The Parts

The parts are secured in a small plastic bag with two stickers applied. The first of those stickers matches the product number “35674”. The second sticker might represent the number of part sprues, “2”, or it might be an “inspector” number. Sprue “A” has 14 parts and Sprue “B” has 19 parts, with a total of 33 parts making up the machine gun and wheeled carriage. All parts are clearly marked with an I.D. number that is an alphanumeric combination. For example, the gunner’s seat is on sprue B and is part #16 on that sprue. On the kit instructions the gunner’s seat is identified as “B16”. This makes part identification very simple, very easy, and very clear.

The Aircraft

The KC-135 was the US Air Force’s first jet refueling aircraft, replacing the KC-97. The 135 was developed from the same prototype as the 707, but has much more in common with the Model 720. The 135 entered service with the USAF in 1957. The last KC-135 was delivered in 1965.

The KC-135E was an interim between the KC-135A and R. The E model came about when it became apparent that the A model just didn’t have the power and range needed to support the global mission of the US Air Force. The fix is the same one used on the Boeing 707 and 720, updating the engines from P&W J-57s to TF-33s. The re-engining continued with the KC-135R, which has GE/SNECMA CFM-56 engines. The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve flew the E model.

Engine

The kits Chevy 409 can be built with either dual quads or blown. There is flash on the engine parts and after it has been removed, the engine fits together fairly well. Detail of the engine parts is defiantly showing its age.

Chassis

The chassis frame rails are separate from the chassis, which can make for further detailing easier. The exhaust system, front & rear suspension are also separate pieces. With a little grinding and relocation of the spindles, the front end can be brought down. The kit also provides a straight tube axle with leaf springs for building a gasser.

Interior

The interior is a bit on the sparse side so I opted to swap out the kit seats with a pair of resin aftermarket parts. The door panels are fairly well engraved.

This is a 1/25 un-assembled promo. The kit contains 40 pieces molded in clear, and black, seats are molded in black vinyl. This is an official Indianapolis 500 licensed product and includes an Indy 500 sticker and 5x7 picture of the car. This model is part of Round 2’s Showroom Replica series

History and Research

The Chevrolet Corvette has become a familiar star at the annual running of the Indianapolis 500. The subject model of this review is the 2008 version of the Corvette or “C6” model. It was the 10th Corvette chosen to pace the annual May Indy 500 race. The 2008 Pace car celebrated the 30 year anniversary of the first Corvette to pace Indy. This 2008 model was styled after the 1978 (C3 model), complete with black over silver.

Written by Pobert Peczkowski, with color illustrations by Teodor Liviu Morosanu, this book focuses on the “D” model of the ubiquitous P-51 Mustang. For such a small book, 6 ½ by 9 inches, it packs a powerful punch in its 152 pages of intense coverage of the Mustang.

There are 32 pages of black and white images which cover the development of the “D” and “K” models of the Mustang. A full-color section of 120 pages provides a great deal of “detail” for the modeler who wishes to “up their game” on a Mustang project. Drawings and illustrations are included, and add that extra value that modelers seek when selecting research material.

Bound within the publication are 3-view plans of the “D” in 1/72nd scale, with 1/48th and 1/32nd plans, on folded paper inserted in the book.

A set of excellent full-color profiles are included on the final 28 pages of the book.