit, part of their line of “Engineering Models”. This is an interesting kit, as it intends to explain the basics of how a jet engine operates and it introduces the modeler to some very basic electrical skills.

The kit is molded in red, white, blue, clear and silver plastic. It requires no paint and it actually is put together using (dare I say?) screws rather than plastic glue! It even provides you with a screwdriver.

There are about 50 parts which are well molded and the parts themselves require little clean up before assembly. The instructions guide you through the electrical connections of a handle, starter button and mini-electric motor/blower which actually spins the engine.