IPMS/USA Reviews

The book is hardbound, measures 11-1/4 by 8-3/4 inches tall, and comprises 239 pages, divided into 6 chapters, as follows:

Eduard's FW-190s are some of my favorite models. One of the things that is 'nitpicky' about them is that you have to cut open the wing root gun covers so that the kit parts will fit in a closed position. Sometimes this results in a less than perfect fit, depending on how well you cut them. Well you don't have to do it anymore. Loon Models provides you with the two covers with the trailing edges suitably thinned so you no longer have to cut into the wings. This will make that whole process so much simpler and ensure a perfect fit.

Molded in light yellow resin that is blemish free these are easy additions to the kit.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Loon Models for the review copy. You can obtain your copy by contacting Roll Models at https://www.kitlinx.com/ . Tell them IPMS/USA sent you.

The concept of the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is not a new concept. But UAVs have been hot-points in the news from many parts of the world over the last decade. "Birds of Prey" is an absolutely fascinating, current, and in-depth description of the wide variety of these vehicles. The author skillfully intertwines factual information with almost "Tom Clancy" descriptions of combat action. The huge variances in the size, style and missions are covered extremely well. To put the size variance into a modeling perspective, the smallest winged UAV, the Scan Eagle has a 1 inch span in 1:48 scale! Compare this to the Global Hawk Block 20⁺vehicle with a wing span of 32.5 inches in the same scale.

I did not verify the details presented throughout, and there is no reference section or source list. However, there appear to be enough dates, names, and other information to follow up or research additional areas.

This upgrade provides excellent cast cockpit tubs, instrument coamings, and ACES II ejection seats. Included are side controllers; the control sticks are molded into the side panels. Score high there; no disappearing act on the joystick or those throttle levers while trying to attach them to the panels. Detail is unmatched on the resin. The photoetch fret contains all the myriad little bits designed to disappear or be invisible except to specialized cameras or those with 20/05 vision.

Where this upgrade falls behind is the instrument panels; they require you to sandwich film with a photo-etch instrument panel, and paint the back of the films white to simulate instruments. In my case, this was not so good; the white does not show up well, and the level of detail is not up to par with other releases. You cannot see the instruments once you sandwich them to the PE; and there is no good way to correct this (Short of color PE, which if you know me is about the best there is out there IMHO).

Tamiya's kit practically begs to be used in a diorama and this could make a great start. It has:

• complete sets for left and right wings
• ammunition trays
• gun bays
• access panels with PE locking rods
• feed chutes
• 4X .50 Browning machine guns with PE top covers and charging handles

Again, some of the pour stubs on the gray parts are thick and you'll need to be very careful with the cream color .50 gun barrels and feed chutes. They're extremely fragile. I'd recommend you have some experience with resin, modifying kit parts, and PE before you tackle this one.