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Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
True Details
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$10.99

Another beautifully cast set of resin parts to make our models better from our friends at MMD/Squadron; thanks very much to you for providing IPMS USA this review item!

Another of Monogram’s better kits, the F-101B has been re-released in several different guises. Most recently it was released with a new decal sheet and markings, but it’s still the standby F-101B.

As stated before, these seats really make a bid difference between the standard model seats with their molded-on harness. Although the kit seats were more than adequate, this set from True Details takes the illusion of reality a step further. Cast in Gray resin, the seats have fantastic harness detail (I much prefer these to Photoetch; they just look better to me) and the rest of the seat is also upgraded. Easy to install; paint, remove the casting block, and superglue in place.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Caracal Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.99

Hobbyboss released the YF-23 Black Widow kit in 1/48th scale to some fanfare. It is a great kit of a unique subject. IPMS was lucky enough to review it while the kit is great, the decals leave a lot to be desired as far as accuracy. The wing warning labels are black, the tile grids by the intakes are missing and the tail markings are more for a fictitious active fighter. There are also miscellaneous badges missing as well as only having markings for the gray version. The black PAV1 version which briefly wore the red black widow hourglass was not represented at all. Never fear, Kursad Albayraktar and Caracal Models to the rescue with set 48048 which represents both YF-23 prototypes.

Review Author
Steve Collins
Published on
Company
Platz
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$51.00

The X-47B is an experimental Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle the US Navy is testing from its aircraft carriers for suitability as a remotely controlled attack aircraft. Apparently, UCAVs are going to be a large part of the future of US military flying.

This kit from Platz was described in one of the paper publications as requiring twice as long to paint as it did to build and twice as long as that to decal. I find myself in total agreement with that assessment. The kit consists of approximately 56 parts in a light grey plastic. The parts tree is sensibly laid out and the instructions include a parts map showing all the relevant parts.

Review Author
Brian R. Baker
Published on
Company
Encore by Squadron
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$24.99

History

The Albatros series of Biplane fighters, beginning with the D.I of 1916, became one of the standard German fighters of World War I. Initially powered by a 160 hp. Mercedes D.III engine, subsequent developments of the aircraft switched to a new wing arrangement, partially intended to improve pilot visibility, and partially to follow the example of the French Nieuport 17 series. The engines remained basically the same, although upgraded models produced 175 to 185 hp., improving performance somewhat. The D.IV reverted to the earlier wing, and was not produced, but the D.V had the “V-strut” wing and the 160/185 hp. Mercedes.

Review Author
Rick Bellanger
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$110.00

Eduard has released another fine quality detail set for the HK Models B-17G. This set includes all four engines (which are available individually), their cowlings (both enclosed and open), and exhaust tubes. The engine sets are numbered from one thru four, with number one being the outboard left engine, number two the inboard left engine, number three the inboard right engine and number four the outboard right engine.

The number one and four engine assemblies are mirror images of each other, with the only difference being the exhaust discharge is either on the left or right side. Number two and three are twins; their exhaust is on the bottom. The assemblies come individually wrapped and are well protected with bubble wrap. You must keep track of all the parts, and which engine they belong to. I scribed numbers in the back of the castings to help me in this endeavor.

Review Author
Keith Pieper
Published on
Company
Bronco Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$59.95

The Beast

As the SU-152 is known as one of the stops on evolutionary scale for the KV-1 chasis before it was overshadowed by JS-Series.

As a newbie to Bronco kits, I was pleasantly surprised to open the box to slide molded sprues, 3 bags of individual linked track sprues and a sprue of clear modular interior & exterior periscopes.

Upon inspection of the instructions, there are multiple sprues of similar looking parts. Watch for the grayed out “Do not use parts” listed as similar looking parts on the same sprue can lead to using the incorrect parts, confusion, and loss of functionality.

Scanning the instructions further reveal Bronco’s engineering of a working articulating torsion bar, suspension, a full gun carriage, semi complete driver station, partial interior, and an partial upper engine box.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$14.95

Eduard has started making resin sets and has started issuing weapons sets. This set contains the parts for six Mk. 82 bombs with the early airbrakes. It consists of 24 resin parts with each bomb being 2 parts. This will allow more versions of the bombs to come out. There are also two types of fuses for the front of the bomb. The set also includes all needed decals and instructions. Molding is top notch with very nice detail on the air brakes and also the attachment lugs.

Assembly is started by cutting the bomb body and the tail from the sprues. The more square the cut here, the better the assembly. Each part is squared and glued together. I had to use a little putty on the body seam. I cleaned this with lacquer thinner and got a good seam. Painting is simple as the body is olive drab.. The fuse is silver. I elected the longer ones. The decals apply well. Make sure they don't fold over. A wash and flat coat and the bombs are done.

Book Author(s)
Chris Goss
Review Author
Pablo Bauleo
Published on
Company
Specialty Press
MSRP
$19.95

KG 40 was the only long range maritime unit of the Luftwaffe. V Gruppe was the only long range fighter Gruppe within the unit. That alone makes the study of their operations an interesting topic.

As part of the Battle of the Atlantic, U-Boats transiting the Bay of Biscay became pray of RAF bombers. As a response measure, KG 40 activated a heavy fighter unit (Junkers 88 C-6) to intercept the bombers. As a response the RAF deployed the Beaufighter and later, Mosquitos into the bay. The Luftwaffe counter the move by deploying single engine Fw-190 fitted with long range tanks (from 8/JG2), but eventually, the sheer number of the Allied aircraft established air superiority over the bay.

The book has the following chapters

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Aerobonus
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.00

Aerobonus continues their excellent diorama releases with a US Navy Torpedo loading cart. I searched the Internet and found out it was also used to load bombs. The kits is molded in four parts of Aires dark gray resin. There is the main body which is molded in one piece. There is a sizable pour stub to remove but it is all on the bottom and easy to remove. There is one sprue which contains both handles and a insert for the center with molded in straps. The handles are very thin and fine and they need very slow careful removal to make sure they don't break. The resin is good to work with and with some patience, I removed them slowly and sanded the parts off. The insert goes into the center easily. The handles are left and right so make sure they spread enough to get a weapon between them. I glued them in and called the build finished.

Review Author
Dave Morrissette
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$6.50

Quickboost has released a set of pitot tubes for the Hobbyboss 1/48th scale F-105. This set is a single sprue of three pitot tubes cast with covers on each side to protect them. The usage is simple; cut the needed pitot tube off and attach to the model. I show it in the photos below beside the Revell kit I also completed for review. There are no seam lines -- so cut, glue and paint.

Whether you have broken a pitot tube off, or want to prevent it, this is a nice set for that purpose. And you get three pitot tubes, so there is a reserve. This is a recommended set. My thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review sample.