Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
December 1, 2011
Company
Aoshima
Scale
1/350
MSRP
$29.00

The H.IIB Launch Vehicle by Aoshima is a great little kit. When mounted on the display base provided in the kit, the model measures just shy of 6 inches in height. The display base has a small footprint, measuring about 2 inches by 4 inches. The completed project will not consume much volume in your model display case.

While the space required for display of the H-II is very small, the eye appeal of the finished model is quite large. The color scheme is dramatic, as is the shape of the vehicle and payload shroud.

The H-II features four SRBs attached to the main rocket body, with a payload shroud topping off the full stack. The rocket nozzles are molded as single pieces while the SRBs, payload shroud, and main rocket body are molded in “right/left” halves.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
December 1, 2011
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$4.40

Quickboost has released a set of 3 pitot tubes applicable to F-104s produced by any manufacturer. The pitot tubes are scaled nicely, which means that they are very small in diameter with a nice taper leading to a very delicate tip. A great feature provided by Quickboost is a molded mounting pin, about 16th inch in length, that will fit into a hole in the nose of the model receiving the pitot tube. This mounting pin provides sufficient surface area at the point of attachment to secure the tube in a snug fashion.

Quick, clean, and easy to use, requiring no cleanup, this Quickboost product will add to the appearance of any F-104 on the market.

The product is highly recommended. Thanks to Quickboost for providing this sample item to IPMS, and to IPMS for the opportunity to review this very fine accessory.

Review Author
Roger Carrano
Published on
December 1, 2011
Company
Griffon Model
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$7.35

Griffon Model has released another universal product for modelers of armor. This time they have come out with a round-cornered 3.7cm ammo storage bin for German 3.7cm Flak. Two types of bins can be made. One has holes for the shell to fit thru on top and with half moon cutouts at the other end so that the bottom of the shell can rest on it and keep it from moving. The other type has bars which fit across to hold the shells in place.

Included in this “Universal” kit are one large photo etched fret, decals, and a small length of brass wire with four ABS rods. These cases can also be built with working hinges if you choose.

Review Author
Roger Carrano
Published on
December 1, 2011
Company
Griffon Model
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$6.00

Griffon Model has recently come out with a new product which is designed to be used with any kit. It is a six-round 3.7cm clip for the Flak 36/37 German anti-aircraft gun. Included are four frets of photo etched parts taped to a piece of black cardboard with an included instruction sheet and a few color photos to show what the finished product should look like. Each ammo clip is made up of seven pieces: six clips and the attaching tray. There are ten of these trays with extra clips included just in case of loss or breakage. Assembly is straightforward and relatively easy.

Review Author
Dick Montgomery
Published on
December 1, 2011
Company
Wheeliant
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$7.00

Wheelliant has several offerings of wheel chocks in 32nd scale. Set # 132-013 is for use with land-based USAF and US Marine aircraft. The castings are exceptionally clean and crisp with no sink marks or imperfections. This set of chocks provides four larger chocks and a pair of smaller ones. A short length of “rope” is included, and has a texture and appearance that is very much appropriate for 32nd scale. These chocks are ready to go directly from the package and will add a touch of realism to the appearance of the subject being modeled.

This product is highly recommended. Thanks to Aires for the review sample and IPMS for the opportunity to review it.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
November 29, 2011
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/12
MSRP
$69.95

In 1979, my teenage dream came true when I bought my third car (or I should say my Dad did after I pestered him to death), a 1965 Mustang coupe. When I was growing up, my folks bought two of these beauties brand new, a 1965 convertible and 1968 California Special. The Mustang was firmly rooted in my mind as one the coolest cars I’d ever seen. I had to have one. A testament to my Dad’s wisdom, my Mustang wasn’t the hotrod my friends had with their 289 and 302 V-8s. Mine was a straight six 200 cid with diamond tuck interior and a cheesy baby blue paint job. In retrospect, he probably saved me from getting into a lot of trouble. Over the course of the next two years I restored the car to its original factory condition, down to its Philco AM radio. As nice as it turned out, I really always wanted a Shelby. Even then, Shelby’s were coveted collector cars well out of a high school kid’s budget.

Review Author
Fred Wilms
Published on
November 28, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$26.49

IN THE BOX

The kit replicates the back engine housing/afterburner assembly used on the F-14A Tomcat. Material is made from resin and is gray in color. Also included is a photo etched sheet of afterburner nozzles. All the parts were in excellent condition.

CONSTRUCTION

Initially, I trimmed the engine housing exhaust and afterburner housing. The end sprue material was not needed. I painted the interior prior to the assembly of the fan blades, can interior, and afterburners. Note: the F-14 kit I used did not have a “kit part” as noted in the instructions. I was able to adapt this exhaust nozzle kit to the F-14A Testor’s kit. It worked just fine – I did have to make some adjustments, however.

FINISH

The paint used was store-bought spray primer (gray), ModelMaster enamel (steel), and on the outside exhaust housing I used acrylic (steel).

COMMENTS

This kit can be assembled by any age model builder. The plans are very easy to follow.

Review Author
Mark Aldrich
Published on
November 28, 2011
Company
Bronco Models
Scale
1/35
MSRP
$39.95

This has got to be the best last couple of years for the Middle East Wars modeler enthusiast. Tamiya is releasing an M-1 Super Sherman (not really Super, just a Sherman used by the IDF). Dragon is releasing several useable kits for the period, one of which is a newly tooled Bison II that could be used by the Egyptian Army. A company called Meng Model has offered an injection molded import pickup truck with ZPU-1. SabingaMartin has released another book, and Bronco has released three versions of the YW series APC along with two versions of this little GAZ-69.

Book Author(s)
Leigh Neville
Review Author
Jeff Leiby
Published on
November 28, 2011
Company
Osprey Publishing
MSRP
$17.95

Modern special operation forces made their first appearance during the Second World War and have been involved in every major and many minor conflicts since. The current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with wide open spaces and heavily armed insurgents, have seen the employment of a large variety of special operations patrol vehicles. These vehicles allow the special operators to cover long distances rapidly while carrying the weapons necessary to confront a wide range of targets.

Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
November 28, 2011
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$26.99

History Brief

The 1948 Ford was the company’s last model to be produced using a pre-WWII design. Distinctive “fat” fenders helped make it an instant favorite with custom builders, who tended to chop the top and add fade-away fenders and tunneled headlights. A modified Ford flathead V-8, dual carburetors, and dual exhaust was the rage.

The Product:

Kit features newly tooled optional custom parts. These include four grills with separate surrounds, two bumpers, two hubcaps, three taillights, two hoods, fade-away side panels, spotlights, fender skirts, plated metal exhaust tips, printed whitewall tires, chrome plated parts, and decals with colorful custom graphics. Total parts 136, skill level 3.

The Build: