Thanks to Caracal Models for sending these excellent decals for review. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for letting me review them! I am very appreciative of the chance to contribute back to the scale-modeling community.

This review covers a new release of decals for the MQ-9 UAV, including the NASA Ikhana version from the long-since sold out inaugural 1:48 scale sheet produced by Caracal. My target kit was the Revell MQ-9 and I chose to model the Ikhana markings. Eight versions representing NASA, USAF, RAF, French and Italian Air Force aircraft between 2013 and 2013 are included with the exception of the Ikhana in 2008. Stenciling is minimal, as it is on the actual Reaper. The decals are crisp and well-registered, printed by Cartograf. The decals responded well to Microscale decal solutions and settled snugly into position with no problems.

Scale Aircraft Conversions has released replacement landing gear for the Wingnut Wings 1/32 Pfalz D.IIIa. The supplied items include two main gear legs, the main gear axle, and the tail skid. All four parts are loose in the blister package and not attached to any metal sprue.

This replacement set will provide stronger landing gear that won’t sag over time, and are somewhat adjustable if necessary to obtain proper alignment. Even with zero previous experience in using white metal parts, this set will provide an upgrade that most modelers will have no problem installing. Scale Aircraft Conversions does not use lead in their white metal mix, so the builder does not have to be concerned with that perceived hazard.

Hasegawa's 1/48 F-104 is a very nice kit and build into a fine replica of a very pretty plane. Eduard has started to release aftermarket sets for the plane to upgrade the exhausts and the wheels. This set deals with the early F-104 version using the GE J79 engine. The set consists of five perfectly cast resin pieces with two photoetch pieces. The photoetch pieces are for flame holders. To prepare the set, you need to remove the casting blocks from the exhaust tube and exhaust petals along with two braces to support the installation of the engine in the fuselage. When you are cutting the exhaust petals loose, be slow and careful as it is fragile due to its thinness and detail

Assembly is simple. Add the flame holder inside the exhaust tube. Add the second flame holder to the top of the engine back. You then glue the supports in and then assemble the three pieces. The supports hold the exhaust snugly and the you need to make sure that the exhausts protrudes appropriately.

New editor Gary Hatcher takes over the reins of Scale Aircraft Modeling and make some changes immediately in the format of the magazine. One thing you'll notice right away is the change to much more history interspersed with the modeling. Another interesting note is that many of the articles no longer have white backgrounds going to grey or blue gray in several articles. This is a first issue with these changes. The old structure and build types are gone and this concentrates more on feature articles.

For this issue, the first feature article by Tony O'Toole is refurbishment of a converted Airfix Stirling C.Mk.V. The article takes you through stripping the paint off, updating the engines with resin ones. He finishes it off with a nice paint scheme and subtle weathering.

This is the third version of the Buffalo 6x6 MPCV to be issued by Bronco Models. This release includes a different armor configuration than the previous two releases, with slat armor and spaced armor. This is an excellent kit that will be a challenging build for even more advanced modelers. The kit has lots of small parts, finicky assembly of the slat armor, but will result in a highly detailed and rewarding model.

The previous releases were reviewed here: