Introduction

The F-106 was a direct development of the F-102 first conceived of in 1951. This supersonic all weather interceptor had a number of advanced features for its time including fully enclosed weapons bay and a delta wing platform. The F-106 further developed the concept with a more powerful Pratt and Whiney J75 engine and the unique area rule or coke bottle fuselage that enabled the F-106 to reach twice the speed of sound. The F-106 was equipped with the first guided missiles used by the USAF. The Aim 4E was semi radar guided and the Aim 4G was a heat seeker. The aircraft could also carry nuclear weapons. The F-106 never saw combat but did intercept countless Soviet bombers over the course of its career. They served over 20 years with the USAF and 16 years with various ANG units. Notable is the fact that the F-106 finished its run with the lowest single engine aircraft accident rate of any USAF aircraft.

Yet another landing gear set from our friends at Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC). Like the other sets I’ve used these are an exact reproduction of the kit parts in white metal. My first impression every time I use SAC parts is they look rough in the package but are indistinguishable from the kit parts once painted and installed. This set is no different. I have to confess up front, I had started the kit before I saw this on the review list so I couldn’t use the whole set. The nose gear leg cannot be added after the fuselage is together so I missed the boat on that one. As for the main gear legs I decided to do one of each to see if any difference is apparent, there isn’t. I could go either way on this set. The real F-106 had a very robust landing gear design that Trumpeter has captured beautifully in plastic. In some ways the plastic has its advantages. Each gear leg is a multi-part assembly and the ability to manipulate the parts as the glue sets were a plus.

Quickboost has added a number of aftermarket detail sets for the new Airfix 1:72 scale C-47 Skytrain kit. This set provides a pair of air intakes that can be used as drop-in replacements for the ones found in the kit. The Quickboost parts feature crisp detail that is similar to that of the kit parts but they simplify the installation of the intakes because they are one-piece parts instead of the kit’s two-piece intakes that require assembly before they are installed. See the photo below that compares them to the kit parts.

Modern Russian aircraft have been making a surge in the marketplace of late. The SU-24, SU-25, SU-27, MiG-29, MiG-23 and MiG-25 have been released by a variety of manufacturers. Regardless of manufacturer, one thing that all these kits can benefit from is the addition of really accurate armament.

In case you didn’t know Eduard is from the Czech Republic, a former member of the Eastern Block. They have access to the information and the real items.

This BigSin set consists of five separate types of air-to-air missiles. The, R-60/AA-8 Aphid, R-27ER/AA-10 Alamo-C, R-27ET/AA-10 Alamo-D, R-73/AA-11 Archer and the R-77/AA-12 Archer. This is the Russian equivalent of the Sparrows, Sidewinders and AMRAAM in the US inventory.

I love the Eduard FW-190 series of models. I’ve built seven of them so far. The stuff in the kit is nice but there are limitations to what can be done in plastic. That is where the Brassin range comes into play.

In this set are two wheels with predrilled holes, unfortunately they are just as loose as the kit offerings. I would have loved if they were molded with smaller holes with the angles set already. Oh well the detail is really nice. They are molded in light grey resin with flawless detail molded on. You also get a masking set for the wheels. Just another great idea from Brassin. You have to be careful as the wheels are sided. So be careful when you take them off the resin pour stubs to not get them mixed.

The beautiful detail and masking material makes this just a perfect little upgrade set. If you like FW-190s then these wheels are as good as it gets.

Highly recommended