IPMS/USA

It is no secret that I love the Eduard Bf-109E kits.  Having built three of them in various forms has provided me with some insight on these little gems.  One thing that would be nice is the ability to articulate the elevators, as is frequently seen on the real thing.  I can never get this to look correct to my eye when I do the work.

Quickboost has the answer.  Molded in a light olive drab resin, this set comes in four parts – two horizontal surfaces and two elevators that already have been modified with beveled surfaces that allow the modeler to articulate the control surfaces without issue.  The detail on the parts is exactly as good as the kit parts.

If you do articulate the controls, don’t forget to offset the stick in the cockpit as well.  Down elevators mean forward on stick.  My next Eduard 109 will have this set installed.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Quickboost and IPMS/USA for the review copy.
 

The recent release of the RS Model Ki-100 Otsu and Kou kits has prompted Lifelike to release a new sheet of decals for these aircraft.

The instructions are typical for Lifelike, with two A4 single-sided sheets printed in full color.  The exterior sheet has three-view drawings and the references used to determine the color schemes.  The interior sheet has the left side profiles and the references used to determine the markings.  The history of the pilot is discussed in brief, adding a nice dimension to the markings.

The best thing about Lifelike is that they are not afraid to say that they don’t know something if it isn’t known.  I like this approach.  They also have made good on new information on their website and, where appropriate, they have printed new decals and provide them for free or a small fee.  What other decal company does that?  None.

The Ki-84 Hayate was the premier Japanese fighter of the war.  It also sported some really colorful markings that are a natural for an airplane modeler.

The instructions are printed on two single-sided A4 sheets in full color.  Five aircraft are included in the decals.  The exterior sheet has the three-view drawings and the references used to design the decals.

The decals themselves are printed by Cartograf and are very colorful.  They are in perfect register and thin.  In my opinion, Cartograf is the best decal producer in the world.  I’ve used all kinds of setting solutions on them and they perform flawlessly.  The decals not only include the aircraft markings but also some stencils.

The first Hayate has never before been seen in print, let alone as a decal.  The aircraft has a unique spackled look to it with a beautiful white tiger on the tail.  This aircraft was flown by Lt. Shuho Yamana of Army Transportation Unit in the fall of 1944.

The latest item from Ultracast is designed for the Hasegawa Typhoon.  The kit tail wheel well is an empty area, nothing like the real thing.  This little resin item takes care of that.  This piece is molded in a light cream-colored resin with no blemishes or bubbles anywhere.  It is so nice there is no need to do anything but sand off a very small bit of resin flash, then simply insert it in the tail wheel recess.  The well is suitably deep and provides an easy attachment point for the tail wheel.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Ultracast for the review copy and IPMS for the review opportunity.
 

This in the sixth volume in Osprey’s Air Vanguard series, but the first I have come across.  The series seems geared to providing an overall view of the subject aircraft’s development, technical specifications, and operational history.  One interesting angle on this series is that the books are also available in eReader formats such as Kindle or ePDF files.  People have differing opinions on which format is better suited to a reference book, but in any case it is nice that this option is available.

The book is broken down into 4 basic sections: Design and Development, Technical Specifications, Mark by Mark, and Operational History.  A brief Conclusion section wraps things up, and a small bibliography (6 titles) is included.

The latest release from Wingnut Wings is the family of Fokker D.VIIs.  These late-war beauties are beautifully adorned with artwork and colors.  So Lifelike has decided to offer some unique decal options for the modeler.

Lifelike’s website is always updated with things that may have changed since decals have been released.  It is nice that they offer updated decals when the markings are found to be different than those included in the original release.  Does this mean that Lifelike Decals is wrong?  No, not at all.  Lifelike is not afraid to make educated guesses based on the latest information.  When new information becomes available, they let you know what has changed.  This is unlike any other decal supplier in the world.  That is just the level of professionalism that Lifelike embodies.

The instructions are printed on two A4 single-sided sheets in full color.  You get four views to each aircraft.  It is here that you see the unique colors applied to these aircraft.

Wingnut Wings has singlehandedly sparked a resurgence in WWI large scale kits.  Their quality and engineering have set a standard by which all other model kits, regardless of scale or era, are judged.  Sometimes the biggest problem is what markings to apply – or is it how many kits to buy?  Well, Lifelike can help you with one of those problems and hinder the other.

Lifelike has consistently produced first-rate decals for a variety of aircraft.  This time they have turned their attention to the latest from Wingnut Wings, the Fokker D.VII.  WNW has produced no less than four different versions of the greatest WWI fighter plane, those produced by Fokker, OAW, Albatross, and the Fokker F.  Well, you will need some marking help.

The instructions are printed on two single-sided A4 pages in full color.  The thing I like the most about Lifelike is that they aren’t afraid to tell you when they know something or when they’ve had to make educated guesses.  This means a lot to me.  You don’t have to take their word as gospel.

The Trumpeter F-100C is a nice kit, but the cockpit could definitely use some improvement.  The ejection seat is basic at best.

Aires has a multimedia answer for the kit.  Fourteen resin pieces are molded in light grey resin with no blemishes or bubbles anywhere.  The resin pieces are impressive with the amount of detail included on them.  The control stick is particularly nice.  An ejection seat is included, which will include PE belts and buckles upon completion.

Speaking of PE, there is a fret of nickel photo etch.  The fret includes canopy rails, as well as the belts and buckles.  A film of the instrument panel dials and HUD is also included.

The instructions are printed on typical A4-sized light blue paper.  The instructions are easy to understand.  Since the ejection sheet takes up a large part of the cockpit, it is the focus of much of the resin and photo etch.

The kit cockpit sidewalls will have to be thinned down to fit the parts, but nothing too drastic.

Master Model has released a nice detail set for the beautiful F-16.  This pitot tube can be used on the 1/32nd scale Tamiya, Hasegawa, or Academy kits.  Included in the ziplock bag is a separate bag that holds three pieces: a turned metal pitot tube and two Angle of Attack probes for the sides of the nose cone.  Each item is easily attached by drilling a small hole and inserting the metal part.

The reason for using these parts is the susceptibility of the kit’s pitot tube to be broken off during handling.  A more reasonable reason to use them is the scale thickness, as well as their strength.  There are also no mold lines to clean up so they look much more realistic than plastic pieces.

Master Model continues to produce some of the world’s finest turned metal items.  This set is no different.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Master Model and IPMS/USA for the review copy and review opportunity.

 

Plusmodel’s Aero Line continues to release excellent figures for the 1/48th scale modeler, and this one is no different.  Their latest is not one, but two figures, packaged together in a sturdy plastic sleeve mounted on cardstock.  The instructions are in two parts – the front shows the two figures in a small size with all the packaging information, while the back shows the same photo, only much larger and more useful for the modeler.

Inside the plastic holder you get two figures molded in light grey plastic.  Each figure is molded as a single piece with minimal flash and no imperfections.  The flash is easy to remove, as is the mold pour block.  These two figures are perfect for either the first-time figure modeler or the experienced one.  Each figure is unique in its pose and both are very natural-looking.  The faces are sculpted perfectly, as are the flight suits and speed jeans.

The instructions don’t indicate whether the pilots are USAF or USN, but the equipment and helmets look more like USN.  The helmets are the APH-6 type.