Review Author
Roger Carrano
Published on
July 1, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/32
MSRP
$36.95

In Eduard’s ordinary fashion, they once again bring to life the cockpit of the AV-8B with the Night Attack interior. They have incorporated in their Photo Etch, new side panels with small boxes of instruments and throttles that resemble the real thing. Colored placards are placed around the cockpit to bring out true realism and a small sheet of film is used for the clear screen over some of the instruments readouts. Colored pieces for the instruments are also provided to apply over the panel for exact realism. There are also a lot of other small gadgets to add to the cockpit, such as mirrors and handles, and they are easy to fold and put in place.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
September 23, 2021
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$3.99

Quickboost now catalogs a set of detail parts for Tamiya’s 1/72 Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-3 kit that will make it easy for modelers to place the rudder in an off-center position. Set QB 72 311 provides a casting block containing three separate (but identical) rudders. Detail is crisp, with recessed panel lines that match those found on the kit parts (because, it appears Quickboost actually removed that part from the Tamiya kit, added a V–shaped edge to fit against the fin and cast three of the rudders in resin). Since the rudders of most Fw 190s are nearly identical, these parts should be of use on a number of 1/72 Focke Wulf kits marketed by other companies.

Review Author
Roger Rasor
Published on
October 5, 2021
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$3.99

Quickboost now offers a set of separate stabilizers and elevators for anyone wishing to build the 1/72 Tamiya Focke Wulf Fw 190 A-3 with dropped elevators. The parts are cast in the typical Quickboost medium gray resin that is both flexible and resilient. Detail is crisp, with recessed panel lines that are curiously close to those found on the kit parts. It looks like Quickboost started with the Tamiya kit parts, cut them apart and added a groove in the stabilizers so the elevators will fit properly in whatever position the modeler desires. There is a little flash is on each stabilizer that is intended to protect the cast parts from damage or deforming when being removed from the molds. This flash is easy to remove with a #11 blade after the parts are separated from the casting block. No instruction sheet is included in the package because it is obvious what to remove and what to use.

Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
June 27, 2011
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/400
MSRP
$10.95

A huge “thanks!” to Alain at Dragon for providing IPMS/USA this kit. I was under the impression this would be a review of one of their famous 1/400 prebuild die-cast models… WRONG! This was a full-fledged build! This is the first of their new series of model aircraft which are to be built, not pre-made with Tampo markings…

Nobody does this scale like Dragon… Impressive off the bat; on to the model…

Review Author
Ben Guenther
Published on
June 27, 2011
Company
Aires Hobby Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$16.95

The Revell 1/72 F-22A Raptor model kit has been out several years and I can remember a review of it that mentioned the cockpit would be ripe for the after market resin folks to upgrade. Well, Aires has done just that with this latest release of theirs, comprising 13 resin parts, 14 P.E. parts and one small sheet of film for the HUD. The resin parts are finely cast and I only had three parts that had broken when I opened the package. Once these were glued back in place (with some CA) the real fun began.

Review Author
Andy Renshaw
Published on
June 26, 2011
Company
Afterburner Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$10.00

Among modern aircraft modelers, if they want colorful and interesting paint schemes the aircraft of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) have always delivered. One of the most attractive, and sleek looking aircraft is the Mitsubishi F-2. Having origins within the FSX program in the late 1980’s, it was birthed out of a cooperative effort with Lockheed Martin after selecting the F-16 as a basis for study into a new support fighter. It wasn’t until the mid 2000 that flight test were concluded and delivery started in September of the same year. With a 25% larger wing, longer fuselage, advanced avionics, and 11 hard points it is a F-16 on steroids and provides the JASDF with a 21stcentury fighter and trainer.

Review Author
Greg Wise
Published on
June 26, 2011
Company
Eduard
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$10.95

Packaged in the standard sized resealable envelope you find one yellow precut mask set along with a folded one sided placement sheet and a backing card. The set covers the canopy and searchlight. Simple and easy best describes using these Eduard mask sets; however this set could be a little confusing if you do not carefully follow the placement guide. I always do a light pencil rubbing to reveal the cuts. Remember patients will be your reward. Eduard has a knack for doing these things very well and I was a little disappointed to discover the wheels were not included. The budget minded modeler may have a little ‘sticker’ shock shelling out 11 bucks MSRP so I would suggest shopping around.

My thanks go to IPMS/USA and Eduard Model Accessories. I highly recommend this set.

P. S. Look for my following review on the Kinetic S-2F.

Review Author
Andy Renshaw
Published on
June 26, 2011
Company
Afterburner Decals
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$20.00

Among modern aircraft modelers, if they want colorful and interesting paint schemes the aircraft of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) have always delivered. One of the most attractive, and sleek looking aircraft is the Mitsubishi F-2. Having origins within the FSX program in the late 1980’s, it was birthed out of a cooperative effort with Lockheed Martin after selecting the F-16 as a basis for study into a new support fighter. It wasn’t until the mid 2000 that flight test were concluded and delivery started in September of the same year. With a 25% larger wing, longer fuselage, advanced avionics, and 11 hard points it is a F-16 on steroids and provides the JASDF with a 21stcentury fighter and trainer.

Review Author
Steve Jahnke
Published on
June 26, 2011
Company
Revell, Inc.
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$22.95

The Ford Motor company unleashed the Mustang SVO (Special Vehicle Operations) in 1984, continuing the marque through 1986. The goal was to produce a sporty and fast Mustang while delivering relatively good gas mileage for the era. Powered by a 2.3 Litre 4 cylinder “Lima” engine originally found under the hood of Pintos, Ford put their money where their claims were. The little Lima was given its muscle (205 HP) with the help of an intercooled turbo-charger; other interesting goodies found on the SVO were a Hurst shifted close ratio 5-speed gear box, Koni designed and supplied suspension, Recaro seats and a bi-plane rear wing unique to the little Mustang that could and did.

The Kit: