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Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Master Model
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$7.50

Another excellent turned metal (aluminum this time) pitot assembly from Master Model; IPMS USA sincerely appreciates the support of Master Model, who continue to provide first-class products to improve our kits!

Another in a long line of simple upgrades; you can see in the photos the kit item is thicker and “chunky” compared to Master Model’s replacement. You will need to remove the kit tube from the mounting boss, drill a hole, and install. It can’t be easier than that! Use superglue or epoxy to attach; the fit is perfect and doesn’t need anything else. And there is the excellent instruction sheet with actual drill dimensions and “how to put this on” for those who have never used aftermarket like this… a quality addition all around, and the cost is reasonable for the strength of the new tube.

Review Author
Randy Robinson
Published on
Company
Tamiya
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$92.00

Ferrari has a history of building limited edition supercars based on their Formula One racing technology. Think GTO, F40, F50 and the Enzo. The Ferrari La Ferrari is the latest chapter in this storied tradition. It is, essentially, a 200+ MPH, 963 horsepower, gas/electric Hybrid. With only 499 La Ferrari being built and those being offered to the upper echelon of Ferrari’s clientele, the chances of getting one are kneel to none.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Nautilus Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$70.00

New from Jim Corley and Nautilus Models is a wood replacement deck for Revell's 1/72 Type IXc U-boat. If you have never purchased a Nautilus set of decking, it is actual wood decking (like the U-boats had) that is laser engraved to the correct pattern and with add-ons like resin parts and laser cut vinyl to complete the detailing.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
A.M.D.G. Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$16.95

I’ve heard some modelers say they can’t have too many Mustangs. For those who believe that, there is a decal company that seems to believe it too. A.M.D.G. Decals is a new company from Poland that is off to a great start…releasing four P-51 decal sets titled YANKEE MERLIN ROARS!!! (Parts I – IV), and they provide everything needed in each set to decal four different a/c. When I say everything, I do mean everything. The decal sheet included in each set is packed with about as much as anyone could hope for. Check out the photo below to verify that.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$12.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions has produced replacement gear for the Hasegawa 1/48 scale A6M Zero kits. The white metal replacements are a clean drop-in for the kit plastic parts. The supplied items include two main gear struts, and one tail gear strut with integrally molded wheel. Some other SAC replacement gear packages have included replacement wheels for the main gear, as well, but not the case here. You will need to use the Hasegawa wheels for your build.

A side by side evaluation (see photos) indicates an identical replacement that should provide a greater strength assembly with a significantly improved weight capacity and abuse tolerance. For those without basic modeling experience, be sure to use CA (Superglue) for the gear installation, as the usual plastic glues will not react with the white metal. In some cases where original equipment was left in a natural metal finish, painting may not be necessary. As always, check your reference photos

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Plusmodel
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$28.00

Another awesome kit from Plus Models is a milling machine which would fit in many dioramas such as an auto or machine shop. The kit is a true multimedia kit with 29 resin parts, a photo etch fret, a length of wire and decals to make a duplicate of a LeBlond No. 3 Plain Milling Machine. The parts are perfectly cast and the photoetch is nicely engraved. The decals represent the metallic plates on the machine and are excellent also.

Construction involves removing a lot of casting gates. This is true for all parts except the sprue that have the handles. Once the gates are removed, I added the motor and main arm to the base. I also added the controls and electrical boxes and the main arms and the end guard. I left off tray and adjustment guide as they can be added later. The main drive belt guard was also added. I also made the mistake of adding the tiny handles to all of the arms. More on that later. I also assembled the parts for the tray and adjustment guides.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
Wheeliant
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.00

Wheelliant is a sub-brand of Aires, a scale model resin detailing parts manufacturer located in the Czech Republic. Their lines include fine and accurately detailed cast resin replacement parts for model kits in the most commonly produced scales.

Wheelliant has produced replacement wheels and weighted tires for 1/48 Academy F-14A kits. The website indicates other sets (with different stock numbers) that are to be used with Hobby Boss and Hasegawa Tomcat kits. This set is intended to dress up and/or supplement the plastic kit parts. The easily assembled rims and tires are clean glue-on replacements for the kit plastic parts. Also included is a length of fine copper wire for use as hydraulic brake and/or electrical connection lines.

Review Author
Andrew Birkbeck
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$24.95

The “original” Mini was produced from 1959 to 2000 by the British Motor Corporation and its successors, British Leyland and the Rover Group, designed by Alec Issigonis and marketed under the Austin and Morris badges. The Mini Cooper was the “Sports” option that was developed by legendary race car maker John Cooper. The key here is that not all Minis are Coopers although most Americans know the Mini line of cars as “Mini Coopers”.

Review Author
Rob Booth
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$11.95

Scale Aircraft Conversions has produced replacement gear for the Hasegawa 1/72 scale F-4 Phantom kits. The white metal replacements are a clean drop-in for the kit plastic parts. The supplied items include two main gear struts, and one nose gear strut with a separate oleo scissor and retraction strut. Some other SAC packages include replacement wheels, as well, but not the case here. You will need to use the Hasegawa wheels for your build.

A side by side evaluation (see photos) indicates an identical replacement that should provide a greater strength assembly with a significantly improved weight capacity and abuse tolerance. In some cases where original equipment was left in a natural metal finish, painting may not be necessary. As always, check your reference photos

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the IPMS Reviewer Corps and Scale Aircraft Conversions for the opportunity to review this item.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
Company
Ultracast
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$5.50

Ultracast has released a series of four highly detailed resin seats for early P-40s. This, the third one in the series (#48257) correctly represents the early square back export style seat with British Sutton harness that was standard issue for Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk fighters that were in service with the RAF, RAAF and SAAF. One seat comes packaged in a zip-lock bag stapled to Ultracast’s familiar folded card. The seat is cast in a light tan color resin and comes on a small casting block with a minimum amount of casting flash that is easily removed with a sharp #11 blade.

The review sample was first airbrushed with Mr. Color Interior Green and details were hand brushed with Vallejo acrylics. As the photo below shows, the finely cast details sculpted into this seat come alive when they are painted.